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.

Andrea joined UH Hilo Counseling Services in 2025. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles and has been a practicing therapist since 2010. Before joining UH Hilo, Andrea provided mental health services in higher education settings at College of the Redwoods and Cal Poly Humboldt in coastal Northern California. Earlier in her career she worked for a small rural county mental health agency in the mountains of Northern California and before that at Kaiser Permanente Addiction Medicine in Los Angeles.

Andrea’s clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, with primary modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. She works from a trauma-informed and culturally humble lens, supporting students in developing emotional regulation, healthy communication, boundary-setting skills, and a deeper sense of self-awareness and self-worth.

Andrea has also been a supervisor to master’s level marriage and family therapy students since 2019.

Andrea is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and collaborative therapeutic environment. She welcomes UH Hilo students to reach out for support during their academic journey.

Reece Uratani earned his B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is currently pursuing an EdD in Educational Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu. He currently works as an academic counselor with the TRIO Student Support Services Program at UH Hilo, supporting undergraduate students’ academic success and personal development. His professional background includes experience as a research analyst focused on adolescent and young adult development - examining mental health, identity, and career development among high school and college students in Hawaii - as well as systems-level work as a care coordinator and program manager with the Hawaii Department of Health Early Intervention Section. Reece is committed to providing culturally responsive, holistic, and student-centered support.

Nina Kapuni originally from Kaʻū on the Big Island has been residing in Hilo for the past 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo campus. Drawing from her background in education and holistic healing, Nina embraces an integrative approach to counseling that combines evidence-based interventions with a person-centered holistic perspective. Nina believes that every individual possesses inherent strengths and a unique life story that deserves to be honored with respect, compassion, and cultural sensitivity. She is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences, deepen self understanding and move toward meaningful growth and healing. Ultimately, her hope is to assist others in living life fully in the present moment from a place of self acceptance, authenticity, and wholeness.

Laura earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where she was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Counseling Psychology, also at UH Hilo. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is her foundation, she draws on a wide range of empirical healing techniques and modalities, anchored in a person-centered approach, with somatic and mindfulness tools.

College is a special time with a focus on creating your identity and future, and sometimes that pressure can feel overwhelming. Laura is here to help, no matter what you are facing. She loves supporting folks grappling with issues surrounding their roles, identity, body image, and trauma on the path to inner freedom. She also loves supporting couples or individuals navigating their relationships and interpersonal issues. She believes that when we are struggling, it is common to feel alone and stuck. You are not meant for isolation. Through individualized mental health support, you can find the confidence and safety within yourself to reconnect in community and relationships again.