ALOHA, I’M DR. KAPUA!

IDENTITY & CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

I was born in Hawaiʻi, and lived parts of my childhood in Oregon and California. I am a cisgender female (she/her/hers). I am a proud māmā and daughter, of Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Caucasian ethnicity. 

I graduated from Kamehameha Schools, majored in psychology at Chapman University and studied abroad in Spain for a semester. My multicultural and third-culture-kid life experience allows me to relate to and help navigate the sometimes confusing nature of identity.

My path in life has offered me opportunities to engage with diverse people from all walks of life. I value equity and justice for Women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA communities, people with disabilities, and honor the full spectrum of neurodiversity and all bodies. I am actively working to educate and grow myself as an anti-racist, inclusive psychologist to provide culturally affirming, evidence based treatment. The issues that face these communities continue to evolve and I am committed to the lifelong work of supporting them. 

MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY

I began as a job coach for adults with disabilities in California. I returned to Hawaiʻi and began working as a social worker. During this time, I pursued my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chaminade University, and my Doctorate of Psychology from the Hawaiʻi School of Professional Psychology. I completed an internship in Tacoma, WA at the University of Puget Sound where I created an intercultural support group for students of color. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at a group practice in Kapolei, HI. Since that time my goal has been to give back to rural, underserved, primarily Native Hawaiian communities. I worked as a psychologist at the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and most recently, the Waimānalo Health Center.

IDENTITY & CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

I was born in Hawaiʻi, and lived parts of my childhood in Oregon and California. I am a cisgender female (she/her/hers). I am a proud māmā and daughter, of Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Caucasian ethnicity. 

I graduated from Kamehameha Schools, majored in psychology at Chapman University and studied abroad in Spain for a semester. My multicultural and third-culture-kid life experience allows me to relate to and help navigate the sometimes confusing nature of identity.

My path in life has offered me opportunities to engage with diverse people from all walks of life. I value equity and justice for Women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA communities, people with disabilities, and honor the full spectrum of neurodiversity and all bodies. I am actively working to educate and grow myself as an anti-racist, inclusive psychologist to provide culturally affirming, evidence based treatment. The issues that face these communities continue to evolve and I am committed to the lifelong work of supporting them. 

MY WHY

I love what I do! Providing therapy for me is not just a job, but it is a dance between science and art. Helping others heal is something I hold sacred and gives my life greater meaning and purpose.  I am honored that my time with you on your journey, however long, will lead to transformation, gratitude, and joyful living. 

MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY

I began as a job coach for adults with disabilities in California. I returned to Hawaiʻi and began working as a case manager for adults with mental illness, then went on to work at a local Clubhouse. While working, I pursued my Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Chaminade University and my Doctorate of Psychology from Argosy University. I completed an internship in Tacoma, WA at the University of Puget Sound where I created an intercultural support group for students of color. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at a group practice in Kapolei, HI. Since that time my goal has been to give back to rural, underserved, primarily Native Hawaiian communities. I worked as a psychologist at the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and most recently, the Waimānalo Health Center.