Lori Shinsato, LCSW

Lori Shinsato is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who practices in Hawaii. She brings five years of clinical experience and a long history of community social work on the islands. Lori aims to create a calm, conversational setting where people feel heard and respected.

She focuses on everyday struggles such as stress, anxiety, sleep problems, low self-esteem, grief, and depression. Lori also supports people facing caregiving strain, aging and geriatric concerns, workplace stress, and life changes. She helps with relationship and communication problems and with questions about life purpose and meaning.

Lori uses practical tools drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness to help people notice unhelpful patterns and try small, doable changes. She also uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to set clear, achievable goals and build momentum. Sessions tend to be person-centered, paced to each individual's needs.

Her style is warm and present. Lori listens first, then suggests steps to try between sessions. She helps people break big problems into manageable pieces and track progress over time.

Outside of work she enjoys museums, live theater, and hobbies that give her a target to aim for. Her Hawaii roots inform her respect for culture and community and shape how she relates to people in care.

Practical approaches for online therapy

Many of Lori's sessions draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps people notice and test unhelpful thoughts and try small behavioral changes. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and stress by breaking problems into manageable steps.

She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing practices that reduce reactivity and improve focus. Mindfulness can support coping with grief, caregiver stress, and chronic worry by helping people pause and respond rather than react.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Lori will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She listens to what matters most and adjusts techniques as progress is made.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full sessions that mirror in-person visits. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief updates, journaling support, or flexible check-ins between longer appointments. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and reach a therapist from anywhere in Hawaii.