Ilea Jussaume, PsyD

My name is Dr. Ilea Jussaume and I am a licensed clinical psychologist serving those living in Hawai'i (HI License #1712). I work with individual teens (age 14+) and adults, utilizing contemporary Gestalt, Psychodynamic, and attachment-based psychotherapy techniques. My areas of extensive clinical training and focus have been on trauma, grief, and attachment-based mental health issues. I am also increasingly passionate about addressing and taking care of maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. My Therapeutic Approach & Philosophy: First and foremost, I approach all clients with deep respect and humility for our shared humanity. My clients tend to trust me very much and I think in large part that is because I trust them too. I trust my clients to be the expert of their lives and experience. And I deeply trust in each person's innate wisdom, intuition, and ability to heal and grow. I view mental health symptoms as messengers that show us where there is imbalance and dysfunction. Symptoms guide us to see with greater clarity our emotional and relational needs as well as where we could make important changes for the betterment of our mind, body, and soul. From this perspective, our symptoms can become a lens into some of our greatest wisdom-- if we just learn how to listen properly. A core philosophy of the Gestalt therapy approach is the paradoxical idea that symptom relief tends to happen naturally when symptoms and pain are approached with compassion and curiosity rather than met with forceful attempts to get rid of them. Utilizing the trust, depth, and safety created within the therapeutic relationship, I assist clients in increasing their self awareness and understanding about the roots of what ails them as well as how ongoing patterns of relating to themselves and others may hinder or prevent them from living as they desire. This work of navigating trauma and emotional wounds often illuminates personal values and priorities. With greater self awareness and clarity of what matters most to them, my clients can start to have greater choice and freedom in how they relate and respond to the stories and events within their lives. My Training: I am originally from Colorado, where I completed my bachelor of science degree in psychology with a minor in biology. I graduated from Pacific University in Oregon with a doctorate in clinical psychology in 2015. My clinical experiences in graduate school took place in community mental health centers with focus on working with indigenous populations and those who have been marginalized. My dissertation examined the traumatic effects of experiencing chronic racism. I completed my postdoctoral residency training at the Children's Farm Home in Corvallis, Oregon, a psychiatric inpatient facility for children and adolescents suffering from severe mental health challenges and high suicidal risk. There, I conducted comprehensive psychological assessments and made recommendations for care based on the results. While I learned a tremendous amount from conducting assessments, I yearned to get back to my true love: therapy. Since my residency, I have worked as part of a local nonprofit integrated health center collaborating with other medical professionals in order to ensure holistic, wrap-around care. Since living on Big Island, I have come to intimately know the unique challenges and disparities of rural living and healthcare. I have always been passionate about advocating for and standing beside those who have been rendered voiceless in society. My personal and professional dedication to the unheard continues as I lay roots deeper here in Hawai'i and learn more about the indigenous people here, and the systemic exploitation and historical trauma that continues to affect and harm the kanaka maoli of this land. Although not formal clinical training, I have been dancing hula as part of a hālau for a couple of years under the instruction of Kumu Lanakila Mangauil. Hula has been one of my greatest teachers for learning more about the true culture, values, and stories of native Hawai'i. But it has also taught me the importance of aligning with nature, nurturing discipline, and being accountable to a group of like-minded, dedicated people. We really do better in all ways when we need to show up and be responsible to others. Lanakila is one of the most dedicated individuals I know in his efforts to inclusively preserve native Hawaiian culture and protect and restore the ʻĀina. I often utilize the education and wisdom I gain from my hula practice in my therapeutic work with clients. If you are a native Hawaiian and would like to work together but cannot afford or access my services, please reach out to me directly to arrange a way to work together. About Me: I currently live in North Kohala with my husband, daughter, and menagerie of animals. We own a small artisanal sea salt company, Kokoiki Saltworks, that was birthed at the height of the pandemic. My husband's salt products are healing tools in themselves. He creates high quality food salt, therapeutic soaking bath salts, and rejuvenating body salt scrubs. I recommend them to anyone interested in developing a more intimate relationship with themselves and the healing essence of our beautiful Kohala coast. I ritually use them for my own healing. I firmly believe we cannot pour from an empty cup so I do my best to take care of myself by prioritizing my own mental health and wellness, engaging in creative and fun activities, and staying involved with supportive community and colleagues. I also believe that as a potential client, you have a right to ask me about my values and beliefs, especially if they could impact your sense of safety, trust, and decision making for who you seek as a provider of your mental health care. Please feel free to reach out to me if there is additional information you would like to know about me before we move forward in working together.