My Approach
Somatic therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that shifts how the nervous system operates. Traditional psychotherapy, cognitive based methods, meant to “fix” often keep us stuck. It can feel like you’re talking in circles without anything changing.
Kathy’s approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed. She believes that healing occurs within a safe therapuetic relationship where clients feel seen, understood, and respected. Drawing from her extensive clinical experience, she integrates evidence-based therapies with mindfulness, somatic awareness, and compassion focused practices.
Services
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Depression
Anxiety
Mood Disorders
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Chronic Illness
Coping Skills
Emotional Disturbance
Grief
Life Transitions
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Spirituality
Stress
Suicidal Ideation
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
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Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors
Coaching
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Compassion Focused
Culturally Sensitive
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing”. & “IFS - Internal Family Systems
Emotionally Focused
Integrative
Interpersonal
Mentalization-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Person-Centered
Psychodynamic
Relational
Strength-Based
Trauma Focused
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Individuals
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Psychedelic substances of any kind, or advice on where/how to acquire them.
Recommendations for using any illegal psychedelic substances.
Pharmaceutical medicine prescription/management.
Legal services.
Client Focus
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Asian and Other Racial or Ethnic Backgrounds
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Buddhist
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Elders (65+)
Adults
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Bisexual Allied
Cancer
Gay Allied
Non-Binary Allied
Open Relationships Non-Monogamy
Racial Justice Allied
Transgender Allied
Education & Training
My background includes training in psychodynamic, mentalization-based, mindfulness-based, CBT, and EMDR therapies. I am a former member of the Harvard Medical School teaching in the hospital's psychiatry department, including as HMS faculty and a speaker for a course on Psychotherapy and Meditation.
Psychedelic Assisted Therapies
I'm a leading advocate of psychedelic assisted therapies. I'm working with colleagues and other Hawaii community groups to pass legislation which would make the use of such therapies legal in the state of Hawaii. I'm a MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies) trainee therapist and hopefully in the future, as these technologies become legal, I will be one of the first therapists able to use these medicines in the work I do. They can help heal people suffering from PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Accepted Insurance Plans
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Hawaii Medical Services Association
Kaiser (Out-of-Network)
University Health Alliance
Appointment Fee
Appointment Fee: $250 per session
Accepted Payment Types: Check & Venmo
Kathy Southard
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
I am an LCSW and psychotherapist in private practice. I have more than 20 years experience as a clinical social worker in medical and psychiatric settings, including as a former VA trauma therapist and a former member of a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital’s psychiatry department.