AUTHOR

Kimberly Ala’ilima LMFT, EMDRIA

Private Practice

Licensing & Certifications:

EMDRIA Approved Consultant, 2022
EMDR Certified, Consultant-in-Training 2017

Professional Background

Kimberly Ala’ilima is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Honolulu, Hawaii with experience in Los Angeles, CA and throughout the Hawaiian islands. She has worked in child study and intensive learning centers, social agencies, and state departments of education and health. Kim later began her private practice with expertise in Play Therapy, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and the powerful tool of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). In 22 years of practice, Kim has grown expertise in anxiety, panic, and trauma, as well as obtained her certification in EMDR. She has been coaching EMDR trainings since 2017 as a Consultant-in-Training. She has since expanded her role to include consultation of EMDR clinicians and earned the title of an EMDRIA Approved Consultant in 2022.

In her private practice, Kim has experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. With EMDR as the lens she views her practice through, she integrates many other resources and interventions into her work with clients. These include CBT, Somatic Resourcing, Mindfulness, Art and Narrative Therapy, Guided Visualization, Thought Field Therapy, post-partum work, and internal parts integration. As the child of a career Naval Officer, Kim has an inside perspective into military family systems and finds purpose in working with military and first responders as they serve their communities. Honoring the beautiful place and people where she lives, Kim draws from indigenous spirituality and wisdom as she learns and grows with her clients and consultees.

Kim is passionate about community well-being and the excellence of mental health providers, leading private and agency consultation groups locally as well as across North America. She has been a guest on multiple national podcasts, and has lectured at Hawaii graduate programs and the Sexual Health School, as well as an online program for healthcare professionals seeking human sexuality training. She gave a presentation about EMDR at the 2021 Behavioral Health Convention.

Professional Organizations

Full Member of EMDR International Association
Professional Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Education:

MS, Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary
BA, Psychology, Azusa Pacific University

Area of Focus:

With over 22 years of experience, specializes in anxiety, panic, and trauma, certified in EMDR. She offers diverse interventions including CBT, mindfulness, and art therapy. Passionate about community well-being, she leads consultation groups and lectures nationally on mental health.

EMDR therapy to address anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, grief, body issues and relational work with children, couples and individuals
Somatic Resourcing, Psychoeducation, and EMDR therapy with military and first responders to address PTSD and promote Post-Traumatic Growth and healing
Couples therapy utilizing EMDR to promote understanding, improve connection, and facilitate healing, particularly around difficulties with childhood trauma and infidelity

Parenting and family therapy, utilizing art and narrative therapy, play therapy, EMDR, and Thought Field Therapy
Consultation with clinicians who have been trained in EMDR and are completing Basic Training or earning Certification

10 Common Marriage Reconciliation Mistakes to Avoid After Infidelity

Infidelity is one of the most difficult issues to cope with in a marriage. Reconciliation is possible though, if both partners are deliberate in their intention to repair the damage infidelity causes. With honesty, support, robust and healthy communication, an equal commitment to the marriage, and applied insights, a couple can repair and rebuild their marriage.

October 10, 2022

Bilateral Stimulation: What It Is, Effects, & Use in EMDR

Bilateral stimulation refers to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, tapping, and eye movement, that activate both sides of the brain. Bilateral stimulation can be a great tool in eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR), as it can soothe and calm the client’s nervous system, enhancing the client’s access to positive images, thoughts, emotions and body sensations.

October 10, 2022