Lori Shinsato, LCSW

Lori Shinsato is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Hawaii. She has five years in her LCSW role and a long history as a social worker on the islands dating back to 2008. Lori aims to be approachable, calm, and conversational in sessions so people feel heard and respected.

Raised in Hawaii, she brings community values of humility, cultural respect, and family into her work. Those values shape how she listens and responds. Lori says she plans to listen first and tailor her approach to each person’s needs.

Her practice focuses on stress, anxiety, grief, depression, sleep difficulties, self-esteem, and life changes. She also gives attention to aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and feelings of isolation or loneliness. Lori helps people talk through workplace concerns, career questions, relationship and communication problems, and challenges related to ADHD.

Her style is person-centered and relaxed. Sessions tend to be conversational with an emphasis on understanding what matters most to the client. Lori works collaboratively to set goals and adapt methods as needed.

Outside of work she enjoys museums, live theater, and recreational target sports. She identifies as a Christian and draws on her island upbringing as a steadying influence in her practice.

Therapeutic approaches for online sessions and finding the right fit

Two approaches Lori commonly uses are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy. CBT focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and helps people try new ways of thinking and acting to reduce anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing skills to manage stress, cope with grief, and slow down racing thoughts.

She also uses Motivational Interviewing to help people clarify goals and find internal reasons to change behavior, which can be useful for career shifts, caregiving decisions, or health-related choices. Each method is practical and aimed at helping people take small, workable steps toward their goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Lori will listen to your goals, discuss options, and shape a plan together based on what feels helpful. That collaborative process includes trying approaches and adjusting them over time.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session formats before booking so you know how appointments are delivered. Many people appreciate online therapy because it can fit around work or caregiving schedules, reduce travel time, and make it easier to keep consistent appointments. Discussing practical needs and preferences helps plan sessions that fit your everyday life.