Family therapy and counseling in Honolulu, HI

Aloha, my name is Akoni Kanaele. I provide compassionate, culturally responsive support that is trauma informed. I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment. I work with individuals navigating stress, relationships, life transitions, emotional challenges, and personal growth. My approach focuses on building on each client’s strengths, developing practical coping skills, and creating meaningful, positive change.

Client-focused, not one-size fits all. It's all about relationships. I'm here to listen and perhaps gently guide. I use psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and Gottman technique with couples.

Bruised Not Broken Therapy was born out of the lack of Afrocentric based psychotherapy that allowed people of color to embrace their journey of life through the context of color. HIV, substance abuse, mental health and the denial of the experience of being a person of color continues to plague communities of color, as we still have yet to talk about these experiences.

I have worked in the mental health field for over 15 years and have been a licensed mental health counselor and Doctor of Clinical Psychology for 12 years. Additionally, I have collaborated with clients of all ages, cultures, Nationalities and from all social classes dealing with a wide range of issues. My experience is vast as I have worked with the following: neuro-psychiatric, suicidal ideation/attempts, LGBTQIA, PTSD, anger management, grief/loss, trauma, abuse, relationship issues, school counseling, juvenile justice, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, personality disorders, domestic violence, crisis intervention, codependency, and group/family/individual therapy.

Aloha! As a clinician with over 18 years of experience, my passion is working with children and families. Healthy families are the core unit of our society and can break negative patterns for ourselves and future generations, and I believe that early intervention can dramatically change the trajectory of a young person’s life. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives by providing the professional guidance needed to navigate behavioral challenges, identity struggles, and family transitions.

I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, knowing they have an experienced advocate committed to their success. My background as a UCLA graduate has allowed me to serve families across various life stages, from young children to adults navigating relationship hurdles. When I am not in the office, I find peace and restoration in the natural beauty of the islands, which keeps me grounded in my work.

I have over 30 years of clinical, counseling and administrative experience working with individuals and couples, addressing the unique issues related to their unique life experiences. I have extensive professional and personal experience with military families and veterans. I understand first-hand the struggles of grief and medical conditions that impact all aspects of life. I have supported chronically and terminally ill patients, individuals living with cancer or chronic medical diagnoses, as well as parents experiencing infertility, peripartum, and postpartum depression. Whether dealing with life transitions, parenting, depression, anxiety, or divorce, or simply seeking to express yourself and feel more confident, I am here to walk with you, provide insights, and support you toward lasting change.

I am passionate about serving people helping to rebuild trust, restore relationships, and move beyond struggles with trauma, addiction, intimacy, depression and brokenness.

If anxiety, depression, or the weight of past trauma has started to feel like it's steering your life instead of you, that's exactly where I do my best work. I'm Erica, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and I think of myself as your therapeutic GPS — you set the destination, and I help you find the route. I work with children, teens, adults, and couples, and I bring genuine respect, real-world knowledge, and yes, some humor to every session, because feeling comfortable with your therapist actually matters for getting better.

I find my most fulfilling times are assisting others in seeing how they are growing and impacting others around them. I am known for being a calm and grounding presence in sessions.