Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Owner of Akua Family Therapy

*Seeing Clients In-Person at Hilo Office and Kurtistown Office, and Online via Telehealth

Aaron specializes in systemic marriage and family therapy. Aaron has an eye for helping individuals and couples to build insight through psycho-education, processing and family interactions.

Aaron’s specialty areas: Emotion Coaching, Couples Therapy, Emotional Regulation, Trauma Processing with EMDR, Christian Integration, Family Therapy, Psycho-education, Social Skill Building. 

Aaron’s Background:

Hi my name is Aaron Akua Collins. I am the practice owner of Akua Family Therapy and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who received my Master’s degree at Argosy University in Hilo, Hawaii in 2014. I pride myself on being born and raised in Hawaii, growing up in Puna and being someone who is relatable, down to earth, genuine, and respectful. As a Christian man, getting saved at age 15, I believe God has put a calling on my life to serve him by serving and helping others. 

“I find that I am able to relate in a way that helps others feel safe and free to express, process and build insight.”

I chose to name my therapy practice AKUA FAMILY THERAPY because AKUA is my middle name. In Hawaii AKUA also means God or Spirit. I want the community and my clients to know that I am a christian and AKUA Family Therapy is a safe place for people to come and process their baggage, their hurts, their trials, their challenges and feel supported and encouraged and cared for. I am passionate about serving God and people. I enjoy seeing lives changed as people gain insight and realize their full potential.

In addition to my work as a therapist, I have also served in the community for many years with organizations such as Young Life where I volunteered my time working to mentor and support Big Island teens.  I have also been involved with several church organizations, volunteering in food distribution to those in need, various community service projects, youth ministry, administration, men’s ministry, and eldership.

 

Prior to working as a therapist in private practice, I worked in several community based organizations including Hale Kipa Inc. as a clinical supervisor, mental health professional and paraprofessional.  I’ve also worked as a program coordinator for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  I worked many years with children with developmental disabilities (autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy), including working at Bayada Home Healthcare and The Institute For Family Enrichment as a skills trainer in various public schools.

 

At age 20 I traveled to Australia and completed a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Upon returning home, I got involved with serving as the Youth Pastor at my church for about 6 years, and have continued to serve our community till present.

 

I am from the Big Island, born and raised.  I graduated from Waiakea High School and grew up in Puna where I currently reside. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. I love to travel and have been to Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Nepal, and the Mainland United States.  I enjoy astrophotography, light painting and art.  The ocean is where I love to exercise and play. 

 

I have been married since 2010.  My wife is from the Philippines, so I am familiar with cross-cultural and language barriers in the context of marriage.  Living in a multicultural family myself, I understand how difficult it can be to maintain peace and stability in the home. Many of the tools and interventions that I use with my clients have been utilized and implemented in my own life and have been very helpful for helping me to better understand myself, my family and other relationships.

I am also a person who has battled with anxiety, panic attacks, trauma and distress. I have been to therapy and have learned ways to cope and journey through these mental and emotional battles. I share these things in confidence that you will find something in common with my personal story, and that we can work together to help you develop goals and transition toward the life that you are looking for.

 

I look forward to connecting with you!