- Client-centered
- CBT and mindfulness
- Work-related concerns
About Marissa
Marissa Yoshikawa-Machado is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who helps people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship and family concerns, and work-related strain. She focuses on practical ways to manage strong emotions and navigate life changes. Her approach aims to make reaching out feel easier and less overwhelming.
Marissa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and a client-centered style to shape sessions. That means she listens first, then helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, try small changes, and practice being present. Sessions are conversational and focused on skills that can be used between meetings.
In practice she supports clearer communication, working through guilt and shame, and rebuilding self-esteem after loss or difficult events. She also helps people address workplace issues and feelings of isolation or loneliness. Marissa works in Hawaii and brings four years of counseling experience to her work with adults.
Her room aims to be warm and nonjudgmental. She invites people to talk about current struggles and past challenges, then collaboratively set goals. Marissa encourages simple, actionable steps that fit into everyday life and supports people as they try new ways of coping.
To begin she asks people to share what matters most to them and what they hope to change. The focus is practical - small experiments, clearer communication, and building routines that feel manageable over time.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy in her practice means the therapist begins by listening closely and shaping sessions around what matters to the client. This helps people feel understood and keeps goals practical and relevant. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety or low mood. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase grounding during stressful moments.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals and day-to-day needs, then suggest starting points. Clients can try techniques and give feedback so the plan can shift over time based on what helps most.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy life. It can reduce travel time and allow sessions during breaks or between commitments. Because session formats are not specified in the biography, confirm the current session options before booking so you know what is offered. The emphasis is on practical care that fits routine schedules and helps people practice skills between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Credentials
Hawaii
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Marissa help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, self-esteem struggles, and coping with life changes. Workplace issues, communication problems, guilt and shame, isolation, and self-love are also listed areas of focus.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered, meaning she starts by listening and tailoring care to each person's needs. Sessions mix practical CBT tools with mindfulness practices to build skills people can use day to day.
What is her professional background?
She holds a Licensed Mental Health Counselor credential and has four years of experience working in counseling roles across different settings.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She practices in Hawaii and is credentialed as an LMHC, listed as HI LMHC.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are costs and billing handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to start therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.