Dani Nachampassak Agbayani

I'm a therapist licensed in Hawaii with a deep appreciation for the specific pressures people here carry — the cost of living, the distance from family on the mainland, the way Hawaii can feel like paradise to visitors and like relentless pressure to those who actually live and work here.

I specialize in working with adults and seniors navigating anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, stress, family tension, and substance use. I also work with couples using the Gottman Method — a research-based approach that helps partners move from stuck patterns into genuine understanding. My background is bicultural and my approach is relational — which means I pay attention to who you are in the context of your family, your culture, and your community, not just the symptoms you bring to the session.

I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on what you're working through, I draw from MBCT, CPT, Problem-Solving Therapy, and Relational Therapy. For couples, I use the Gottman Method — which gives us concrete tools rather than just talking about the same conflict in different ways. In practice, sessions are collaborative and practical. For clients managing substance use, we work without shame and without judgment, focusing on what's underneath the behavior and what a different life could actually look like.

The first session is about getting to know you — not an intake form come to life, but an actual conversation. I'll ask about what's bringing you in, what your life looks like right now, and what you're hoping therapy can help you change or understand. You don't need to have it all figured out before we start. Most people feel a mix of nervous and relieved after the first session. I see clients across all the Hawaiian islands via telehealth — so wherever you are in Hawaii, you can log on from wherever feels comfortable and private for you.