Anuhea considers herself human first, therapist second. She recognizes reciprocity between herself and her clients, focusing on pilina (connection), unlike western clinicians who often center themselves as the experts. Anuhea talks story with her clients to explore what they believe their challenges and needs are. Then, she helps them identify realistic and impactful goals with a step-by-step plan to achieve them. Anuhea aims to empower her fellow Kānaka with both traditional and modern knowledge, skills, and resources that strengthen their confidence in managing all that life throws at them. 

Anuhea considers herself human first, therapist second. She recognizes reciprocity between herself and her clients, focusing on connection, unlike western clinicians who often center themselves as the experts. Anuhea talks story with her clients to explore what they believe their problems and needs are. Then, she helps them identify realistic and impactful goals with a step-by-step plan to achieve them. Anuhea aims to empower her fellow Kānaka with both traditional and modern knowledge, skills, and resources that strengthen their confidence in managing all that life throws at them. 

Anuhea enjoys researching genealogy and fostering deeper connections. Many lines of her family history trace back to Hawai'i in addition to Germany, England, France, Scotland, Japan, Ireland, and Guam. Anuhea strives to honor her Kūpuna by accepting all parts of herself and helps her clients do the same.

 

"To know one's moʻokūʻauhau is to know the ancient and endless expression of which one is an extension of in this life."

Kahakaʻio Ravenscraft

 

 

Anuhea enjoys researching genealogy and fostering deeper connections. Many lines of her family history trace back to Hawai'i in addition to Germany, England, France, Scotland, Japan, Ireland, and Guam. Anuhea strives to honor her Kūpuna by accepting all parts of herself and helps her clients do the same.

How It Began

Anuhea recognized the lack of Native Hawaiian Therapists in practicing in Hawaiʻi when she was searching for personal support and as she looked for a supervisor in order to complete her therapy licensure process.

Anuhea knew that Native Hawaiians suffer from alarming rates of negative mental health associated risk factors, which stem from colonization and was saddened to know that there were few culturally-aligned therapy options available.

Anuhea experienced the frustration of receiving health care services from professionals who do not truly understand the history of our people, are not fully aware of the roles they play in the many systems of oppression that still exist, and who inevitably perpetuate further harm.

It was then that Kanaka to Kanaka was born; A dream to provide mental health therapy, education, and support for Hawaiians by Hawaiians.

How It Began

Anuhea recognized the lack of Native Hawaiian Therapists in practicing in Hawaiʻi when she was searching for personal support and as she looked for a supervisor in order to complete her therapy licensure process.

Anuhea knew that Native Hawaiians suffer from alarming rates of negative mental health associated risk factors, which stem from colonization and was saddened to know that there were few culturally-aligned therapy options available.

Anuhea experienced the frustration of receiving health care services from professionals who do not truly understand the history of our people, are not fully aware of the roles they play in the many systems of oppression that still exist, and who inevitably perpetuate further harm.

It was then that Kanaka to Kanaka was born; A dream to provide mental health therapy, education, and support for Hawaiians by Hawaiians.

Kanaka to Kanaka's mission is to normalize and empower Native Hawaiian mental health and wellbeing.

 

 

 

Kanaka to Kanaka's vision is to expand accessibility of mental healthcare for Native Hawaiians that is culturally-aligned, trauma-informed, and provided Kanaka to Kanaka.

  Values

Ea

Kanaka to Kanaka honors the life, sovereignty and rising of all human beings by…

  • Prioritizing choice and consent to empower self-determination

  • Recognizing various lived experiences to cultivate validation and

  • Aligning language to promote trust and inclusion   

 

Pilina

Kanaka to Kanaka values the relationships between all living things…

  • Fostering brave spaces where individuals can access safety and form nurturing attachments with self, family, community, natural resources, and divinity

  • Practicing integrity by choosing what is right over what is convenient, comfortable, quick, easy or temporarily enjoyable

  • Holding all accountable for our impacts in the world

 

Kanaka Holoʻokoʻa

Kanaka to Kanaka recognizes the full humanity of all people by…

  • Taking a multidimensional approach to healing that attunes to the whole person

  • Considering all aspects of health; physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, vocational, recreational, spiritual & environmental

  • Respecting the capacity of self and others and exercising healthy boundaries

 

‘Imi Naʻauao

Kanaka to Kanaka prioritizes the quest for knowledge and enlightenment by…

  • Looking to the past and present in order to better the future

  • Understanding the interdependence between roles as teacher and student

  • Seeking to connect with and understand others despite differences

Mission

Kanaka to Kanaka's mission is to normalize and empower Native Hawaiian mental health and wellbeing.

 

Vision

Kanaka to Kanaka's vision is to expand accessibility of mental healthcare for Native Hawaiians that is culturally-aligned, trauma-informed, and provided Kanaka to Kanaka.

 

 Values

Ea

Kanaka to Kanaka honors the life, sovereignty and rising of all human beings by…

  • Prioritizing choice and consent to empower self-determination

  • Recognizing various lived experiences to cultivate validation and

  • Aligning language to promote trust and inclusion   

 

Pilina

Kanaka to Kanaka values the relationships between all living things…

  • Fostering brave spaces where individuals can access safety and form nurturing attachments with self, family, community, natural resources, and divinity

  • Practicing integrity by choosing what is right over what is convenient, comfortable, quick, easy or temporarily enjoyable

  • Holding all accountable for our impacts in the world

 

Kanaka Holoʻokoʻa

Kanaka to Kanaka recognizes the full humanity of all people by…

  • Taking a multidimensional approach to healing that attunes to the whole person

  • Considering all aspects of health; physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, vocational, recreational, spiritual & environmental

  • Respecting the capacity of self and others and exercising healthy boundaries

 

‘Imi Naʻauao

Kanaka to Kanaka prioritizes the quest for knowledge and enlightenment by…

  • Looking to the past and present in order to better the future

  • Understanding the interdependence between roles as teacher and student

  • Seeking to connect with and understand others despite differences

  • Longs for their life to change and improve
  • Committed to at least 4-6 sessions to see if we're a good fit
  • Open to talking-story about thoughts, feelings, and experiences
  • Willing to observe, practice, and experiment with simple strategies between sessions
  • Comfortable providing honest feedback in order for therapist to personalize approach
  • Wants to work with someone who understands the systemic injustices that BIPOC minorities navigate today
  • Yearns for Native Hawaiian values, practices, and language to be apart of the therapeutic process
  • Open to incorporating the modern therapy approaches too, when they are aligned

Ideal Client

  • Longs for their life to change and improve
  • Committed to at least 4-6 sessions to see if we're a good fit
  • Open to talking-story about thoughts, feelings, and experiences
  • Willing to observe, practice, and experiment with simple strategies between sessions
  • Comfortable providing honest feedback in order for therapist to personalize approach
  • Wants to work with someone who understands the systemic injustices that BIPOC minorities navigate today
  • Yearns for Native Hawaiian values, practices, and language to be apart of the therapeutic process
  • Open to incorporating the modern therapy approaches too, when they are aligned

Specialties

Anxiety                                     Behavioral Change

Burnout                                   Boundary Setting

Communication                    Conflict Resolution

Cultural Issues                        Depression

Emotional Regulation          Grief

Life Transitions                       Self-Worth

Stress Management             Trauma

Women's Issues

Western Therapy Models Anuhea Incorporates In Her Work When Culturally Aligned 

Narrative Therapy: Examining oneʻs stories, values & strengths. Externalizing problems, instead of feeling like we are the problem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation and problem-solving.

Relational-Cultural Therapy: Cultivating self-sovereignty by strengthening relationships.

Culturally Sensitive Therapy: Respecting that oneʻs culture is foundational to their health.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Practicing present moment awareness to reduce automatic & stress responses.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Learning emotional intelligence & changing behaviors.

Family Systems Therapy: Considering individuals as members of family systems.

Polyvagal Theory: Regulating the Autonomic Nervous System in response to threat to cultivate safety.

Somatic Therapy: Focuses on the connection between the mind and body, using body awareness, movement, and physical sensations to help individuals process and heal from trauma, stress, and emotional distress.

Humanistic Therapy: Emphasizes personal growth, self-awareness, and the kanaka's inherent capacity for self-healing, focusing on fostering a nonjudgmental, empathetic environment.

Positive Psychology: Identifying positive strengths, traits, behaviors, etc. to increase oneʻs positive thoughts and emotions.

Gottman Method: Based on the nine components of a healthy relationship that Gottman calls, “The Sound Relationship House.


*Anuheaʻs approach is eclectic depending on each individualʻs needs.

 

Specialties

Anxiety

Behavioral Change

Burnout

Boundary Setting

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Cultural Issues

Depression

Emotional Regulation

Grief

Life Transitions

Self-Worth

Stress Management

Trauma

Women's Issues

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