Joachin Kaaihue, LMFT

Joachin Kaaihue is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Hawaii with 16 years of clinical experience. He works with clients across the lifespan, from young children as young as five to middle schoolers, adolescents, and adults. His background includes work in both private non-profit and public settings, providing a breadth of experience with diverse needs and environments.

Joachin centers his work on what he calls "the conversation" - an open, straightforward dialogue that demystifies counseling and honors each person’s lived experience. In Hawaii this idea often shows up as "talk story," a relaxed, respectful way to share what matters. He approaches clients as the experts on their own lives and aims to help them recognize and use their existing strengths to address current challenges.

Although his professional credential is a marriage and family license, Joachin primarily provides therapy to individuals. He uses a systemic perspective to understand how relationships at work, at home, socially, and personally influence patterns of thinking and behavior. That systemic view serves as a starting point - a blank canvas - for exploring the specific experiences that shape each person’s situation.

Joachin employs client-centered practices alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy to create a pragmatic, strength-based process. Sessions focus on identifying themes behind presenting concerns, clarifying realistic goals, and locating exceptions - moments when the problem is less present - to build practical steps forward. He moves at the client’s pace, allowing space to pause or shift the conversation whenever remembering a particular experience becomes difficult.

In his work he offers judicious use of worksheets and may suggest using an online journal or other resources when they fit a client's routine and preferences. Joachin accepts new clients in Hawaii and conducts sessions by phone, video, live chat, or in-app messaging. He does not currently work with international clients.