Pre Licensed Professionals
*Availability varies, please call to inquire*
Tom Kirkham, MA, PhD in progress
Clinical Psychology Pre-licensed Professional
* Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health And In Our Hilo Office *
Tom is a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health at Saybrook University. Tom also received his MA in Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology. Tom wrote his master's thesis on the therapeutic use of the circular art form known as mandalas. Tom earned his BA in Human Development at Prescott College. There he worked with the Prescott Unified School District to create recreation-based behavioral interventions for 8-10 year-olds diagnosed with ADHD. In the following years, Tom supported overall wellness for people of all ages as a somatic therapist and holistic counselor for individuals and couples. Tom integrates humanistic approaches to various therapeutic modalities in an open-ended framework.
Tom's modalities include client-centered therapy, Jungian approaches to clinical intervention, personal mythology and dream-work, motivational interviewing, hypnosis, therapeutic use of breath, energy, and movement, mandala drawing, therapeutic group facilitation, mindfulness-based clinical interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, shamanic psychology, yoga psychology, somatic psychology, eco-psychology, meditation and therapeutic rite of passage experiences. Tom believes that each person has an innate ability to activate inner resources to support them in moving toward mental health and wholeness. Tom believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship to help clients to connect with their internal self-healing resources, including self-compassion, self-forgiveness, boundaries, and accountability.
Isabella Dagher, MA , PhD in Progress
Clinical Psychology Prelicensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Oahu Office*
Isabella Dagher is a pre-licensed clinical psychology professional from Saybrook University with a master’s in clinical psychology and is currently obtaining her Ph.D. Isabella believes in a holistic approach that addresses the intersection between one’s mind, body, culture, and creative spirit. Isabella supports you in facilitating the meditative spaces for you to experience a sense of rest and reset, transform stuckness or feelings of psychological and somatic pain, build capacity and awareness towards empowering change, anchor in compassion and forgiveness, and nourish your own self-healer. With Isabella’s offering of integrative somatic therapy, you will experience a humanistic, holistic, and customized therapy that addresses your underlying and root causes of concern while embracing your spiritual and cultural life journey. With your collaboration, Isabella provides a gentle yet experiential approach to therapy that is tailored to your neurodiverse and community-sensitive experiences and needs. Her expertise consists of working with teens, adults, and elders who are navigating mood and relationship issues, complex trauma and PTSD, chronic illness, hormonal and endocrine issues, altered, non-ordinary states (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia, dissociation, psychedelic experiences, and lucid dreaming), spiritual crises and emergencies, as well as diverse, multicultural experiences. As a first-generation immigrant and member of a multiethnic family, Isabella welcomes unique relational experiences and honors each individual’s extraordinary connection to culture, spirituality/religiousness, and community.
Misty T. Bradley, MS , LMT, PhD in progress
Clinical Psychology Pre-licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health And In Our Kona Lunapule Office*
Misty T. Bradley (she/they), MS, LMT is trained to work with couples, families, and individuals. She has experience in helping clients with relationship issues, immigrant care, religious trauma, family conflicts, stress, anxiety, motivation, self-worth, accountability, and trauma. She provides trauma-informed care to address a dysregulated nervous system through somatic (body-focused) interventions, emotionally focused therapy, and resilience-building skills. She is additionally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and treats acute and developmental trauma. Misty takes great care to decolonize the therapeutic space. She specializes in LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, blended and non-traditional families, and teens.
As a marriage and family therapy practitioner, Misty considers how our first relationships with family and community impact our ability to interact with our inner selves and the external world. For her clients, she listens and offers a safe space of empathy and culturally sensitive care.
Misty connects deeply to our islands; O‘ahu’s south surf shores and Palolo Valley’s daily rains shaped her young adult life. She lives in Kailua-Kona town with her blended family, dog, and cats.
Adabelle Balatico Carson MA, 500 E-RYT, PhD in Progress
Clinical Psychology Pre-licensed Professional
* Seeing Clients Online via Telehealth Only *
As a dedicated counseling professional, I am deeply committed to helping individuals, couples, and families rediscover their inherent strengths and navigate life's challenges. With a foundation in empathy, respect, and a belief in each person's wholeness, my approach is tailored to support you in reconnecting with your inner resources for healing and growth. My educational background includes a BS in Psychology from the University of Utah and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Hawai'i Hilo. I am currently advancing my expertise by pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Utah.
I bring a wealth of experience and training to my practice, including over 19 years as a trauma-informed yoga teacher (500 E-RYT), alongside certifications in breathwork, meditation, Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and as a Certified MARI® Practitioner. My therapeutic approach integrates mindfulness and body-centered techniques with an integrative modality encompassing humanistic, cognitive, and behavioral frameworks. This blend allows me to help you better understand yourself and your challenges, equipping you with tools to lead a life marked by ease, satisfaction, and presence.
In our sessions, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. I am honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery.
Melissa St. Claire, MA, CHT
Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional
* Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health Only *
Melissa’s experience in the healing arts spans over two decades. Early in her career as a bodyworker, she began to recognize the body-mind connection. She found that by bringing the body and mind together in conversation, her clients experienced wisdom, emotional freedom and ease from within.
Melissa trained intensely for over four years with Somatic Therapy pioneer, Ilana Rubenfeld and deepened her studies with Dr. Bessel Van der Koch and Peter Levine, PhD. Melissa is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space for people to integrate body, mind, emotions and spirit, while exploring new ways of thinking, feeling and living in their bodies.
Melissa received her Masters Degree in Professional Clinical Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University in 2019. She combines various comprehensive methodologies tailored to each client. She believes all humans are resilient, adaptable and capable of change and is committed to supporting her clients in the process of healing and recovery while finding greater self-awareness and life satisfaction.
Petra Parvati Meedt, MA, MS
Marriage and Family Therapy Pre-licensed Professional
* Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health Only *
Petra Parvati Meedt, MA, MS is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern offering telehealth therapy for individuals, couples, and families in English and Spanish. Additionally, to being a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern in Hawaii, she is a Licensed Psychologist in Puerto Rico, a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in Texas, and a Clinical Hypnotherapist and certified Yoga Teacher. She is member of the American Psychological Association (APA), United States Association of Body Psychotherapy (USABP), and the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD).
Petra has more than 10 years of experience as a Counselor, Clinician, Facilitator, Teacher and Program Coordinator. She has worked with immigrant children and adolescents at a Transition Shelter in Texas, where she developed and supervised a Mindfulness Intervention Center. She has conducted support groups for women that have experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse and offered weekly group and individual therapeutic sessions within the context of Ecopsychology at a substance abuse rehabilitation center for homeless men. In collaboration with a religious institution, she has designed and coordinated a pilot program for adolescent mothers and their children to support mother-child bonding through therapeutic interventions, yoga, music, and art therapy. Her approach to therapy is integrative and person-centered, using evidence-based techniques from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Mindfulness, Ecopsychology and Humanistic Psychology. In therapy, she offers a safe space and honors the autonomy and uniqueness of each person, supporting them to explore difficult emotions, challenges, extraordinary (and ordinary) experiences, dreams, and traumatic events to find within themselves the resources and resilience necessary for transformation, healing, and growth.
Emily Powers, MA
Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
Emily Powers is a pre-licensed counseling professional who is passionate about helping people overcome their challenges & achieve their goals. She earned her BA from St. Edward’s University in 2020, and currently holds a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Emily specializes in assisting individuals navigating the impacts of traumatic exposure. Whether this be recovery from a car accident, sexual assault, time spent in the armed forces, repeated abuse in childhood or another circumstance, Emily strives to facilitate a space of healing for individuals of all backgrounds. Emily is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, which works to lower an individual’s emotional and somatic arousal regarding their memories and experiences. EMDR is also helpful for individuals struggling with chronic and pervasive negative cognitions, (or beliefs) about themselves, others or the world— such as “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not safe,” or “I can’t trust anyone,” etc.
Emily has a diverse professional background, and also serves individuals navigating the impacts of Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Life Transitions and other forms of mental health difficulties. Emily uses a multimodal approach in therapy, tailoring her interventions to the needs and preferences of each client. She integrates techniques from other modalities to provide talk therapy, utilizing Mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Internal Family Systems and Nature-based interventions to offer a holistic and individualized treatment plan for every client.
Hannah Beck, MA
Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Oahu Office*
Hannah Beck graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Psychology, as well as a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from U.H. Hilo. She is also a certified personal trainer and believes in the power of facilitating psychological growth through strengthening the mind-body connection. Hannah primarily utilizes a trauma-informed approach involving IFS modalities and is trained in EMDR. She is passionate about creating personalized plans that accommodate client-specific needs, while promoting a safe and validating therapeutic environment.
Hannah has primarily worked with individuals of all ages presenting with anxiety, depression and trauma pathology in private practice. During her internship year, she served as a school counselor at Leeward Community College as well. Hannah has also held the position of research and teaching assistant during her baccalaureate pursuits and therefore strongly emphasizes empirically supported interventions in her practice. Hannah is a personable, nonjudgmental and empathetic counselor who is excited about providing an authentic and comfortable space to help facilitate growth and healing.
Soph Kershaw, MA
Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Oahu Office*
Soph is a warmhearted, compassion based counselor with a strong belief in the healing power of connection. Soph specializes in the treatment of trauma and the impact it has on our capacity to authentically connect to both ourselves and others.
Soph’s approach is holistic and personalized to each individual’s needs. They believe in the importance of combining both “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches to trauma healing. Top-down therapy starts in the mind; it helps individuals make sense of their experiences, core beliefs, and reframe their perspectives. Bottom-up therapy starts in the body; it provides a somatic, nervous system based approach to emotion regulation and releasing trauma from the body.
Soph holds a BA in psychology from Georgetown University, an MA in education from Johns Hopkins University, and is completing their MA in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo.
Soph works with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. They have served both children and adults navigating the impacts of post traumatic stress disorder, complex post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, Soph is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and has significant experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals.
Soph is excited to connect with you, learn more about you, and support you as you move through the different seasons of your one wild and precious life.
Mayumi Ishikawa, MA, LPC
Mental Health Counseling Pre-Licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
Mayumi Ishikawa is a pre-licensed therapist who obtained a Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Northwestern University. She recently obtained her LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) credentials in Illinois. She began her professional journey in nature-based therapy, which she has a deep love and respect for.
Mayumi has a diverse background, being mixed-race and having lived in Asia, Europe and America. She also has a wide range of professional experiences working with individuals with mild to crippling cases of adjustment challenges, ADHD, depression and anxiety, OCD, self-esteem issues, trauma and more. She welcomes clients from all walks of life and is ready to collaborate on any challenges brought to session.
Mayumi practices from a psychodynamic approach, integrating other modalities based on the needs of each individual. As the first step to change is through building awareness and acceptance, a big part of the initial work is looking at emotions, cognitions, behaviors and the in-body experience. Mayumi is a big believer of treating the person in their entirety, thus she maintains a holistic perspective and weaves in evidence-based and mindfulness-based therapeutic interventions.
Mayumi is dedicated to seeing the best in people and is ready to join you on the path to healing, to achieve the changes you want in life.
Akiko Taira, MA
Mental Health Counseling Pre-Licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
I completed my Masters in Clinical Counseling Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. I am bilingual, speaking both English and Japanese. I am passionate about providing a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore self-discovery and healing. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with diverse populations, including children with externalizing behaviors, anxiety, depression, and particularly, children with Autism and ADHD and their families. My passion is rooted in children and families striving to find a better life with appropriate support and early interventions while worried about their children's future. I am also culturally sensitive and work with Japanese populations in Hawaii to overcome their challenges. I am trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), which emphasizes improving the quality of the parent-child relationship, changing the parent-child patterns, and using cognitive-behavioral therapy protocols such as Coping Cat. I prioritize building trust and creating a sense of belonging.
My counseling approach is integrative and person-centered. I believe in integrating different approaches to meet each individual's unique needs and offer an individualized treatment plan with a comprehensive understanding of each individual. I hope to walk alongside my clients for their wellness and happiness.
Sonia Z. Shalhout , MA
Marriage and Family Therapy Pre-licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
Relationships and the mind-body-spirit connection are my passion!
Fostering a safe space for you to get in touch with, express and process your emotions is paramount to healing. From this safe space, we will collaborate to cultivate authentic connections to yourself and others, to your creativity and spirituality, and to the natural world in ways that are meaningful to you. I am passionate about supporting you in uncovering and addressing the emotions, family history, patterns of interaction, storylines and social circumstances that challenge these connections.
I work within a humanistic, person-centered framework. A compassionate, trauma-informed, and transpersonal approach will shape our work. Together, we can remember your strength and support your healing through issues around anxiety, family/couple dynamics, spirituality, life transitions, grief and past trauma using Emotionally Focused Therapy and weaving in elements of Mindfulness-Based, Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapies.
Sonia received her Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Psychology from Washington State University in 2011 with honors and participated in psychological research on women’s international experiences in healthcare, the impact of emotional disclosure on rheumatoid arthritis experiences and the social impact of the opioid epidemic during her studies. After over a decade of unique lived experiences and studies in simple living, permaculture farming, serving as an educator in alternative schools and traveling as a first-generation Palestinian-American wife and mother of three children, she began to pursue her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northcentral University with a passion for relationships and a devotion to support others on their healing path.
Juyeon (Julia) Suh, MA
Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Oahu Office*
Hello fellow humans. My name is Juyeon and I was born in South Korea but raised on Oahu since I was a toddler. You may also call me Julia. I am a deeply curious individual who loves learning about other people and the world I move around in. Psychotherapy gives me the great pleasure of supporting others dive more deeply into who they are, their being in the world and exploring the relationships humans have with themselves and others. I believe in honesty, respect, patience, compassion, and collaborative communication as a few fundamental tenets to healthy relationships.
My approach to counseling lies under an existential-humanistic umbrella which means I am interested in all topics between life and death such as encountering change, love, meaning, responsibility, loneliness, pain, and the transcendent. Under this umbrella, I am influenced by trauma-informed theories, principles from mindfulness-based philosophies (Buddhism, ACT), cognitive neuroscience, family systems, psychodynamic and behavioral approaches. I carry with me an endless awe for life with all its absurdity, joys, and suffering. I invite you to explore what it means to live an authentically attuned life. Some of these moments will be playful, some of them deep, some of them uncomfortably hard, and some of them gracefully easy. I’ll be there with you step by step as you open yourself to wholeness and flourishing.
I received my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from University of Hawaii at Manoa. I am currently finishing my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through University of Hawaii at Hilo. When I’m not working, you can find me swimming in the ocean, hiking amidst the trees, floating in rivers and bases of waterfalls, dancing under a disco ball, or simply cozying up on the couch with my partner, some yummy snacks, and a good movie.
Relationships are at the foundation of a life well lived, and I look forward to building ours together.
Ja’ie Victorine-Dyment, BA, MS in Progress
Mental Health Counseling Master’s Student
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Ja’ie Victorine-Dyment, moved from Hāna, Maui to the Big Island in 2015 with a deep desire to give back to the community that helped shape me. Ja’ie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a focus on children and adolescent mental health disorders.
Ja’ie’s passion lies in supporting local youth and families by providing compassionate, culturally sensitive care that respects the unique strengths and challenges within our island communities. She strongly believes in the importance of early intervention and creating safe spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
As she continues her education and clinical training, her goal is to help build a healthier, more connected Hawai‘i—one child, one family, and one conversation at a time.
Layn Taylor Grace, BA , MA In Progress
Marriage & Family Therapy Master’s Student
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
Layn Taylor Grace is a Native Hawaiian from the Island of Hawai‘i. She is passionate about supporting individuals and families through connection, healing, and growth, values deeply rooted in her upbringing and culture.
Layn Taylor earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Family Life with an emphasis in Human Development and Gerontology. Currently, she is in her final year at National University pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Her clinical approach is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a strengths-based perspective. Layn Taylor is committed to fostering a safe, collaborative, and respectful therapeutic environment where clients feel empowered to explore challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change. She values each individual’s unique story and brings a deep sense of purpose to her work, honoring both her professional training and cultural heritage as she supports individuals, couples, and families on their path toward healing and well-being.
Jason Donaldson, MA
Mental Health Counseling Pre-Licensed Professional
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*
I assist individuals, couples, and families in navigating life’s challenges with compassion and clarity. With a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and years of experience in both clinical and holistic practices, I bring a grounded yet expansive approach to healing and growth.
My work integrates traditional therapy with supportive practices such as breathwork, meditation, movement, and energy awareness, combined with a galactic perspective that helps clients see their lives through a wider lens of possibility and meaning. This combination helps clients regulate the nervous system, release old patterns, and reconnect with their deeper sense of Self.
I specialize in working with depression, anxiety, ADHD, energy sensitivity, and neurodiverse populations. I also assist clients with the integration of peak emotional experiences, whether arising from trauma, kundalini activations, plant medicine journeys, or significant life transitions. My goal is to guide you toward greater peace, resilience, and authenticity; while offering practical tools you can carry into daily life.
Hello, my name is Nicholas Takaoka. I am a Masters of Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Chaminade university. My current therapeutic focus is in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am working on completing my internship hours at Pau Hana Counseling. I have a deep passion for helping couples, families, and individuals improve their communication, behaviors, and skills in order to facilitate more honest and open relationships. My intention is to empower individuals and help them build the skills they need, so they can start living their best lives.
I was born on Maui but raised in Puna on the Big Island. I didn’t take the traditional path with my education. I took several breaks and spent time as a working musician while I completed my BA in Performing Arts Music from University of Hawai`i at Hilo. The unconventional path I took led all over the globe and gave me a wide range of experiences helped me to broaden my perspective of the world, the many people that populate it, and the diverse lives we all live.
As a counselor, I strive to bring a humanist and culturally sensitive approach to therapy. I believe that creating an empathetic and secure therapeutic bond is absolutely essential to helping clients achieve their goals. In this sense, I like to take a strengths base approach and build upon the client’s preexisting qualities in order to affect change in their lives. I also enjoy challenging established norms and working to level out disparate power dynamics. I hope that we can work together to help you find the wellness and happiness that you want..
Nicholas Takaoka, MA
Marriage & Family Therapy Intern
*Seeing Clients Online Via Tele-Health & In Our Hilo Office*