I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Hawaii with 16 years of professional experience in the field. Throughout my career, I have provided therapeutic and consultative services to individuals across a wide age spectrum, including young children (3 through 13 years old), adolescents (14 to 19 years old), and adults (20 years and older). My journey in the helping profession began in 1995, during which I have held both private (non-profit) and public-sector roles.
“The Conversation” in Sessions
I strongly advocate for the significance of "the conversation" in therapy and counseling, aiming to demystify the counseling experience while acknowledging each client's unique perspectives. My objective is to foster a non-judgmental, authentic virtual environment in which clients feel secure sharing their life narratives, including the circumstances that led to our initial engagement. In Hawaiian culture, this approach is often described as "talking story." Clients are regarded as the foremost authorities on their own life experiences, possessing inherent strengths to address their current challenges, whether or not they recognize them. My role, as I perceive it, is to facilitate this process and provide necessary support.
My "Systemic Perspective”
My specific licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist might suggest a focus on working solely with married couples and families; however, most of my expertise is in providing counseling and therapy to individuals. I approach each case by carefully analyzing the individual's circumstances and the factors that led them to seek help. This is done from a systemic perspective, using a strength-based, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral approach. This "systemic" perspective includes the individual's interactions and relationships across different areas of their life, such as work, family, social activities, and personal experiences. It also considers how these relationships may influence their current attitudes, habits, and behaviors. While the systemic perspective might seem broad at first, it serves as a basic framework—an "initial template"—that allows individuals to share their personal experiences during our sessions.
The Approach and Process in Sessions
In my counseling/therapy sessions, I strive to establish a dynamic process characterized by sharing, exploration, and learning. I employ a strength-based, Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused, and pragmatic approach that emphasizes identifying overarching themes and specific details about the client’s current circumstances that have led them to seek counseling or therapy. This initial phase involves the client narrating their experiences related to their presenting concerns while also expressing their ideal and realistic outcomes.
The primary objective of this process is to formulate pertinent goals and a clear direction for subsequent sessions by pinpointing "exceptions," or instances in the client's life where their presenting concerns either did or did not manifest. Clients are often required to recall particular details surrounding these occurrences, such as the individuals involved, the setting, the time of day, and the relevant time period in their lives—whether past, present, or future. This recollection process may pose challenges and evoke emotional responses.
In instances where a specific memory becomes particularly distressing, the client may choose to take a break, discontinue the discussion entirely, or redirect the conversation to a different subject. It is imperative that the client retains agency and determines when they are prepared to engage with a specific situation.
Assignments and Resources
The BetterHelp platform offers a variety of resources, including worksheets, access to an online journal, and, in certain instances, informational videos. Recognizing that individuals lead busy lives and that their time is valuable, I am careful in my assignment of worksheets, whether they are intended for completion or review. For clients who feel comfortable, I encourage the use of the journal function as a beneficial tool for self-exploration.
Embarking on the journey towards a more fulfilling and joyful life requires courage, commitment, and a readiness to confront the unfamiliar. My colleagues and I, as therapists on this platform, are dedicated to providing support throughout this process.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Compassion fatigue, Communication problems, Multicultural concerns, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy
HI LMFT MFT-229
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Joachin Kaaihue. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Kind insightful man with experience and sensitivity
Written on Jan 17, 2026 after therapy with Joachin for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and anger management
Great therapist and very helpful in stressful situations.
Written on Dec 09, 2025 after therapy with Joachin for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes
Very insightful. Gentle
Guidance
Written on Nov 30, 2025 after therapy with Joachin for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
Joachin has successfully helped me on multiple problems I have sought help for. I quit therapy once and went back because of my confidence in his work.
Written on Oct 03, 2025 after therapy with Joachin for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and self esteem
Joachin Kaaihue is a very experienced and insightful counselor. Each time I speak with him, he asks thoughtful questions that guide me to reflect more deeply and understand myself better, including why I feel the way I do in certain situations. His approach makes me feel heard and supported, and I always leave our sessions with more clarity. I find talking to him very helpful.
Written on Sep 09, 2025 after therapy with Joachin for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
I really appreciated Joachin’s personable and relaxed style. We quickly and easily developed a therapeutic relationship, and I felt very supported by him and our sessions. Definitely especially highly recommend to people who live in Hawaii.?
Written on Aug 07, 2025 after therapy with Joachin for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and adhd