Leisha Ishikawa, Associate Therapist | APCC-14960
Aloha, I am a pre-licensed mental health professional located in Hawai'i practicing under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. I specialize in supporting adults and kūpuna (older adults) through life transitions, grief and loss, caregiving stress, and emotional overwhelm. My approach is warm, multicultural, and strengths-based—I meet you where you are, with deep respect for your lived experience and cultural identity.
Education & Training
I have a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis in gerontological counseling from San Francisco State University. I bring over two years of experience working with older adults living with mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and the challenges of aging and caregiving. I’ve also supported young adult parents (ages 20–30) and children impacted by complex, intergenerational trauma. My clinical training includes CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-focused CBT.
Maria Janelle Bautista, MSW Associate Therapist
Aloha, I am a pre-licensed therapist based in Oʻahu, providing therapy under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker at HOOLA Counseling & Consultation. I work with adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relational challenges, and patterns of perfectionism and people-pleasing.
My approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and culturally attuned, grounded in deep respect for each client’s lived experience. I have a particular passion for supporting individuals from Asian and Pacific Islander (APPI) communities, and I bring a nuanced understanding of cultural identity, family roles, and intergenerational dynamics, including the unique pressures that can come with being the eldest child.
My hope is to create a supportive space where you can explore your experiences, better understand yourself, and move toward healing and growth in a way that feels sustainable and authentic to you.
Education & Training
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Behavioral Health from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
I have worked for over four years as a care coordinator and certified tobacco treatment specialist in a community health setting. In that role, I supported individuals in navigating complex systems and accessing meaningful, sustainable resources. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care into my work, along with ongoing clinical supervision and professional training.
Claudia Q. Baliscao, LCSW, CSAC
Founder & Clinical Supervisor
Claudia Quintero Baliscao, LCSW, is the Founder and Clinical Supervisor of HOOLA Counseling & Consultation. With over two decades of experience in behavioral health, she is recognized for her leadership in trauma-informed care, program development, and clinical supervision across military and civilian settings.
Her perspective is shaped by her lived experience as the daughter of an immigrant family and her connection to the military community. These influences have informed her understanding of resilience, cultural identity, and the complexities individuals and families navigate across systems of care—an understanding that continues to guide her commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed practice.
Claudia’s clinical background includes extensive work with trauma, substance use, and complex mental health presentations. She has led the development and expansion of innovative behavioral health programs, including virtual intensive outpatient services and training pipelines for emerging clinicians. Her work has consistently focused on increasing access to high-quality care while maintaining strong clinical standards and measurable outcomes.
As a leader, Claudia is known for building collaborative, high-performing teams grounded in integrity, accountability, and professional growth. She brings a systems-level perspective to her work, integrating evidence-based practices with culturally responsive care to better serve diverse and underserved communities, including military-connected individuals and families.
In addition to her clinical leadership, Claudia provides supervision and mentorship to associate therapists, supporting the next generation of clinicians in developing strong clinical judgment, ethical practice, and confidence in their work.
HOOLA Counseling & Consultation reflects her vision of a practice that prioritizes both clinical excellence and human connection—where clients receive thoughtful, individualized care, and clinicians are supported in doing their best work.