(she/her)
New to Grow
I’m a Native Hawaiian LGBTQ+ trauma-informed therapist licensed in the state of Colorado and Arizona with afternoon and weekend availability, who works with adolescents and adults navigating stress, trauma, and life transitions. My approach is grounded in connection, resilience, and cultural humility. I bring both clinical training and the values of my cultural background into my work, creating a space that honors your experiences, identity, and story. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel understood and begin to make sense of your experiences. My goal is to help you build insight, strengthening emotional resilience, and moving toward a more balanced and meaningful life. Please be aware while I work with a wide range of concerns, there are certain situations where another provider may be a better fit. In particular, I typically refer out cases involving active or ongoing legal involvement (e.g., open court cases, custody disputes, or court-mandated services), especially when treatment requires extensive collateral contact, documentation for legal proceedings, or coordination across multiple systems. These situations often benefit from providers who are structured to manage the additional legal, ethical, and time-intensive demands involved. In these contexts, maintaining a clear therapeutic role can become complex, and I aim to ensure that clients receive the most appropriate and effective support for their needs.
In our first session, we’ll focus on getting to know each other and creating a space where you feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. I’ll ask questions to understand your current concerns, your background, and what’s bringing you to therapy now. You don’t need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say, this is a space for you. We’ll also talk about your goals and what you’d like to get out of therapy and begin identifying ways I can support you. My aim is for you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and with a clearer sense of direction.
My work is rooted in trauma-informed care and shaped by both evidence-based practices and cultural values. I focus on helping clients understand how their experiences have shaped them while building practical tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and growth. Values that guide my work include: Alu Like i ka Hana - working collaboratively in alignment with your goals Ho‘onui i ka ‘Ike - supporting growth and trust in your capacity to heal Kūlia i ka Nu‘u - striving toward your highest potential with intention and care I’m known for creating a space that feels both supportive and honest, where you can feel safe to be vulnerable while also being gently challenged to grow. My work is especially meaningful when supporting individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or impacted by past experiences. I am passionate about helping people reconnect with themselves, build resilience, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. I believe therapy should honor the whole person: your story, your culture, your strengths, and your potential. It’s a privilege to walk alongside clients as they heal, grow, and create lasting change in their lives.
I work with individuals navigating a range of challenges, from everyday stressors to more complex emotional and relational difficulties. I enjoy working with people seeking clarity, growth, and more effective ways of coping with life’s challenges. Common concerns I support include: Difficulty managing emotions (e.g., anger, anxiety, feeling shut down) Relationship struggles (conflict, disconnection, trust issues) Parenting challenges (reactivity, guilt, uncertainty about what works) Lingering effects of past experiences, including trauma (e.g., hypervigilance, avoidance, shame) A sense of loss - of safety, identity, connection, or earlier life experiences I tend to work best with individuals who are: Open to self-reflection, even when it feels uncomfortable Curious about the deeper roots of their patterns Interested in learning and engaging with new tools or perspectives Motivated for meaningful, lasting change - not just quick symptom relief Willing to explore emotions with support and guidance
LGBTQ
Life Transitions
Trauma and PTSD
ADHD
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Asian / Asian American
LGBTQ
Pacific Islander
Woman
Adults (18 to 64)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Colorado
EMDR
I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as a psychotherapy approach to help clients process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences. I understand that some memories (especially traumatic ones) can become “stuck” in the brain in a way that keeps them emotionally intense and disruptive. I use bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, while you briefly focus on these memories to support the brain in reprocessing the experience so it becomes less distressing and more fully integrated, similar to how other memories are stored. Additionally, I incorporate Phase 1 and Phase 2 of EMDR into my everyday work to support stabilization and resourcing, helping clients build coping skills, strengthen internal and external resources, and develop a greater sense of safety and emotional regulation even if we are not doing EMDR.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing as a collaborative, evidence-based approach to help clients explore mixed feelings about change. Rather than directing or pressuring, I work with you to uncover your own motivations, build confidence, and move at a pace that feels right for you.
Trauma Informed Care
I practice Trauma-Informed Care by recognizing the impact of past experiences on present-day challenges. I prioritize safety, collaboration, and choice in our work together, ensuring that you feel respected, in control, and supported throughout the therapeutic process.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy as a practical, goal-oriented approach to help you build on your strengths and create meaningful change. I focus on what’s already working rather than staying stuck in problems, and I collaborate with you to take small, effective steps toward the life you want.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a structured, skills-based approach to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and develop practical coping strategies that support lasting change, while integrating trauma-informed and relational perspectives to meet each client’s unique needs.