- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
- Communication skills
About Marissa
Marissa Yoshikawa-Machado is a Hawaii LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor with four years of experience. She works with people who are carrying stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, and struggles with self-esteem and life transitions. She also addresses communication problems, workplace issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation and self-love.
She uses clear, direct conversation to help people name what feels heavy. Sessions include practical tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and attention to present-moment awareness with Mindfulness Therapy. The focus is on what is happening now and on steps a person can try between meetings.
In the room she favors listening first and following what a person brings. That means talking through recent problems, examining automatic thoughts, and testing small changes to behavior. She also explores how past hurts still affect daily life when that’s helpful.
Her background includes work across multiple settings with people facing anxiety, depression, major life changes, and communication difficulties. She frames sessions as collaborative problem-solving and supports people in clarifying goals.
Practical matters are part of the work. Expect short exercises, thought records or mindfulness practices to try at home. People who carry guilt or shame often use sessions to talk through what they regret, to practice self-directed kindness, and to rehearse different ways of handling similar situations going forward.
Practical approaches used in online sessions
Marissa works from approaches that aim to make thoughts and reactions clearer and more manageable. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following what a person brings, which helps clarify immediate concerns and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers concrete exercises to test new ways of thinking and behaving. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention practices to notice emotions without being swept away, which can be useful for anxiety, shame, and stress.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their situation and preferences. That means trying techniques together, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan based on real experience and goals.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm the current options before booking. Many people find remote sessions help fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let them use exercises at home between meetings. Online settings can make it easier to schedule around work or caregiving, reduce travel time, and keep continuity when life is changing.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Hawaii
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family issues, self-esteem problems, and coping with life changes, plus related topics like guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses Cognitive Behavioral and Mindfulness techniques to identify self-critical thoughts, test different interpretations, and practice present-moment skills to reduce reactivity.
What is her professional background?
She has four years of experience working in several settings with people facing anxiety, depression, communication difficulties, and life transitions.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Hawaii.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are used?
The biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to meet with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.