https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-06-18 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/covid-19-mental-health monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/healthcare-workers monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/toxic-masculinity monthly 0.5 2025-06-18 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/minority-mental-health-awareness monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/black-lives-matter monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/2019/3/11/zrmanja-falls-croatia-f3exm-ag6px monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/2019/3/11/haauknee-slabs-az-sntak-fwx2s monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/2019/3/11/echo-range-mx-2rxcs-nlph2 monthly 0.5 2020-05-25 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/2019/3/11/monmouth-glacier-ak-sy7cd-agk89 monthly 0.5 2020-05-25 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/2019/3/11/misty-mountains-me-menex-sdlb6 monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/blog/2019/3/11/ahi-point-wa-2xhzd-zzw39 monthly 0.5 2020-07-19 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/services daily 0.75 2020-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1589939904315-RYGMRAD8XDD5VDSGDR1N/pexels-photo-3958381.jpeg Services - Couples & Relationship Counseling Relationships can be one of the most rewarding, albeit challenging aspects of our lives. While they often begin with fun and excitement, over time issues commonly arise. It can be difficult to know for certain if it is time to see a professional counselor for relationship concerns. Perhaps you and your partner are having small disagreements and these disagreements begin to escalate quickly into more personal and hurtful arguments. Or perhaps the relationship feels stale with an absence of growth for one or both partners. Sometimes there are bigger problems, such as money, sexual concerns, infidelity, or coping with the behavior children and/or extended family members. When these scenarios occur, the relationship might benefit from counseling with a professional therapist. Beginning a process of couples counseling can be intimidating, but in reality, the rewards of this process often occur more quickly than those of individual work. Since this process involves two partners working towards mutually developed goals, the possibility of change and growth is multiplied. We work with couples and relationships that have concerns about communication issues, intimacy, parenting, personal finances, and couples’ life transitions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1589939579689-X7GBTZPD25QO9AWBORDA/MHG140_man-therapy-bipolar-depression_FS.jpg Services - Individual Therapy Many people today could benefit from counseling provided by a professional therapist. According to statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, almost one-third of adults in this country experience depression, anxiety, addiction or other diagnosable mental health concerns in a given year. In addition to these concerns, other people need help coping with serious physical illness, changing unhealthy habits, or improving relationships. Oftentimes if left untreated, these more subtle problems can become debilitating. I create a space for individuals to work through a wide range of emotional and behavioral health issues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1590081216647-GRCL4DJ6Q3FRQACFR3FB/group-therapy-1-300x200.jpeg Services - Group Therapy Based on research, Group therapy is a highly effective method to achieving positive outcomes. Groups can vary in size, ranging from 5 to 10 participants or more. Groups allow individuals to receive the support and encouragement of the other members of the group. People participating can see that others are going through the same thing, which can help them feel less alone. Groups allow for participants to increase their emotional connection to others, share your experiences to help others, and allow to have a place where you belong. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592687492824-N0ILMO145LM072UVKW7I/beautiful-1274361__480.jpg Services Increase self confidence & happiness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592686992897-6FYGRLSTTNIXS0ARVKJH/aged-man-1842327__480.jpg Services Achieve Peace & Quiet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592686127511-QR66GSZBVHHNDRATBS6D/frustration-1241534_1280.jpg Services Heal from the painful past https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592687775802-OAC3RDHDC358MMN2T77F/pexels-photo-3768131.jpeg Services Live in the present moment https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592687858444-JJBOTRI1JZHRYM65Y9UT/couple-1030744__480.jpg Services Strengthen your relationships https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592687706476-KPSBHUP1XNU1PMIZ5L51/woman-3083379__480.jpg Services Take control over your thoughts, behaviors, & emotions https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/fees daily 0.75 2021-09-04 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/about daily 0.75 2020-06-27 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/home daily 1.0 2025-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592685372327-7G2XBBSN30NLY7IGPXJW/morning-2243465_1280.jpg Home - Psychotherapy for individuals seeking change & transformation. You might be initially hesitant to seek out help and support for personal matters, but when you do, you will feel confident that you are taking a courageous first step towards getting to a better place and being a better you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ced8e1d5fd4c700018dd761/1561907800739-KPLG47SEYE493UI2O24B/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Large_844920.jpg Home - Invest in your relationship with yourself We all have a tendency to put others first, but in doing so, we can sometimes neglect our relationship with ourselves. Let me be your advocate and show you a kinder, gentler way to treat the most important person in your life, you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1589913841090-WLOBM76TQ88UH0XZTWG6/pexels-photo-984908.jpeg Home - Improve your relationship with others Be your best self, alone and with others, and cultivate deep and lasting friendships and relationships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1595185578744-LUYLI958LZEUT921TPRV/pexels-photo-3776873.jpeg Home - The Road to Healing Begins Here Most of the reasons that people have for not beginning their counseling have to do with their immediate, here-and-now, circumstances. Sadly not addressing the issues that you deal with in the here and now has a way of making life more difficult as the days, months and years go by. There is no shame in going to counseling. Even if you believe you are emotionally healthy, another person's objective perspective can help improve the way you feel about life and your relationships. https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/about-1 daily 0.75 2020-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1589925267370-QM7HFDQKORN772M0LQDU/EaWgKZ5A.jpeg About (Copy) - Lawrence DeFiesta, MSW, LCSWA. Lawrence’s desire to listen to peoples' stories, to help them feel safe to be themselves and to face their challenges started at a young age. He came from a big family and was blessed with constant interaction. His background taught him how to get along with many different people. Being born & raised in Hawai’i, a melting pot, Lawrence holds a variety of rich cultural experiences. He was drawn to listening and observing his friends and family and became a natural mediator. In retrospect, Lawrence learned that his major inspiration for becoming a therapist was his knack for guiding people through darkness. Lawrence learned to fight his own battles with hope and determination and from these experiences he knew that he would make an impact in others' lives. Lawrence’s experiences in counseling are rooted in creativity, travel, and art. After making the decision to move out of his comfort zone and away from home, he traveled extensively. While residing in multiple states he studied people and their environments. He was curious about how people and society worked. His experiences and hardships throughout his journey drew him closer to his calling to social work and his desire to help create social change. Lawrence is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate with a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of New England where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He was also a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work. Lawrence provides therapy to individuals, couples, adolescents and families. His therapeutic focus includes anxiety, depression, grief & loss, trauma, self-esteem challenges, relationship issues, family conflict, PTSD, life transitions, multi-cultural challenges, and substance use disorders. Lawrence has extensive experience working with clients of all ages recovering from crisis. His background includes working in a variety of settings including residential, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, and also community mental health organizations. Lawrence is also trained in crisis intervention. One of his favorite quotes is, "A Person's a person, no matter how small." - Dr. Seuss https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/dear-future-clients daily 0.75 2025-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1591109995315-67I2U1J9X124IUWZRN70/Lawrence-DeFiesta-black-hi-res.jpg Dear Future Clients https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/therapist daily 0.75 2025-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1590075809822-9AG8G2SN6N0O7QXNPR1D/EaWgKZ5A.jpeg Meet the Therapist Lawrence DeFiesta, MSW, LCSWA Lawrence’s desire to listen to peoples' stories, to help them feel safe to be themselves and to face their challenges started at a young age. He came from a big family and was blessed with constant interaction. His background taught him how to get along with many different people. Being born & raised in Hawai’i, a melting pot, Lawrence holds a variety of rich cultural experiences. He was drawn to listening and observing his friends and family and became a natural mediator. In retrospect, Lawrence learned that his major inspiration for becoming a therapist was his knack for guiding people through darkness. Lawrence learned to fight his own battles with hope and determination and from these experiences he knew that he would make an impact in others' lives. Lawrence’s experiences in counseling are rooted in creativity, travel, and art. After making the decision to move out of his comfort zone and away from home, he traveled extensively. While residing in multiple states he studied people and their environments. He was curious about how people and society worked. His experiences and hardships throughout his journey drew him closer to his calling to social work and his desire to help create social change. Lawrence is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate with a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of New England where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He was also a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work. Lawrence provides therapy to individuals, couples, adolescents and families. His therapeutic focus includes anxiety, depression, grief & loss, trauma, self-esteem challenges, relationship issues, family conflict, PTSD, life transitions, multi-cultural challenges, and substance use disorders. Lawrence has extensive experience working with clients of all ages recovering from crisis. His background includes working in a variety of settings including residential, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, and community mental health organizations. Lawrence is also trained in crisis intervention. One of his favorite quotes is, "A Person's a person, no matter how small." - Dr. Seuss Click to learn more about Lawrence https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/specialities daily 0.75 2020-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776564099-8B75E2XT91MBR4JZ45QX/pexels-photo-3760284.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776478387-FV63XR9CLZA3U1AJ95P6/pexels-photo-3767426.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776429502-98ZED2RG70MX65DXOS2Y/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776365872-AV1O2CKU2CKFQLOAUQCW/pexels-photo-171296.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776179765-ZWM52GJSIOHX6BMEZRT1/pexels-photo-4114918.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776319928-MG0W5HGNGLGDHDNPZMU9/pexels-photo-736843.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592775822688-SLA3FVQXGWHTZEMHP2W9/pexels-photo-684385.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592775933011-PVGD24S9C5GXSH6DHSSM/pexels-photo-3776808.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592775742233-0OABK2RVM5EWQUZA72AS/adorable-3344414__480.jpg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776770257-E2ERKNQJLT2BI28WA1CL/pexels-photo-3285036.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592776632872-KUL4E8R4X7J78W7CEBKQ/pexels-photo-4100485.jpeg Therapeutic Focuses https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-08-02 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/mental-health-link daily 0.75 2020-05-25 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/physical-health-link daily 0.75 2020-05-25 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/telehealth daily 0.75 2020-11-30 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2020-05-27 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/moreaboutme daily 0.75 2021-09-05 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/anxiety daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592693911533-6I7FL5VENPD10TICXDPG/pexels-photo-3890437.jpeg anxiety - Do You Feel Overwhelmed Or Anxious? Anxiety is a feeling we all experience from time to time and a normal part of life. But when those anxious feelings become frequent and overwhelming, it can interfere with your life, job, and relationships. Do you excessively worry about the future? Do you wish you could stop obsessing about things you’ve said or done? Are you constantly replaying the same thoughts or images in your head over and over again? Do you have a hard time making decisions and can’t take the next step? Do you feel stuck or frustrated? These are all common things people experience when they struggle with anxiety. It can also negatively affect our physical health. Some signs of anxiety may include having difficulty sleeping, knots in your stomach, tightness in your chest, restlessness, increased heart rate, sweating, or hyperventilating. When you experience these physical symptoms, it’s a sign that you could be having a panic attack or anxiety attack. https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/grief-loss daily 0.75 2020-06-20 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/life-transitions daily 0.75 2020-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592696452505-FXZVMA52NQOI5JOWS5KZ/butterfly-17057__480.jpg life transitions https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/depression daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/selfesteem-building daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592699041042-SBCYXUBJEFQR5BWSGW80/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Self-esteem building - Let's Build Your Self-Esteem! Do you often think, “I’m worthless,” “I hate myself,” “I’m no good at this,” “I hate the way I look,” or “I don’t deserve good things happening to me”? Do you get stuck in the loop of thinking about the minutia of what you did wrong? Are you finding it difficult to stop thinking about the same negative thoughts over and over again? Many of us struggle with self-esteem. Whether you don’t feel good about yourself, lack confidence, or struggle with your relationships, We know it can be difficult to view yourself in a positive light. Therapy can help you change the way you think about yourself so you can be happy, proud, and confident. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592699780645-VT9YP77TKWVOWG7PJ9A0/Large+JPG-Aro+Ha_0380.jpg Self-esteem building https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/trauma daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/addiction-counseling daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/family-therapy daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592701828000-SAI0OJRYIQRTP762F1PW/pexels-photo-4262424.jpg Family Therapy https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/why-is-therapy-so-expensive daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1592702918386-PA0JIXZKV324TYQ43QVT/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Why is therapy so expensive? https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/faq daily 0.75 2020-06-30 https://www.ahonuicounseling.com/losing-a-pet daily 0.75 2020-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1594591857952-MXH02OAFVXOO3DYU62A0/Casper.png Losing a pet - If you have a pet, you know what unconditional love and compassion mean. If you had a pet and lost it, you have suffered deep pain. The loss of a pet can often be the most traumatizing, overwhelming, and painful experience one can suffer. Some people might not understand it, but if you have been in such a situation, you can relate, and you should not feel ashamed or guilty for grieving for your best animal friend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec36ae9cd623c158e3a590e/1594592564382-FULASF11S4GCNKA726J5/Loss+companion.png Losing a pet