Counseling Services Staff

Frank Kuo received his M.S. in Counseling and Counselor Education at Indiana University at Bloomington and earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He utilizes Rogers’ Client-centered approach. Frank listens and tries to understand how things are from the client's point of view. He treats the client with the utmost respect and regard. Frank also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The basis of this orientation is around the concept of peoples’ thoughts affecting their actions and if their thoughts change, their actions can change, even if the situation stays the same. He uses many different strategies and techniques in this school of thought, along with borrowing from other approaches if he believes it will be beneficial for his client.

Frank looks at a student’s entire life, i.e. social, family, personal beliefs, environment, and genetics. He views mental health as a continuum, where students should be continuing their growth to the next stage and reaching their highest quality of life. Frank’s areas of interest include multicultural issues, international student outreach, diversity issues and cross-cultural adjustment, spirituality issues, supervision and training, and group counseling. Frank is able to provide bilingual counseling in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Madalyn Freedman, M.A.

Madalyn (she/her) holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from UH Hilo and is currently working towards licensure. Her approach is rooted in client-centered therapy, with the goal of building a trusting relationship based on unconditional positive regard, authenticity, and culturally sensitive understanding. She aims to cultivate a safe space where clients can feel empowered to grow in their own unique direction, based on their personal strengths and values. She works continuously to broaden her knowledge of therapeutic techniques, which she shares in a collaborative manner, in partnership with her clients.

Madalyn's approach is also trauma-informed, particularly regarding complex or developmental trauma. Some of the modalities she has found helpful for trauma include mindfulness-based therapies, somatic and sensorimotor therapies, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. Through doing this work at their own pace, clients have found emotional regulation, integration of internal parts, development of confidence and self-compassion, and greater ease in navigating difficult relationships.

In her free time, Madalyn enjoys making art, reading novels, being outside, and spending time with her cat and other loved ones.

Shannon Thornburg

Mental Health Counseling Pre-licensed Professional.

Shannon takes a person-centered approach by helping her clients feel seen and heard as unique individuals. She has used a trauma-informed lens in her work at Hope Services, a nonprofit organization that serves the homeless population on the Big Island. She also uses this trauma-informed approach when working with the students at the UH counseling center. She has the mission of empowering her clients to find security in the present moment and to cultivate trust in themselves. She utilizes the perspectives and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, somatic therapy, and existentialism to help those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It is her priority to provide a safe space where her clients are welcome to share their wide range of emotions and thoughts without fear of judgment. She supports her clients in finding acceptance and appreciation for their many different parts, especially when these parts seem to be in dissonance with each other. She is continuously growing and expanding her knowledge of how to best help her clients alleviate suffering. In the future, she hopes to become certified in EMDR therapy.