Anuhea considers herself human first, therapist second. She recognizes reciprocity between herself and her clients, focusing on pilina (connection), unlike western clinicians who often center themselves as the experts. Anuhea talks story with her clients to explore what they believe their challenges and needs are. Then, she helps them identify realistic and impactful goals with a step-by-step plan to achieve them. Anuhea aims to empower her fellow Kānaka with both traditional and modern knowledge, skills, and resources that strengthen their confidence in managing all that life throws at them.

Anuhea considers herself human first, therapist second. She recognizes reciprocity between herself and her clients, focusing on connection, unlike western clinicians who often center themselves as the experts. Anuhea talks story with her clients to explore what they believe their problems and needs are. Then, she helps them identify realistic and impactful goals with a step-by-step plan to achieve them. Anuhea aims to empower her fellow Kānaka with both traditional and modern knowledge, skills, and resources that strengthen their confidence in managing all that life throws at them.

Anuhea enjoys researching genealogy and fostering deeper connections. Many lines of her family history trace back to Hawai'i in addition to Germany, England, France, Scotland, Japan, Ireland, and Guam. Anuhea strives to honor her Kūpuna by accepting all parts of herself and helps her clients do the same.

"To know one's moʻokūʻauhau is to know the ancient and endless expression of which one is an extension of in this life."

Kahakaʻio Ravenscraft

How It Began

Anuhea recognized the lack of Native Hawaiian Therapists in practicing in Hawaiʻi when she was searching for personal support and as she looked for a supervisor in order to complete her therapy licensure process.

Anuhea knew that Native Hawaiians suffer from alarming rates of negative mental health associated risk factors, which stem from colonization and was saddened to know that there were few culturally-aligned therapy options available.

Anuhea experienced the frustration of receiving health care services from professionals who do not truly understand the history of our people, are not fully aware of the roles they play in the many systems of oppression that still exist, and who inevitably perpetuate further harm.

It was then that Kanaka to Kanaka was born; A dream to provide mental health therapy, education, and support for Hawaiians by Hawaiians.

How It Began

It was then that Kanaka to Kanaka was born; A dream to provide mental health therapy, education, and support for Hawaiians by Hawaiians.

Kanaka to Kanaka's mission is to normalize and empower Native Hawaiian mental health and wellbeing.

Kanaka to Kanaka's vision is to expand accessibility of mental healthcare for Native Hawaiians that is culturally-aligned, trauma-informed, and provided Kanaka to Kanaka.

Values

Ea

Kanaka to Kanaka honors the life, sovereignty and rising of all human beings by…

Prioritizing choice and consent to empower self-determination
Recognizing various lived experiences to cultivate validation and
Aligning language to promote trust and inclusion

Pilina

Kanaka to Kanaka values the relationships between all living things…

Fostering brave spaces where individuals can access safety and form nurturing attachments with self, family, community, natural resources, and divinity
Practicing integrity by choosing what is right over what is convenient, comfortable, quick, easy or temporarily enjoyable
Holding all accountable for our impacts in the world

Kanaka Holoʻokoʻa

Kanaka to Kanaka recognizes the full humanity of all people by…

Taking a multidimensional approach to healing that attunes to the whole person
Considering all aspects of health; physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, vocational, recreational, spiritual & environmental
Respecting the capacity of self and others and exercising healthy boundaries

‘Imi Naʻauao

Kanaka to Kanaka prioritizes the quest for knowledge and enlightenment by…

Looking to the past and present in order to better the future
Understanding the interdependence between roles as teacher and student
Seeking to connect with and understand others despite differences

Mission

Kanaka to Kanaka's mission is to normalize and empower Native Hawaiian mental health and wellbeing.

Vision

Kanaka to Kanaka's vision is to expand accessibility of mental healthcare for Native Hawaiians that is culturally-aligned, trauma-informed, and provided Kanaka to Kanaka.

Values

Ea

Kanaka to Kanaka honors the life, sovereignty and rising of all human beings by…

Prioritizing choice and consent to empower self-determination
Recognizing various lived experiences to cultivate validation and
Aligning language to promote trust and inclusion

Pilina

Kanaka to Kanaka values the relationships between all living things…

Fostering brave spaces where individuals can access safety and form nurturing attachments with self, family, community, natural resources, and divinity
Practicing integrity by choosing what is right over what is convenient, comfortable, quick, easy or temporarily enjoyable
Holding all accountable for our impacts in the world

Kanaka Holoʻokoʻa

Kanaka to Kanaka recognizes the full humanity of all people by…

Taking a multidimensional approach to healing that attunes to the whole person
Considering all aspects of health; physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, vocational, recreational, spiritual & environmental
Respecting the capacity of self and others and exercising healthy boundaries

‘Imi Naʻauao

Kanaka to Kanaka prioritizes the quest for knowledge and enlightenment by…

Looking to the past and present in order to better the future
Understanding the interdependence between roles as teacher and student
Seeking to connect with and understand others despite differences

Longs for their life to change and improve
Committed to at least 4-6 sessions to see if we're a good fit
Open to talking-story about thoughts, feelings, and experiences
Willing to observe, practice, and experiment with simple strategies between sessions
Comfortable providing honest feedback in order for therapist to personalize approach
Wants to work with someone who understands the systemic injustices that BIPOC minorities navigate today
Yearns for Native Hawaiian values, practices, and language to be apart of the therapeutic process
Open to incorporating the modern therapy approaches too, when they are aligned

Ideal Client

Longs for their life to change and improve
Committed to at least 4-6 sessions to see if we're a good fit
Open to talking-story about thoughts, feelings, and experiences
Willing to observe, practice, and experiment with simple strategies between sessions
Comfortable providing honest feedback in order for therapist to personalize approach
Wants to work with someone who understands the systemic injustices that BIPOC minorities navigate today
Yearns for Native Hawaiian values, practices, and language to be apart of the therapeutic process
Open to incorporating the modern therapy approaches too, when they are aligned

Specialties

Anxiety Behavioral Change

Burnout Boundary Setting

Communication Conflict Resolution

Cultural Issues Depression

Emotional Regulation Grief

Life Transitions Self-Worth

Stress Management Trauma

Women's Issues

Western Therapy Models Anuhea Incorporates In Her Work When Culturally Aligned

Narrative Therapy: Examining oneʻs stories, values & strengths. Externalizing problems, instead of feeling like we are the problem.

Relational-Cultural Therapy: Cultivating self-sovereignty by strengthening relationships.

Culturally Sensitive Therapy: Respecting that oneʻs culture is foundational to their health.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Practicing present moment awareness to reduce automatic & stress responses.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Learning emotional intelligence & changing behaviors.

Family Systems Therapy: Considering individuals as members of family systems.

Polyvagal Theory: Nervous System Regulation.

Somatic Therapy: Mind-body exercises.

Humanistic Therapy: Empathetic support that helps the client strengthen their intuition.

Positive Psychology: Identifying positive strengths, traits, behaviors, etc. to increase oneʻs positive thoughts and emotions.

Gottman Method: Based on the nine components of a healthy relationship that Gottman calls, “The Sound Relationship House.”

*Anuheaʻs approach is eclectic depending on each individualʻs needs.