Marissa Yoshikawa-Machado

Compassionate CBT-informed care in Hawaii

LMHC Hawaii

Experience: 4 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Marissa

Marissa Yoshikawa-Machado is an LMHC based in Hawaii who works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.

Background and approach

She also attends to related issues such as communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation or loneliness, self-love, and workplace challenges. Her approach blends evidence-informed techniques to help clients identify patterns, develop practical skills, and build resilience.

With four years of clinical experience, she draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness-informed practices while maintaining a client-centered stance. This means she aims to collaborate with each person to understand their perspectives, honor their goals, and tailor strategies that fit daily life.

Sessions focus on clarifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, practicing present-moment awareness, and cultivating compassionate self-reflection. Marissa emphasizes creating a supportive atmosphere where people can speak openly and be heard without judgment.

She guides clients through current difficulties, explores relevant past experiences when helpful, and works toward achievable plans for the future. Her practice is conversational yet skill-oriented, aiming to leave clients with tools they can use between sessions.

Integrating CBT and Mindfulness in Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce emotional distress and improve daily functioning; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Mindfulness Therapy encourages present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of thoughts and feelings, which can help with stress, emotional regulation, and building self-compassion. Client-centered elements emphasize listening, empathy, and tailoring sessions to each person's values and goals.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with clients to explore which methods feel most useful given their needs, preferences, and goals, adjusting techniques over time so the work stays relevant and practical. This means trying strategies together and choosing what to prioritize as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing people to access care from different locations and in formats that fit their schedules. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and choose interaction styles that feel most comfortable for the individual.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes, plus related topics like communication problems and workplace difficulties.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She practices in a client-centered way that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness techniques to help clients explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while building practical coping skills.

What is her clinical background?

She has four years of experience working in a variety of counseling settings with clients facing anxiety, depression, major life transitions, and communication challenges.

What credentials and location are on record?

She is a licensed mental health counselor with the designation LMHC and practices in Hawaii under the license HI LMHC MHC-798.

Does she offer sessions in other languages or accept international clients?

She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available?

Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on availability and preference.

How does billing or cost generally work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessSelf-loveWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness Therapy

Experience

4+ years

Licensed

Hawaii

Languages

English