Yelena Theofilatos, MSW, LSW
Licensed Social Worker
*Seeing Clients Online Via Telehealth & In Our Hilo Office*
Yelena Theofilatos, LSW, has come a long way to be a therapist in Hawai’i. Born and raised in Russia, at the age of 20 she left her home country in search of a better life and settled in New York City. She completed her master degree studies at the Columbia University School of Social Work in 2019 and turned her eyes to the West. Thus, in September 2019, by a stroke of luck Yelena came to the Big Island and had fallen in love with it right away.
She became LSW in 2020 but due to the pandemic and the hiring freeze on all social work positions in the state, Yelena was not able to find employment. Yelena channeled her energy into gardening and studying some more. Since 2022, Yelena has been running a small coaching practice where she is helping primarily female clients struggling with Anxiety and Depression.
Now, as a member of Pau Hana Counseling team, Yelena is committed to continue teaching the people she is working with about the power of self-compassion, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation, all in the name of long lasting healing and resiliency.
Her specialties include hypnotherapy and solution-focused therapy to help you discover your underutilized strengths and learn new skills so that you can feel motivated and hopeful and calm, regardless of what life throws at you.