Marissa Yoshikawa-Machado, LMHC

Marissa Yoshikawa-Machado is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Hawaii who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She also supports those facing relationship and family concerns, low self-esteem, and major life changes. Her approach is warm and down-to-earth, focused on practical steps people can use between sessions.

Marissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness techniques, and a client-centered style to guide conversations. In sessions she listens first, then works with clients to identify patterns of thinking and behavior that make problems worse. She helps people try small changes and notice what works for them.

Her background includes about four years of professional experience in counseling settings. That work exposed her to a range of issues such as communication problems, workplace stress, isolation and loneliness, and the emotional effects of trauma and abuse. She blends skills-based work with moments of reflection and acceptance.

Marissa aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental space where clients can speak honestly about guilt, shame, forgiveness, and self-love. Therapy focuses on clear goals and practical tools, like thought records, behavior experiments, and simple mindfulness exercises. Progress is measured by what improves in daily life.

Sessions are offered in English and include options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. People start by completing a brief matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions based on availability.

How CBT and Mindfulness Work Online

Marissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT focuses on clear exercises and small experiments that can be practiced between sessions to reduce anxiety and low mood.

She also draws on Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention exercises and grounding techniques. Mindfulness can help reduce rumination and make it easier to cope with stress and grief. Her client-centered approach means conversations are guided by what the client needs most in the moment.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Marissa works collaboratively to choose methods that match a person’s goals and preferences, and she adjusts techniques as progress is seen. Clients and therapist review what helps and change course if needed.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions use less data and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for shorter check-ins, ongoing support, or when writing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or caregiving schedules.