Therapists in Paia, HI

Aloha, I am Dr. Edward Suarez. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience consulting, training and providing mental health services to a wide range of individuals around the world, including Florida, Hawaii and recently, headquartered in Morocco helping U.S. Peace Corps volunteers adjust to life in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. I received my doctoral degree from the University of Hawaii, specializing in cross-cultural approaches to severe mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, bipolar and major depression) but since then have expanded my expertise into areas of adjustment, stress & coping, anxiety (including social anxiety, OCD and phobias) My training and therapeutic approach focus on using best practices such as client-centered, trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), including mindfulness and motivational interviewing, designed to help my clients efficiently assess and address problems in the here and now in order to achieve timely and lasting improvements. Usually this begins with a holistic assessment and focus on each person's health, diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, socialization, stress coping skills and self-care regimen, in addition to any additional specific concerns of each client I serve. My therapeutic approach emphasizes rapport building, empathic listening, radical acceptance, genuineness, and helping client's develop interpersonal (communication), intrapersonal (mental hygiene) and problem-solving skills so they can build on therapy to independently maximize their potential. The therapeutic relationship involves mutual collaboration in creating a client-based and client-driven plan so we can honestly assess and document progress and client readiness to successfully graduate and move on in a reasonable amount of time, typically just 1-2 months.

Are you looking to make meaningful change in your life? Do you want to feel more present, authentic and connected to yourself and others? Whether you are feeling stuck in life or are navigating a life-altering event or post-traumatic stress, I am here to provide a safe, nonjudgemental space for you to overcome your obstacles and concerns. I know from both personal and professional experiences that each of us has the ability to awaken to the truth and find our light, even in the darkest of times. I can help guide you back to return home to your innate mental health and true nature, which is peace and wellbeing itself. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC in both Hawaii and Arizona. I was born and raised here in Phoenix, AZ. I served active duty in the US Navy, then post military became a city firefighter-paramedic in Virginia Beach, VA. I eventually graduated with my BA in Psychology from ASU (Go Devils!). I graduated with my Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2016. I've worked as an inpatient therapist with adolescent youth, then moved on to working for the VA in social work with homeless veterans. I started my career in mental health while living in Honolulu, Hawaii for over 6 years and worked with a wide variety of populations of clients in various community and public school settings. My last job in Hawaii was as a Military & Family Life Counselor working with service members and their families at Joint-Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu. I've since moved back home to Phoenix and became licensed here in Arizona. For the past 3 years, I've been enjoying working as an independent online therapist on various platforms.

I am a marriage and family therapist by training but I have worked with many individuals, adolescents, and their families. I have over 15 years of counseling experience. I have worked with clients that have a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, and other life challenges. I also helped many people who have experienced trauma or abuse. My counseling style is interactive, supportive, and empowering. I believe in treating clients with dignity and respect. I focus on what is strong in people versus what is wrong. My approach combines solution focused as well as narrative therapy (the story of a person's life), and systems theory (focusing on the various factors that might be contributing to your issues and concerns). We will collaboratively develop a treatment plan that is unique to your situation and needs. It takes courage to ask for help and I am willing and able to support you in your journey towards a better life. I believe that counseling can be a catalyst for important changes. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to listen and provide tools to support your journey. I look forward to working with you!

What ails you? I believe many of our issues stem from a lack of understanding and acceptance. I would like to be able to provide a space in which you can explore and reflect on the experiences that have brought you to seek help. I take a non directive, collaborative approach incorporating person centered, existential, interpersonal, and harm reduction philosophies. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” - Alan Watts

I am recently licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Hawaii with over 29 years of professional work experience in a non-profit and in the public sector. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Hawaii is home and I have had the privilege of working with many people over my 25 years of being a therapist. I have extensive experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you already have many tools that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Sometimes we may need a sounding board and a listening ear for support. Reaching out takes courage and to take the first steps towards a change can sometimes feel daunting. I am here to encourage & empower you in that journey. I look forward to working with you and having you discover all of the strength that already exists in you.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Hawaii with 14 years of professional experience. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals of all ages, from young children as young as five years old to middle school-aged children (i.e., 11 - 14 years old), adolescents (i.e., 14 - 19 years old), and adults of various ages. I have worked in the helping profession, in one capacity or another, since 1996. I have worked in both private (non-profit) and public settings. “The Conversation” in Sessions I firmly believe in " the conversation" and, in my way, demystifying the counseling/therapy session while acknowledging the client's individual experience. The hope is to provide a non-judgmental, honest, virtual environment for the client to share their story. Here in Hawaii, we refer to the "conversation" as a "talking story." YOU (the client) are the expert on your life story, and whether you know it or not, YOU (the client) possess the strengths that will assist you in overcoming your present challenges--I am here to help. My "Systemic Perspective” My specific license (i.e., Marriage and Family Therapist) may suggest I exclusively work with marital couples and families. Most of my experience is with providing counseling/therapy to individuals. I review an individual's case and what brought them to counseling/therapy through a "systemic" perspective. A "systemic" perspective refers to the individual's relationship with others in different aspects of their life, i.e., work, family, social, and personal life, and the possible influence it may have on that individual's current attitudes, habits, and behaviors. The "systemic" perspective may appear broad on the surface; however, it is just the starting point or what I refer to as a "blank canvas” for an individual to fill with their personal experiences during sessions. The Approach and Process in Sessions During my counseling/therapy sessions, I aim to create a dynamic process of sharing, exploration, and learning. I adopt a strength-based and pragmatic approach that focuses on identifying general themes and specific details behind the client's current situation that initially brought them to counseling/therapy. This initial process of sharing includes the client telling their story relative to their "presenting concern(s) and possibly conveying their ideal and realistic outcomes. The primary goal is to develop relative goals and direction for future sessions by identifying "exceptions" or instances within the client's life where their "presenting concern(s)" did or did not occur. Clients may need to recall specific details of these occurrences, such as the people involved, location, time of day, and period in their lives (past, present, or future), which can sometimes be a challenging and emotional experience. If a specific memory becomes especially difficult, the client may want to take a break, stop altogether, or shift the conversation to another topic--the client decides when they are ready to talk about a particular situation. Assignments and Resources The BetterHelp platform provides resources such as worksheets, access to and use of an online journal, and, in some cases, informational videos. I understand that people have their daily lives and that their time is at a premium; therefore, rest assured, I am judicious regarding worksheet assignments, whether they are requested to be completed or just reviewed. If clients feel comfortable doing so, I recommend using the journal function if they are inclined to do so. The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, a level of commitment, and a willingness to explore the unfamiliar. I and other therapists on this platform are here to support you in this process. .

I'm licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist in Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, and Texas with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & anger management. I work with my clients by creating an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

May you feel validated in your quest to explore the mystery and beauty that lies in your healing and desires. As we watch our modern world rapidly evolve under mounting social and environmental pressures, I believe that inner and outer healing is now more important than ever. As a trauma-informed therapist, I honor peoples' experiences by being affirming, inclusive, and non-judging whatever the challenge(s) may be. I emphasize honoring and preserving a person’s autonomy. As someone with a personal and professional background shaped by lived experiences, I come to this work with a passion for creating a space. Today, I use a variety of techniques for helping people access insight, communication tools, role play, mindfulness, and cognitive inquiry to assist behavioral change and growth. I want us to discover what works best for you as you navigate what you need to be your most effective self. I enjoy explaining the mysteries of the human condition in simple words and finding practical application in practices that you can implement into your life. I like to help people feel understood, confront their joys and pains, and be motivated to change. All this gives me energy when I wake up in the morning.

I am licensed in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Hawaii with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.