Relationships | Balance | Change

Xplor LGBTQIA+

At Xplor Counseling, we affirm and support all those who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community in Hawaii and elsewhere. Our providers offer a safe, non-judgmental space for our clients who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and are sensitive to the unique needs that often are part of the LGBTQIA+ experience.

If you would like specialized support, please consider requesting one of the following providers:

Alison Matsumoto-Kong, LCSW — LCSW
Alison Matsumoto-Kong

LCSW

Alison Matsumoto-Kong

Alison Matsumoto-Kong, LCSW believes that everyone has the strengths within them to reach their goals and make the life changes they desire. She feels that guided and supportive assistance through individual counseling improves a person’s mental health which also improves their overall health and wellness. As we experience life’s challenges, supportive services are necessary to tackle these obstacles.

Alison provides counseling with an empathic, accepting, transparent, honest and nurturing approach, with a practice focusing on strengths-based, client-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapies. Alison believes that this approach assists individuals to identify their own strengths so they can have the confidence and ability to make cognitive and behavioral changes they feel are necessary to improve their overall quality of life. Using cognitive behavioral techniques while using a strengths-based and client centered approach, Alison assists individuals in learning and developing appropriate and healthy coping skills and strategies that can make positive impacts on how life experiences and situations are handled and managed.

Alison has a passion of working with pre-adolescents, adolescents, and the young adult age group. Alison has more than ten years experience working with this population in Hawaii and California and believes that providing supportive services can have a long-lasting positive impact as adolescents work through challenges. She has experience working with adolescents of various ethnic backgrounds, family dynamics, and lifestyles with compassion, empathy, and care

LMHC

Cierra Yoshikawa

Cierra Yoshikawa, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who primarily works with children but has worked with people of all ages. She has worked with clients with a wide range of mental health and behavioral concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, substance use, and Autism.

Cierra believes everyone has the ability to heal and change when provided with the right environment. To do this, Cierra provides a compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment for counseling. Where clients are able to freely discuss their concerns and work through their struggles to build a solution and bring joy to their lives. Cierra tailors sessions to fit each of her client’s needs. She uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.

LMFT

Elisa Sapienza

Elisa Sapienza is a bilingual (Spanish) Therapist with more than 25 years experience providing therapy and counseling for children, adults, couples, families and groups in schools, clinics, nonprofits, military installations, telemedicine platforms and private practice. She earned her Masters Degree in Psychology (with a Concentration in Drama Therapy) from The California Institute of Integral Studies in 1997 and her Licenses in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2002 (California) and in 2023 (Hawaii). Her experience and areas of expertise include Child Therapy, Early Childhood Mental Health, Domestic Violence, parenting support, relationship and family issues, trauma and mood disorders.

Elisa provides a safe and accepting space for clients work through and manage stressors and life challenges. She has worked with and welcomes clients of all ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientaions, as well as diverse abilities, and cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

LCSW

Johanna Ancheta

At the core of her work, Nana believes that individuals of all identities and abilities deserve equitable access to affirming, trauma-informed spaces. She partners with families and communities to build resilience by reclaiming the joy in lost practices and developing tools to cultivate a strong foundation for all members to thrive. The goal is an adventure toward one’s genuine voice, making meaningful connections, and (re)discovering their sense of self.

Nana integrates an anti-oppressive, experiential approach to therapy, enhancing her training in TF-CBT and Child-Parent Psychotherapy. While she specializes in trauma work with children and youth (ages 2-15), migrants/refugees, and survivors of sexual assault/abuse, she also has experience working with adult survivors of childhood trauma, SOGIE+ individuals seeking affirming medical care, transracial adoptees, and emerging adults (ages 16-25) resisting the pressures of hustle culture.

Nana views rest as an act of radical healing; thus, she balances her time with quiet pursuits like swimming, rearranging furniture, reading manga, painting, and cutting fruit.

LMHC, CSAC, CCMHC

Joseph Hakim

Joseph Hakim, LMHC, CSAC, CCMHC is a big Canadian living in Hawaii with an even bigger heart, and he is ready to help you. Joseph understands that the decision to enter therapy is not always easy and strives to ensure a comfortable casual entry into counseling.

Joseph brings with him several years of experience in clinical mental health in which he provides a judgment free environment so that clients can feel comfortable enough to open up and share their story without worry.

Joseph has worked with a diverse demographic with people from all walks of life, and can offer insight and treatment for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, trauma, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, stress, and substance abuse.

Through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and more; Joseph works with his clients to help them achieve the goals that they strive to achieve in counseling through custom tailored treatment plans.

MA, LMFT

Kristy Anderson

Kristy Anderson, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. She believes you have everything you need within you to grow and heal even though at times it might not feel like it. You are not alone in this journey. Reaching out can help you rediscover your innate health and offer perspectives not previously considered. Whether you are going through life stressors, mental health challenges, trying to get unstuck from a current situation, or finding the courage to achieve your dreams, the path of therapy and self-knowledge can help you find your way back home.

Kristy has experience working with anxiety, depression, life transitions, parenting, play therapy, addictive behaviors, abuse, relationship issues, trauma, mindfulness training, caregivers, those with health challenges, as well as encouraging self-discovery to live your special one-of-a-kind authentic life. Her approach is kind, warm, collaborative, supportive, and focused on each client’s individual needs. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral, humanistic-existential, psychodynamic, and solution-based modalities. Her style is directive, engaging and helps find humor even in the most difficult of moments. We really are all in this together.

PsyD

Nicole Gonowon

Dr. Nicole Gonown, PsyD, has experience supporting individuals living and struggling with a range of personal development and mental health issues such as: depression, anxiety, stress management, relationship issues, trauma, suicidality, grief and loss, and life transitions. She is poly-affirming, kink-aware, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and is committed to aligning myself with values of harm reduction. It would be her privilege to have the opportunity to work with you as you navigate life’s challenges.

Moving through life when distressed or feeling stuck can be an arduous task. Please know that you don’t have to be alone. Allow Dr. Gonowon to support you on this journey. By seeking help, you are already on your way towards growth and healing.

Quite often we search for answers and fulfillment outside of ourselves when, in fact, those things are often locked within us. It can be difficult to access those truths when dealing with so many other demands in life and past struggles. Dr. Gonowon’s goal is to create a safe, grounded, non-judgmental, and affirming environment so that those issues that disrupt daily life can be explored and challenged. Dr. Gonowon will regard you as the expert on your own experiences, to both learn more about what it is like to be you and identify what more you want for yourself.

PhD

Nicole Knapp

Dr. Nicole Knapp, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who enjoys working individually with adults who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in relationships, and various life stages. She has experience in a variety of settings, including college campuses, private practice, outpatient hospital, and the VA.

Nicole was also trained through the VA to use Cognitive Processing Therapy for variety of traumas including childhood, sexual, and combat. In session, Nicole provides a client-centered environment that is nonjudgmental and challenges the client in moving toward their goals.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with family, hiking around Oahu, and reading the latest book she’s grabbed from her never ending TBR.

LMHC, CSAC

Robert Locklear

Robert Locklear, LMHC, CSAC specializes in working with individual adults who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationship conflict, life transitions, career stumbling blocks, and substance abuse. He has an easygoing style and creates a space where you can be you, without judgement. It’s this kind of accepting demeanor that helps Robert’s clients thrive and grow.

Robert uses a collaborative and integrative style in his sessions, blending evidence-based perspectives with the needs of the client, and he allows the client’s needs to guide him forward. You will always find a listening ear, a knowledgeable base, and a professional outlook when you see Robert.

He’s excited to with you in overcoming and preserving through any negative challenging obstacles. As we increase your coping skills and ability to tolerate distress, you can have a healthier quality of life.

LCSW

Sandra Bunnell

Sandra Bunnell, LCSW, has deep local roots in Hawai’i with a love for its culture, history and people. She is a therapist with 15 years of experience working with children with Autism, ADHD, and behavior needs. She utilizes a child-centered, strengths-based approach that incorporates evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing. She enjoys focusing on fostering emotional regulation, through grounding and breath-work.

Play is key to healing for most children. She enjoys integrating play-based approaches and expressive arts into her sessions, blending play with talk therapy to enhance engagement and self-expression.

Sandra is warm, empathetic and guides with gentle words of encouragement. She believes that perspective is powerful, how we choose to view life influences the we experience it. She can assist you in feeling empowered though helping you to reframe thinking and behavior. She looks forward to partnering with you on your journey!