The Assisting Students in Distress: Green Folder Project is a quick reference guide for faculty and staff on how to recognize, support, and refer distressed students. To request hard copies for your department, please complete our Google form.
Meet the CSDC Professional & Support Staff
- Kacy Buto
- Melissa "Meli" Leilani Devencenzi, Psy.D.
- Allison Drazba
- Jesse Hutchison, Ph.D.
- Patrick Jichaku, Ph.D.
- Alexander Khaddouma, Ph.D.
- Jan-Louw Kotze
- Tommie Laba, Ph.D.
- Stephanie Lee
- Zhen Li, Ph.D.
- Melisse Claireneth Liwag
- Talaivosa "Ate" Moala
- Linda Nahulu, M.D.
- Trystin Nakayama
- Julie Nishihira, Psy.D.
- Abigail "Abby" Norton
- Allyson M. Tanouye, Ph.D.
- Avery Tyson
- Tyler Yoshinaga
- Daniel Zimbra, Ph.D.
Melissa "Meli" Leilani Devencenzi, Psy.D.
Position: Licensed Psychologist
Education: Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology, Springfield College;
M.S. in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, California Baptist University;
B.S. in Psychology, Chaminade University of Honolulu;
A.S. in Criminology/Criminal Justice, Chaminade University of Honolulu
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2024
Professional Interests: Indigenous Mental Health and Healing; Native Hawaiian Mental Health; life transitions; multicultural/diversity issues; identity development and intersectionality (e.g., gender, sexuality, culture, political, religious); relationship health; existential concerns; faith and cultural crisis/transitions.
Jesse Hutchison, Ph.D.
Position: Licensed Psychologist; Co-Coordinator of Peer Fellow Program
Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, American University, 2014;
M.A. in Psychology, American University, 2012;
A.B. in Psychology and English, Cornell University, 2006.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2022; also 2013-2015
Professional Interests: Individual and group psychotherapy; Psychodynamic, insight-oriented, and integrative therapies; boundaries and self-care.
Patrick Jichaku, Ph.D.
Position: Licensed Psychologist
Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Minnesota, 1994;
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, 1987;
B.A., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 1981.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2009
Professional Interests: Individual, group, and couple & family counseling and psychotherapy; crisis counseling; mindfulness meditation and its psychological applications; person-centered cultural psychology; personality assessment.
Alexander Khaddouma, Ph.D.
Position: Licensed Psychologist; Coordinator of Clinical Services
Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2018;
M.A. in Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2014;
B.A. in Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2011.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2017
Professional Interests: Romantic relationship health; couple therapy; family therapy; young adult psychological health.
Jan-Louw Kotze, M.S.
Position: Doctoral Psychology Intern
Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twins Cities, 2025 (expected);
M.S. in Behavioral and Brain Science, University of South Alabama, 2019;
B.A. in Psychology, University South Alabama, 2017;
B.S. in Exercise Science, University of South Alabama, 2017.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2022
Professional Interests: Individual- and group psychotherapy; career counseling; men and masculinities; romantic relationship health and functioning; personality assessment and interpretation; existential issues; religion and spirituality; student-athlete performance and mental health; humanistic/person-centered therapy; cognitive-behavioral therapy; training and supervision; international students and culture
Tommie Laba, Ph.D.
Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2023;
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2020;
B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Sociology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2014.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2022
Professional Interests: Cognitive behavioral therapy; anxiety; depression; stress management and promotion of self-care; multicultural and diversity related concerns; women's issues.
Stephanie Lee, M.Ed.
Position: Coordinator of Testing; Case Manager; Co-Coordinator of Staff Development
Education: M.Ed. in Educational Foundations, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2020;
B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Religion,
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2006.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2018
Professional Interests: Student affairs; student development; gender issues; personality types; cultural identity
Zhen Li, Ph.D.
Position: Licensed Psychologist; Coordinator of Outreach
Education: Ph..D. in Counseling Psychology, Brigham Young University. 2017;
Master of Second Lanuage Teaching, Utah State University, 2021;
B.S. in Psychology, Central China Normal University, 2012;
LL.B. in Sociology, Central China Normal University, 2012
.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2022
Professional Interests: Mindfulness- and acceptance-based theories; anxiety; trauma; group therapy; multicultural/diversity issues; faith crisis/transitions; international students; self-compassion.
Melisse Claireneth Liwag, M.S.
Position: Doctoral Psychology Intern
Education: M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University, 2023;
B.S. in Cognitive Science (Neuroscience emphasis), University of California, Davis, 2019;
B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Davis, 2019.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2024
Professional interests: Ethnic minority mental health (e.g., Asian, Filipino/a/x American); immigrant mental health; multicultural/diversity issues; personal and professional adjustment/transitions; interpersonal concerns; boundary-setting and self-care; mindfulness meditation; self-compassion; professional development.
Talaivosa "Ate" Moala, MPH
Position: Instructional and Student Support Specialist
Education: Master of Public Health, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2022;
B.A. in Political Science and Biology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2013 and 2016.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2008
Linda Nahulu, M.D.
Position: Psychiatrist
Education: M.D., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, JABSOM, 1987.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2009
Professional Interests: Native Hawaiian Mental Health, Suicide; Suicidal-Related Behaviors and Prevention relating to Indigenous Pacific Islander in the United States.
Trystin Nakayama, M.Ed.
Position: Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the Director
Education: M.Ed. in Educational Administration, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2021;
B.A. in Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2009.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2013
Julie Nishihira, Psy.D.
Position: Licensed Psychologist; Co-Coordinator of Peer Fellow Program; Co-Coordinator of Staff Development
Education: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Argosy University, 2017;
M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Argosy University, 2011;
B.A. in Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu, 2004.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2016
Professional Interests: Humanistic therapy; transitional/life issues; anxiety; self-esteem; career counseling; self-care
Abigail "Abby" Norton, MPH
Position: Doctoral Psychology Intern
Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Brigham Young University, Current;
Master of Public Health (MPH), Brigham Young University, 2019
B.A. in Communication with University Honors, Brigham Young University, 2017.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2024
Professional Interests: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Neurodiversity (e.g., ASD, ADHD); LGBTQ+ issues; multicultural/diversity issues; family/interpersonal relationships and functioning; anxiety and anxiety-related issues.
Allyson M. Tanouye, Ph.D.
Position: Director and Chief Psychologist; Interim Coordinator of Training, Coordinator of Counselor-in-Residence Program, and Coordinator of Post-Doctoral Training
Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1990;
M.Ed. in Counselor Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa;
B.S. in Human Development, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Affiliated with CSDC since: 1991
Professional Interests: Training and supervision; multicultural diversity; career life development; self-esteem in women.
Avery Tyson
Position: Practicum Trainee
Education: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Hawai'i Pacific University, Current candidate;
B.A. in Psychology, Hawai'i Pacific University, 2022
Affiliated with CSDC since: 2024
Professional Interests: Integrative therapy; meaning-centered therapy; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); strengths-based approaches; eating disorders; childhood trauma; sexual trauma; personality & self-expression; identity & sexuality; sports psychology; self-esteem; relationships & attachment