My name is Justin Larkin, MA, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor based in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. I work with adults and young adults across Hawai‘i through telehealth, as well as in person through nature-based therapy experiences on the Kona side of the island.

I hold a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and founded Ho‘omau Counseling to offer a thoughtful and personalized approach to therapy that integrates traditional counseling with the restorative benefits of time in nature.

I bring more than fifteen years of experience working in a variety of therapeutic environments, including addiction treatment, wilderness therapy, horticultural therapy, residential programs, and private practice. These experiences shaped my belief that therapy is not only about addressing problems, but about helping people build a life that feels meaningful, balanced, and alive.

My work is rooted in positive psychology. This means we certainly address the challenges and patterns that may be holding you back, but we also focus on developing strengths, habits, and perspectives that support resilience, purpose, and well-being.

Many people assume that if anxiety or depression goes away, happiness will naturally appear. In reality, mental health is not simply the absence of distress. It is the presence of connection, meaning, growth, and engagement with life.

I am passionate about helping people move beyond simply “getting by” and toward building a life that feels purposeful, playful, and fulfilling, even while navigating the inevitable challenges that come with being human.

The name Ho‘omau comes from the Hawaiian word meaning “to persevere” or “to continue forward,” reflecting the belief that meaningful change happens through steady effort and growth over time.