Therapists in Makawao, 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.

Aloha as we say in Hawaii! My nickname is 'Rickie' and I would like to welcome you to BetterHelp. You have taken an important first step in reaching out for counseling help. A little about me: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with licenses in VA and HI. I hail from the East Coast originally, and have lived in Hawaii for about ten years. I have 25+ years as a psychotherapist, working with adults. I have worked with a diversity of client populations, ranging from working with the military, LGBT, women's groups, and clients in specialty areas around healing with relationship challenges, self-esteem and building self-confidence, grief and loss, anxiety and stress reduction, managing change, depression, substance abuse, especially alcohol abuse and family impact, incest, trauma, and eating disorders. I draw from several therapeutic styles, including solution-focused, integrative which combines person-centered and psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and Gestalt. I value insight and goal-setting as keys to behavioral change. I can also share with you that I’ve trained with some of the best as mentors and trainers, including Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross-the world's leading authority in grief and loss work, and Virginia Satir-the world's leading expert in family systems and couples work. A fun fact about me: I went up in a hot air balloon to celebrate my 30th birthday! Now let’s talk a bit about your counseling… In these first days and weeks, the process may feel slow at times, but we need to build trust so that I may sync my style to your needs so that you can best achieve your goals. The BetterHelp counseling space is where you have your voice, it is your safe space to express and where you are free to ask questions and freely share about how our process is flowing. Whether this is your first time or not in counseling, it is important that you be open about how things are going. If you are new, I will explain the counseling process along the way. Remember that I am your guide to inspire you forward but you are always in charge of your healing journey. When life knocks us down, we all need a warm heart and safe space where we can sort things through. I am here to help, whether you are navigating life challenges, repairing relationships with yourself and others, healing loss, or building change resilience. Reaching out takes courage. A committed counseling journey leads to healing and peace. I could share that I trained with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and Virginia Satir. I would rather say that I listen to connect, not to judge or reject. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”-African Proverb. Reach out. Let’s explore, together!

Life is a journey of continually coming home to ourselves. Come home to yourself. to your soul. I have spent the last 20+ years working and playing with conscious personal growth, traversing pathways of dark and light, with 15+years of dance and movement meditation as my main spiritual practice. Throughout many years of traveling, I have learned so much from life, different cultures, and teachers of indigenous traditions, and finally, moved to the bay area in 2007 to pursue graduate studies in somatic counseling psychology, and complete licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since moving to the bay area, I have deepened my relationships with movement, worked somatically with elders living with dementia, business and law students, women in recovery, war veterans, rites of passage with youth and in nature with children. It has been through these lenses that I learned the most about how to be with, accept, and move through stuckness, struggle, and transition. My personal experiences all inform me, offering a greater perspective, and are woven together with my training to create a truly unique practice for us to explore together the magic of the healing journey. I offer this wisdom and experience to you, from my own struggles, so that you know you don't have to do this alone. In a session, I will be your companion as we explore together the best way for you to move forward. I offer a calm, solid presence and reverence & joy for life, inviting and supporting you to be with and move through stuckness, struggle and chaos, inspiring and guiding you to listen to your body & connect to yourself, others & the earth so that you can find lightness, freedom, and aliveness, and help you live your purpose meaningfully in the world with integrity and authenticity! I am here to remind you of your deep connection to the earth, so that it may be a resource for you in times of need, holding you and guiding you, teaching you how to be gentle with yourself. It would be an honor to be a companion along your path. You have the map. I can help you read it.

I feel honored when I can instill in people a sense of hope and courage in working towards a change. I work with my clients to create open and safe space where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I know firsthand that it takes courage to pursue an authentic life. I feel connected with you because you have taken the very first step towards a change by reading this. Congratulations on your bravery! I believe in reciprocity and mutual growth in all relationships including ours. My role is to support and empower you to find purpose in your life. I grew up in Japan and have been educated in Tokyo and San Francisco Bay Area. I have a broad range of work and life experience in Japan, Australia and America. I received a master’s degree in counseling with concentration on rehabilitation of people with disabilities. I have provided mental health counseling for the past 10 years as a licensed therapist. I have worked for over 20 years as social worker/case manager in a variety of clinical settings in San Francisco Bay Area and on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I have supported individuals of all ages, children and adults, with or without disabilities. The issues I helped my clients manage include depression, anxiety, trauma, grief & loss, gender identity, cultural adjustment, guilt, shame, self-esteem, motivation, loneliness, purpose, among other emotional and situational challenges. My therapy approach draws influences from Humanistic, Existential, Somatic, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral therapies. I adopt an body-mind (psychosomatic) integrative approach to help people make changes, based on their strengths and preferences. In my therapy room, clients engage in personal reflection by challenging their negative thoughts, with the help of sensory-based exercises, relaxation, and other self-regulation techniques to ease their emotional difficulties. My clients may also explore their past to gain insight into themselves to help them live more authentically in the present. I have seen my clients improve their overall well-being, be it physical, emotional, behavioral, and/or spiritual. We will work together to find what works best for you in order to achieve the most balanced well-being, while seeking practical solutions to your life’s challenges. My philosophy is social justice-driven and culturally responsive to promote the individuality of people of all backgrounds. I particularly feel strongly about supporting those traditionally underserved in the helping professions given my firsthand experience growing up as such. I am particularly sensitive to intersectionality of multiple minority status, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, and socioeconomic status. Most importantly, I believe in what we already have within despite our environment. My role is to be your partner to help you discover or rediscover your inner resources that are yet to be tapped, nurture and use them to move forward in your life.

Born, raised and educated in Hawai`i, Michele Scofield, PhD, LCSW, CSAC, CCTP understands the ethno-cultural dynamics present within the geographic regions of our state. Dr. Scofield has been practicing in the field of addiction, education, and mental health as a Masters-level clinician since 2004 after receiving her Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Hawai`i. She received her Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling with high distinction from the Capella University in 2015 and has been practicing as a licensed clinician on Maui since then. Her expertise in the areas of addiction, family dynamics, mental health, identity, and teaching in higher-education is located within her years of experience relating to these areas of practice.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Dallas Fort-Worth area with over 18 years of experience working with people experiencing anxiety, codependency, attachment issues, depression, grief/loss, family issues and addiction, terminal and/or complex illnesses as well as marriage/family issues. Within the therapeutic relationship, we will work to develop goals to support your individual needs and move towards change. I incorporate a strengths-based counseling approach and cognitive-behavioral tools to identify and support individuals in working through complex issues. I am passionate about helping individuals move forward in life when they feel "stuck." I recognize the strength it takes to move towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. My job is to support you on your journey of faith, hope and healing and I look forward to engaging with you in the future!

I am licensed in Hawaii with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & anger management for over 10 years. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Hawaii with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 7 years of experience. After completing graduate school, I completed a post-graduate fellowship program which allowed me to have an additional year of in-depth clinical training which most therapists do not have. I have experience in helping clients with a wide range of mental and emotional health issues including (but not limited to) stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed to practice in the state of Hawai'i. With over twenty years of professional experience, I help adults cope more effectively with a variety of concerns, including, but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, post-traumatic stress (military deployment, abuse), and various life changes. I collaborate with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. My therapy style and approach are wide-ranging in nature and are largely influenced by evidenced-based treatments that challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and promote skills training in the areas of being present-focused, improving social interactions, managing/tolerating distress, and controlling emotions (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). My experience is varied as I have provided therapy to civilians, active-duty service members, and Veterans in traditional outpatient and residential settings, as well as, remotely via telehealth services. My passion is to meet my clients where they are and to assist them with getting to where they want to be. Taking the first step to achieving a more enriching and satisfying life takes courage. I am here to support my clients along that process.