Amanda Odish

Aloha! I'm Amanda Odish, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Hawai'i. My approach is compassion-based, existential, solution-focused, positive, and trauma-informed. My goal is to assist you with learning coping skills, tools, and experiential competence so that you need not rely on a therapist. I am here to support your transition to health on all levels! This provider resides in Hawaii.

My approach

Do you feel anxiety, depression, relational stress, grief, loss, & are searching for meaning, purpose, identity, hope, & fullest potential? Trauma can shake us to our core and challenge the way we think and feel about ourselves and the world around us. Together we will collaborate on a compassionate therapeutic plan to understand how your coping skills have protected you, develop new skills, and embrace self-acceptance even as we grow. I also offer therapeutic harp music for relaxation and mindfulness practice if desired! I hope to assist you discover the gifts in your suffering and see yourself in a new light! I specialize in Existential Psychology, focusing on post-traumatic growth. Using a solution-focused model, you will learn the coping skills, tools, and resources so that you can graduate from therapy! I hope to see you feel stronger in yourself so that you need not rely on a therapist, but use your own skills to navigate your life!

My focus

I have experience working with folks who have endured severe trauma of all kinds, along with accompanying symptoms such as severe anxiety, depression, and grief. I work with those who are stigmatized, and those whom other therapists may be reluctant to work with as their cases are unique. Due to my non-judgemental, accepting, compassionate approach, I aim to work with clients experiencing deep shame to assist them in transformative skills for optimal health, growth, self-acceptance, positive change, contentment, and inner peace.

My communication style

The atmosphere of my sessions is that of a relaxed ally here to support you with healthy goals of all kinds. I value non-judgemental understanding and compassion and that unconditional warmth and acceptance can be felt in our sessions. I provide clear communication and listen with an emphasis on helping you reach your goals. You will find I enjoy educating because empowering others to have the skills to assist themselves is the ultimate goal of my approach. I will offer kindness, empathy, support, and encouragement on your unique and personal journey.

My journey to mental healthcare

I've always had a heart that loves to be of service--whether it has been playing therapeutic harp and singing in a hospice setting or for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease at assisted living facilities, to being a music teacher for over a decade, to bringing joy through creating art in many forms. My journey to serve my community as a therapist was sparked by my own journey of healing and growth. Unfortunately, I did not receive the assistance I needed at critical moments of my life when I had encountered extreme trauma. I had terrible experiences with unethical therapists as a child and young adult. This propelled me to understand myself and others more, and eventually to become a therapist myself so that hopefully no one would suffer the way I had at the hands of those in positions of trust. I take being a therapist very seriously, as it's a vulnerable place in our hearts to show up in our innocence and trust a stranger with our life story. It is usually pretty scary. So I aim to facilitate the experience with the most comfort, compassion, nonjudgmental acceptance, and support as possible. While not making the same mistakes I saw in those with authority around me, I know what not to do. This helps me on an experiential, not just textbook level, to understand trauma and how it manifests in various forms, and to take my time to do my absolute best to provide ethical, high quality, and optimal services to meet each unique client's needs.

My goals for you

I approach goal setting with a realistic, solution-focused approach that takes small steps to achieve larger goals unique to each person. It's important that each client feels comfortable during each level with clear mutual clarification and communication every step of the way.

My first session with you

Our first session is focused on getting an understanding of what your goals are, learning about your context/environment, how best to support your growth on this journey together, and building trust while in a relaxing atmosphere of comfort.