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Aya Okumura

Aya Okumura

LCSW

Hawaii

Guiding change with respect and practical steps

Continue with Aya

At a glance

Credentials
LCSW
License
LCSW, California / 20347; LCSW, Hawaii / LCSW-4210
Experience
20 years
Languages
English, Japanese
Location
Hawaii

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Motivation-focused dialogue
    • Practical problem solving
    • English and Japanese

    About Aya

    Aya Okumura is a licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, and depression. She talks with clients about motivation and life changes in a calm, respectful way. Aya works in English and Japanese and practices from Hawaii.

    Her approach is straightforward and flexible. She listens first, then tailors conversations and goals to each person. She uses techniques drawn from Motivational Interviewing to help people find reasons to change and build confidence. She also draws on client-centered and narrative ideas to center the person’s story in therapy.

    Aya has worked across a variety of concerns, including caregiving strain, cancer-related stress, hospice and end-of-life issues, HIV/AIDS, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, and workplace pressures. She also supports people facing isolation, social anxiety, multicultural challenges, and midlife transitions.

    Sessions focus on practical steps and clearer thinking. Aya helps clients spot small shifts that lead to better daily functioning. Conversations often include problem-solving and solution-focused planning to address immediate challenges.

    She does not provide formal documentation for disability, Social Security, FMLA, court, parole, or employer purposes. To begin, people follow the site’s process to match with her and schedule sessions based on availability. Aya aims to make therapy approachable and useful from the very first meeting.

  2. How Aya’s Approach Translates to Online Therapy

    Aya uses Motivational Interviewing to help people find personal reasons to change, focusing conversations on values and small steps that build momentum. She also uses client-centered methods that prioritize the person’s experience and perspective, making room for listening and empathy while the client sets the pace.

    Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Aya will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and she adjusts the focus as needs evolve. The first few sessions typically involve clarifying goals and trying approaches that feel most useful.

    The practical benefits of online therapy include easier scheduling and the ability to fit sessions into a busy day. Online work can reduce travel time and make it simpler to keep regular appointments. Because specific session formats were not listed in the therapist’s profile, please confirm current session options before booking. Aya’s aim is to make therapy fit daily life and to help people translate insights into manageable steps.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

    Additional focus areas

    CancerCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Client-Centered TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

    Experience

    20+ years

    Listed in

    California, Hawaii

    Languages

    English, Japanese

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What concerns does she help with?

    Aya supports people facing stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. She also addresses caregiver stress, cancer-related issues, workplace problems, panic, PTSD, and social anxiety.

    How would you describe her therapeutic style?

    She starts by listening and then tailors conversations to each person. Her style is respectful and collaborative, focusing on motivation, personal stories, and practical solutions.

    What kind of experience does she bring?

    Aya has 20 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges. That background shapes a calm and experienced therapeutic presence.

    What credentials does she hold and where is she based?

    She holds LCSW credentials and practices from Hawaii. Her licences include HI LCSW and CA LCSW as noted in her profile.

    Which languages are supported?

    Sessions are offered in English and Japanese. International clients are accepted.

    What session formats are available?

    The therapist’s original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.

    How does payment and cost work?

    Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I begin working with her?

    Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability through the site’s booking process.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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