Aya Okumura, LCSW

Hawaii | Online sessions in California, Hawaii | English, Japanese | Book with Aya »

Calm, practical support for life’s hard moments

Details

Name	Aya Okumura
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Hawaii
Licensed in	California, Hawaii
Session format	Online
Languages	English, Japanese
Years in practice	20

About Aya

Aya Okumura is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and major life changes. Aya speaks English and Japanese and works from Hawaii.

Her style is warm and respectful. She listens first and tailors conversations to each person's needs. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps people can try between meetings.

Aya uses Narrative Therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves.

Background and approach

She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions focused on the person’s perspective. Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy help when someone wants concrete goals and next steps. She has worked across many settings and with diverse concerns.

Her additional focus areas include caregiver stress, cancer-related issues, hospice and end-of-life counseling, HIV/AIDS, workplace strain, and multicultural concerns. Aya also addresses panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety, and women's issues. People who choose Aya can expect a calm, collaborative pace.

She will discuss goals and adjust the approach as needs change. Aya is clear about services she does not provide, such as writing official disability or legal documentation. To begin, clients select the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire.

Scheduling follows based on therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem among the things Aya works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Aya among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Aya among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Aya among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Aya directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Aya directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Aya’s Approaches Work Online

Aya often uses Narrative Therapy to help people examine and reframe the stories they tell about themselves. This approach helps when past events or recurring negative beliefs shape how someone sees their life and choices. Narrative work can bring new perspectives and options for moving forward.

She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which centers the session on the person’s experience. The therapist follows the client’s lead, reflects what is said, and creates space to clarify feelings and values. Motivational Interviewing is used when someone wants help finding internal motivation to change a behavior or reach a goal; it focuses on small, doable steps and resolving mixed feelings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Aya will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and comfort level, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made. The first sessions usually involve exploring concerns and agreeing on next steps.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful for deeper conversations and visual cues, phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports shorter check-ins, and text messages allow ongoing, flexible contact. These options make it easier to fit therapy into workdays, caregiving schedules, or long-distance situations.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of problems does Aya help with?

Aya works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. She also supports people facing caregiver strain, cancer-related concerns, hospice and end-of-life issues, HIV/AIDS, workplace problems, and multicultural challenges.

How would you describe her therapy style?

She takes a respectful, person-focused approach. Aya listens carefully, tailors conversations to each person, and emphasizes practical steps you can try between sessions.

What is her clinical background?

Aya has 20 years of professional experience and has practiced in multiple settings that exposed her to diverse concerns and populations.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is licensed as an LCSW in Hawaii and California and is based in Hawaii.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Japanese to accommodate speakers of both languages.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions can be held as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the person's preference.

How does payment and cost work?

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

How do I begin working with Aya?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Aya are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Aya where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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