Trauma, PTSD, and C-PTSD
Trauma, complex post-traumatic stress, chronic stress, adversity, and experiences that remain difficult to name or resolve.
Accepting new clients
Therapy for adults throughout Hawaiʻi
Trauma-informed care that connects the story with the body.
I help adults work through trauma, anxiety, burnout, mood concerns, recovery, and major life transitions—with practical tools, direct conversation, and nervous-system education that makes sense in real life.
What I treat
Start with what is happening now.
You do not need the perfect diagnosis or a neatly organized explanation before reaching out.
Many of my clients are capable, thoughtful people who have become very good at enduring. We begin by understanding what is affecting your life and what kind of support may help.
Anxiety and panic
Overthinking, vigilance, panic, overwhelm, irritability, and difficulty feeling settled or safe.
Depression and mood
Depression, bipolar disorder, emotional distress, loss of motivation, and changing mood patterns.
Sleep and insomnia
Sleep disruption and insomnia treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), in which I am certified.
Forensic and justice-involved care
Reentry, incarceration-related trauma, court or mandated services, institutional systems, and the stress of navigating behavioral health alongside the justice system.
Burnout and life transitions
Compassion fatigue, work stress, caregiving, grief, menopause-related change, and major life transitions.
Recovery and substance use
Substance-use concerns, recovery, relapse prevention, and the relationship between coping, trauma, and behavior.
Regulation and self-concept
Nervous-system regulation, coping skills, self-esteem, body image, and learning to respond differently under stress.
Insurance and payment
Telehealth is available statewide in Hawaiʻi, with limited in-person availability.
AlohaCareHMSA Blue Cross Blue ShieldUnitedHealthcareKaiser by referralHMAAUHAPrivate pay
Request an appointmentTelehealthStatewide in Hawaiʻi
In personLimited availability
AdultsIndividual therapy
InsuranceMultiple plans accepted
Experience rooted in Hawaiʻi
More than a decade of clinical and community-based behavioral-health experience.
I began in community-based case management and have worked across therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, substance-use services, justice-involved reentry, program leadership, education, and provider training.
2008Living and serving on Oʻahu
2009Working in mental health
2017Clinical, CSAC, and reentry work
2020Licensed clinical social worker
How I work
Eclectic by training. Intentional in practice.
The method should serve the person. The person should never have to perform for the method.
My work is trauma-informed, body-aware, collaborative, and grounded in established approaches. I translate clinical concepts and physiology into language you can understand and use.
Trauma processing
Cognitive Processing Therapy and trauma-focused approaches for experiences and beliefs that remain unresolved.
Cognitive and behavioral
CBT, DBT-informed skills, Problem-Solving Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
Body and nervous system
Somatic approaches, mindfulness-based work, nervous-system education, and polyvagal-informed care.
Strength and motivation
Motivational Interviewing, Compassion-Focused Therapy, strengths-based care, and Positive Psychology.
Sleep and life-stage care
CBT for insomnia and menopause-informed support for physiological, emotional, and relational changes.
Creative and integrative
Appropriate art-based interventions and other evidence-informed strategies selected for your needs.
You will not be treated like a collection of symptoms—or handed a string of clinical terms and expected to determine what they mean.
Credentials
Training matters. So does knowing how to use it.
I bring clinical experience, nervous-system education, somatic awareness, and directness into the room.
Licensed Clinical Social WorkerHawaiʻi LCSW-4620
Certified Substance Abuse CounselorIntegrated understanding of recovery and behavioral health
Certified Complex PTSD Treatment SpecialistSpecialized training in complex post-traumatic stress and trauma recovery
Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for InsomniaStructured, evidence-based treatment for chronic insomnia and sleep disruption
Applied Graduate Certificate in Forensic PsychologySupporting justice-involved clients and reentry work dating to 2017
Nervous-system educatorSomatic awareness, interoception, and practical regulation strategies
Professional servicesClinical consultation, licensed supervision, education, and provider training are available separately from individual therapy.
Access and referrals
Clear next steps for clients and professionals.
For prospective clients
Appointments begin with a brief screening to determine whether my services match your needs. You can request an appointment securely online.
Request an appointmentPrefer email? elaine@sparkproject.netPlease use email for scheduling or general inquiries only and do not include sensitive health information.
For agencies and referral partners
Hospitals, clinics, physicians, case managers, therapists, insurers, and community agencies may contact the practice to discuss availability or submit a referral.
- Office: 808-304-8457
- Fax: 800-878-7934
- Email: elaine@sparkproject.net
- Scheduling: Secure client portal
Meet Elaine
Clinical experience, curiosity, and a practical way forward.
I’m Elaine Hicks, LCSW, CSAC. I listen carefully, ask difficult questions, and respectfully call attention to patterns that may be costing you more than they are protecting you. Our work can include practical tools, nervous-system education, new ways of understanding your responses, and—when useful—something to explore between sessions.
I am also known as The Underwater Therapist, an author, educator, and freediving instructor. My broader work examines trauma, human physiology, and the conditions that allow people to feel safe enough for choice, connection, and skill to return.
Getting started
Let’s find out whether we work well together.
Begin with a brief screening so we can talk about what is happening, what you need, and whether my approach is the right fit. You do not need a perfect explanation before reaching out.
Request an appointment