I believe every person deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. I strive to create a space where you feel accepted exactly as you are.
Meet Your Big Island of Hawai`i Trauma Therapist
Malie Carvalho, LCSW
Founder of Ka Mana Services and a Hawaiʻi-born, part Native Hawaiian therapist who understands that every person has a story — and every story deserves compassion, respect, and understanding.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · Founder
Aloha, my name is Malie, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Ka Mana Services, LLC. I have spent more than 20 years working in social services in Hawaiʻi, supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. My experiences have taught me that every person has a story, and every story deserves to be met with compassion, respect, and understanding.
Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step. Maybe you’ve been thinking about seeking support for a while, or perhaps something has happened that made you realize you don’t want to keep carrying everything on your own. Wherever you are in your journey, I want you to know that coming to therapy is not a sign of weakness — it is a step toward understanding yourself, creating change, and building the life you want.
20+
years in social services across Hawaiʻi
LCSW
licensed clinical social worker
Adults
(Ages 18 - 60)
Why I Became a Therapist on the Big Island of Hawai`i
Shaped by lived experience
My path to becoming a therapist has been shaped not only by my professional experience, but also by my own lived experiences. I understand that life can be complicated, painful, and unpredictable. I know what it feels like to grow up in a family that was struggling, to experience childhood trauma, and to navigate seasons of life where circumstances feel overwhelming.
I have also experienced the challenges of rebuilding, adapting, and finding strength during difficult times. As a single mother raising my children, while also experiencing the impact of domestic violence, I learned firsthand the importance of support, resilience, and having people who believe in your ability to heal and move forward.
Throughout these experiences, I continued working in social services across Hawaiʻi while pursuing my education and developing my professional skills. My journey was not always easy, but it taught me the power of perseverance, compassion, and the human capacity for growth. Through dedication and determination, I was able to not only overcome significant challenges but also thrive.
These experiences have deeply influenced the way I show up as a therapist. They allow me to meet clients with empathy, understanding, and genuine respect for the challenges they have faced. I know that people are more than the difficult things that have happened to them, and I believe healing is possible when we have the right support, tools, and environment to grow.
I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, understood, and empowered to create a life that feels meaningful. My role is to walk alongside you as you discover your own strengths, process what has happened, and move toward the future you want to create.
My Approach to Therapy on the Big Island of Hawai`i
A collaborative relationship
I believe therapy is a collaborative relationship. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you by helping you better understand your experiences, recognize your strengths, and develop the tools needed to move forward.
I do not believe there is a “one-size-fits-all” approach to healing. Each person brings their own history, culture, values, challenges, and strengths into the therapy room. Together, we will create a treatment approach that fits your needs and your goals.
My work is grounded in evidence-based therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), Behavioral Activation, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). These approaches allow us to address challenges such as trauma, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, chronic pain, and life transitions in a way that is both compassionate and effective.
What I Believe as a therapist on the Big Island of Hawai`i
Healing is possible
- I believe healing happens when people feel safe enough to be seen, heard, and understood.
- I believe your experiences have shaped you, but they do not have to define you.
- I believe that even during the most difficult seasons of life, people have the ability to heal, grow, and reconnect with their own strengths.
- I believe therapy should be a place where you can show up as your authentic self — without judgment, shame, or the pressure to have everything figured out.
My Values
What guides my work
Healing happens through relationships. A strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and understanding is the foundation of meaningful change.
The name Ka Mana means empowerment. I believe you already have strengths, wisdom, and resilience within you. Therapy is about helping you reconnect with those parts of yourself.
Growing up and living in Hawaiʻi has shaped my understanding of the importance of family, community, connection, and the experiences that influence who we become. Healing is not separate from culture, values, and lived experiences.
Life can bring painful experiences, unexpected changes, and difficult challenges. I believe growth is possible when we create space to understand ourselves and learn new ways of moving forward.
What You Can Expect From Me
A therapy experience from the Big Island of Hawai`i that fits you
When you work with me, you can expect a therapy experience that is:
- Compassionate and nonjudgmental
- Collaborative and personalized
- Grounded in evidence-based practices
- Respectful of your values and experiences
- Focused on helping you create meaningful change
You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable to seek support. Whether you are struggling with trauma, anxiety, OCD, depression, chronic pain, major life changes, or simply feeling overwhelmed, therapy can provide a place to pause, reflect, and begin moving forward.
My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you feel supported, empowered, and reminded of your own capacity to heal. I would be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.
Mālama · Kuleana · Pilina
Take the first step toward healing
Seeking support is an act of courage and empowerment. Wherever you are in your journey, Ka Mana Services is here to walk alongside you.
Contact Ka Mana Services