Meet the CSDC Professional & Support Staff

Kacy Buto

Position: Practicum Trainee

Affiliated with CSDC since: 2024

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.

Allison Drazba

Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Affiliated with CSDC since: 2023

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

Tyler Yoshinaga, B.B.A.

Position: CSDC Assistant

Affiliated with CSDC since: 2023

Daniel Zimbra, Ph.D.

Position: Practicum Trainee

Affiliated with CSDC since: 2024

 

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