Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Hawaii with 14 years of professional experience. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals of all ages, from young children as young as five years old to middle school-aged children (i.e., 11 – 14 years old), adolescents (i.e., 14 – 19 years old), and adults of various ages. I have worked in the helping profession, in one capacity or another, since 1996. I have worked in both private (non-profit) and public settings.
“The Conversation” in Sessions
I firmly believe in ” the conversation” and, in my way, demystifying the counseling/therapy session while acknowledging the client’s individual experience. The hope is to provide a non-judgmental, honest, virtual environment for the client to share their story. Here in Hawaii, we refer to the “conversation” as a “talking story.” YOU (the client) are the expert on your life story, and whether you know it or not, YOU (the client) possess the strengths that will assist you in overcoming your present challenges–I am here to help.
My “Systemic Perspective”
My specific license (i.e., Marriage and Family Therapist) may suggest I exclusively work with marital couples and families. Most of my experience is with providing counseling/therapy to individuals. I review an individual’s case and what brought them to counseling/therapy through a “systemic” perspective. A “systemic” perspective refers to the individual’s relationship with others in different aspects of their life, i.e., work, family, social, and personal life, and the possible influence it may have on that individual’s current attitudes, habits, and behaviors. The “systemic” perspective may appear broad on the surface; however, it is just the starting point or what I refer to as a “blank canvas” for an individual to fill with their personal experiences during sessions.
The Approach and Process in Sessions
During my counseling/therapy sessions, I aim to create a dynamic process of sharing, exploration, and learning. I adopt a strength-based and pragmatic approach that focuses on identifying general themes and specific details behind the client’s current situation that initially brought them to counseling/therapy. This initial process of sharing includes the client telling their story relative to their “presenting concern(s) and possibly conveying their ideal and realistic outcomes. The primary goal is to develop relative goals and direction for future sessions by identifying “exceptions” or instances within the client’s life where their “presenting concern(s)” did or did not occur. Clients may need to recall specific details of these occurrences, such as the people involved, location, time of day, and period in their lives (past, present, or future), which can sometimes be a challenging and emotional experience. If a specific memory becomes especially difficult, the client may want to take a break, stop altogether, or shift the conversation to another topic–the client decides when they are ready to talk about a particular situation.
Assignments and Resources
The BetterHelp platform provides resources such as worksheets, access to and use of an online journal, and, in some cases, informational videos. I understand that people have their daily lives and that their time is at a premium; therefore, rest assured, I am judicious regarding worksheet assignments, whether they are requested to be completed or just reviewed. If clients feel comfortable doing so, I recommend using the journal function if they are inclined to do so.
The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, a level of commitment, and a willingness to explore the unfamiliar. I and other therapists on this platform are here to support you in this process.
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Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Joachin Kaaihue is a Hawaii-based Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 16 years of professional experience. He is licensed in Hawaii as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (HI LMFT MFT-229) and identifies as a male, non-religious therapist. Over the course of his career he has worked with people across the lifespan, from children as young as five to middle school-aged youth (11-14), adolescents (14-19), and adults of various ages. He has worked in the helping profession since 1996 in both private non-profit and public settings.
Joachin emphasizes what he calls “the conversation” and aims to demystify the counseling process while honoring each client’s individual experience. In Hawaii this approach is often described as “talking story.” He encourages a non-judgmental, honest environment where clients are treated as the experts on their own lives and as the source of strengths that can be used to address current challenges.
Although his professional title is Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Joachin’s work is primarily with individuals. He frames presenting concerns through a systemic perspective – examining a person in relation to work, family, social, and personal contexts – and treats that perspective as an initial blank canvas for exploration during sessions.
In session Joachin uses a pragmatic, strength-based approach that fosters sharing, exploration, and learning. He helps clients identify recurring themes and specific details connected to their presenting concerns, and he works with them to articulate realistic goals and directions for future sessions. Part of this process involves locating exceptions – times when the problem did or did not occur – which may require recalling people, places, times of day, or life periods. When memories become difficult, clients control the pace and can pause or shift the conversation as needed.
Resources such as worksheets, access to an online journal, and occasional informational videos are available to support the therapeutic process. Joachin is mindful of clients’ time and is deliberate about assigning homework; he often recommends the journal option for those who feel comfortable using it but limits requests to what is useful for each individual.
Joachin views the first step toward a more satisfying life as one that takes courage, commitment, and a willingness to explore the unfamiliar. He is available to support clients through that process alongside other therapists as appropriate.
Many people wonder whether remote sessions can truly help. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or navigating life changes, online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as traditional in-person care.
One major benefit is flexibility. Clients can connect with therapists in the format that fits their needs and comfort level – video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging – which makes it easier to maintain consistency and integrate therapy into a busy life.
All participating professionals are licensed, and clients have the option to change therapists if they feel a different fit would be more helpful. Online therapy offers an accessible way to work with qualified therapists while preserving many of the core benefits of face-to-face treatment.
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