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Hello! My name is Joanne Lam, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Oahu, Hawaii. I work with clients statewide via telehealth and have had over 15 years of clinical experience working with adults, couples, families, and adolescents. I specialize in depression, anxiety, stress, life-cycle transitions, trauma, and grief. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental, and nurturing space where my clients can explore and embrace their authentic selves.
My approach
My approach is always strength-based and client-centered. My theoretical framework stems from Cognitive Behavioral, Narrative, Solution-Focused, and Person-Centered therapies in combination with mindfulness and somatic experiences. I am here to walk alongside your journey of self-discovery and offer coping skills through your healing process. When working with couples, I use The Gottman Method to help couples break conflict cycles and increase their emotional connection to achieve a more satisfying relationship.
My focus
I’ve had extensive experiences working with individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, parenting issues, adjustment struggles to life transitions, work stress, imposter syndrome, relationship conflicts, and family dynamics. The clients who fit well into my practice are those who are looking to reflect on their inner conflicts and develop ways to improve their self-awareness and confidence to overcome life challenges.
My communication style
My natural tone is calm, inviting, respectful, and personable. I recognize it can be difficult to start therapy and to ask for support. It’s the bravest and best thing one can do for themselves and those in their life. Hence, I strive to make the process of coming to therapy something that feels supportive, non-judgmental, and helpful. I want my clients to walk away from sessions feeling relieved, encouraged, and empowered to make positive changes.
My journey to mental healthcare
At a young age, I knew I wanted to become a therapist because I have always naturally been drawn to helping others through challenging situations. Being the oldest in my family, I am personable and tend to be a problem-solver. I love seeing the joy people find when they are able to resolve the challenges that they have been dealing with. I am passionate about creating an environment where people can learn, heal, and become their best and most authentic selves.
My goals for you
My approach to goal setting with clients is all about collaboration. I work with my clients to define what they would like to accomplish in our time together. This process often starts by building trust and rapport between us, followed by identifying clients’ strengths and uniqueness to increase internal motivation in achieving goals. In addition, I remind clients of the flexible nature of goals and consistently evaluate and adjust goals as necessary.
My first session with you
Clients should expect a warm and inviting space in which I will ask a series of questions to get to know them, establish a therapeutic alliance, and identify treatment goals. I also encourage clients to ask questions about the therapeutic process and my approach. I am mindful that each individual is different; hence, I take pride in active listening instead of assuming I know what will work best for my clients moving forward.
