Jerry Coffee, LCSW

Aloha ! I am a clinical therapist in love with my work and the people of Hawaii for over 25 years. I am proud to have grown up in Leeward Oahu attending and graduating from public schools and completing college both in Hawaii and on the mainland. I am a proud graduate of the University of Hawaii where I completed my  MSW degree prior to licensing as an LCSW. My work is guided by my commitment to the principal that the most important relationship we ever have is the one that we have with ourselves.  

“The truth of who we are is innate goodness, and the whole journey is really about removing any obstacle or false belief that keeps us from knowing that” ― Alanis Morissette

Underlying depression, anxiety and PTSD often are everyday life challenges that become less confusing when witnessed also by another person.  Work that we  accomplish together will include goal setting and skill building to address: interpersonal relationships and boundaries, seeing the impact of family of origin, self esteem and confidence issues, increasing anger management and emotional regulation, resolving workplace or career path issues,  parenting challenges and thriving before, during or after divorce. These and other challenges are opportunities that we can face together  setting clear and tangible goals, employing evidenced based practices, common sense and sometimes, humor.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ― Maya Angelou

“When you don’t talk, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.” ― Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Eye Motion Desensitization and Re-processing ( EMDR ) is a technique used  in therapy to identify inaccurate beliefs developed about “self” following a traumatic event.  As a seasoned and clinically trained provider of EMDR, we can work together to see if EMDR would be helpful for you.  The work of EMDR is to establish new beliefs about self and the world and to alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.

“Trauma is not about what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of empathetic witness.” — Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

“The effects of trauma can be passed down through the generations, but so can the resilience and healing.” – Dr. Soma Ganesan

As special as Hawaii is – it can also be a challenging environment for developing and sustaining a career. Many clients in my practice are looking for solutions to increase  success in understanding the “workplace in Hawaii”. Building professional relationships in Hawaii can be challenging given Hawaii’s complex cultural norms. My work in organizational development and leadership coaching prepares me to provide honest and professional guidance that is especially important for those who may be new to living and working in Hawaii. 

"Only one man in a thousand is a leader of men — the other 999 follow women.” — Groucho Marx

“When what you hear and what you see don’t match, trust your eyes.” 

― Dale Renton

Thank you for considering me to be a trusted partner on your path to clarity. My work is grounded in the basic fact that the rapport between client and therapist is the  most powerful agent for change. In my practice, you can learn how to build a fulfilling relationship with yourself and anyone else in your life who is willing and worth doing it for. Let’s do this.