Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional

*Seeing Clients In-Person at Kurtistown Office, and 

Online via Telehealth

Ellie specializes in couples therapy and related issues, offering a safe and nurturing space for you and your partner to strengthen your bond and overcome obstacles together. Ellie also works with adult individuals.

Ellie’s specialty areas: Couples Therapy, Sexual Issues, Recovery from Infidelity, Erotic Recovery, First Responders, Co-parenting Therapy. 

Ellie’s Background

My name is Ellie Garrison, and I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. I met Aaron Collins in the spring of 2022, and volunteered to help him renovate what is now my very lovely therapy office at the Kurtistown location. In 2023 I was welcomed into the Akua Family Therapy group practice as a pre-licensed therapist.

My family and I moved from New Mexico to the Big Island in 2022. I love being outdoors, running, and CrossFit. I have been to every inhabited continent, although if I am honest, I don’t especially enjoy traveling. I love being home with my family. My travels have mostly consisted of volunteer work, but my favorite destination was Colombia, to finalize our adoption of the sweetest baby in the history of the world (our son).

After years of teaching high school a series of events led me to pursue a career in therapy. I am genuinely passionate about helping couples and individuals navigate life’s hardships, drawing from my own life journey to understand the complexities involved. I believe that what you care about is not merely a feeling but an intrinsic part of who you are. It is woven into the very fabric of your being and represents God’s invitation for you to contribute to the flourishing of humanity. This profound truth guides my approach in serving my clients.

I strive to create a safe and supportive environment for my clients. I believe in the inherent resilience within each individual and relationship and work collaboratively with my clients to explore their strengths, develop coping strategies, and foster healing and growth. I have a tremendous respect for the beauty of diversity. Having grown up in a highly diverse community, I understand the importance of respecting other’s cultural values and worldview. Not only is this my personal moral standard, it is a professional ethic I commit to uphold.

I am dedicated to ongoing professional development, staying informed about the latest research and evidence-based practices in the field of mental health counseling. By integrating this knowledge with a deep sense of empathy and understanding, I aim to empower my clients to overcome challenges, find meaning, and live more fulfilling lives. I am honored to be part of my clients’ journeys and consider it a privilege to support them as they navigate their own paths toward healing, self-discovery, and personal transformation.