I like to think of the journey to healing as a path back to one’s self. It’s incredibly easy to lose bits and pieces of ourselves when trying to recalibrate after traumatic experiences, reacquainting yourself from Covid isolation, or just trying to function every day waking up to the current state of the world.
Perhaps you’ve pushed your emotional needs aside in this process, or you just haven’t had the time, desire, understanding of what those needs are. In therapy I’d like to offer a safe space to truly slow down. A space you get to make for yourself where you can allow yourself to be seen and heard even if just for an hour a week. As a proud Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiian) woman on her own path of healing and unpacking intergenerational trauma, I hold a deep space and calling for (but am not limited to) working with other BIPOC individuals.
Social justice, anti-racism, advocacy for LGBTQIA2+ and all marginalized groups, as well as protection of all native/sacred land, are core values that inform my therapeutic work. Within this western modality of work, I like to create space for your native, cultural, and spiritual practices of healing, however that shows up for you. was born and raised in Hawai’i and completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at University of Hawai’i in Hilo.
I then spent seven years in the Bay Area and completed my MA in Integral Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. A few things that bring me deep gratitude are long hikes and cooking savory soups and stews. I also love singing karaoke even though it’s terrifying to sing in front of others! And I absolutely adore being a super Aunty to my niece and nephew.
I work from a truly client-centered orientation; This means our therapeutic work is co-creative. With deep listening and attunement, I follow your lead and we can work together at a pace that is most comfortable for you. I also utilize CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Narrative Therapy.
With these modalities we can begin to identify unhelpful/harmful thought patterns and belief systems that may be running on autopilot, investigate their validity, and try to replace those that are simply untrue. In this process, I like to utilize Parts Work Therapy, Mindfulness, and Somatic Therapy.