How Jennifer works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- Hawaii
- Years in practice
- 22
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Jennifer
Dr. Jennifer De Costa is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 22 years of clinical experience based in Hawaii. She works with adults experiencing stress, anxiety, grief, anger, addiction concerns, and life changes.
Her manner is direct and compassionate, helping people talk through immediate problems and find steady ways forward. Jennifer draws on Client-Centered Therapy to focus on each person's strengths and priorities. She also uses Motivational Interviewing to help people clarify what they want to change and Narrative Therapy to examine the stories that shape choices.
Background and approach
Sessions are practical and collaborative rather than abstract or directive. Her approach is interactive and respectful. She emphasizes dignity and helps clients identify small, doable steps to reduce distress and regain control.
This can include strategies for anger management, coping with grief, or addressing career and self-esteem concerns. Dr. De Costa pays attention to life context, such as caregiver stress, blended family dynamics, adoption and foster care issues, and aging-related concerns.
She helps people untangle complex situations and set realistic goals that fit their daily lives. People who prefer a warm, straightforward conversation about problems and goals tend to fit well with her style. She collaborates on a treatment plan and adjusts it as needs change.
Sessions can include short-term focused work or longer-term exploration depending on what the person wants to achieve.
What Jennifer works with
Everything Jennifer lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Jennifer's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Forgiveness
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
Approaches Jennifer lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapeutic approaches shape online care
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and responding to what matters most to each person. The therapist follows the client's lead, reflects priorities, and helps people build on their natural strengths to handle stress, grief, and anger.Motivational Interviewing is a goal-focused way to talk about change. It helps people clarify what they want, weigh options, and find personal motivation for next steps when facing addiction, career shifts, or difficult habits.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose or blend methods that fit their goals, preferences, and the specific problems they bring. That process is flexible and can change over time as needs evolve.
Online therapy makes these approaches easier to access from different places. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when helpful. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited or a quicker check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief updates, reflection between sessions, or for people who prefer writing to talking. These formats give flexibility to fit therapy into busy lives and to keep momentum between in-depth sessions.
Questions people ask about Jennifer
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, addictions, self-esteem, career concerns, and related life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is interactive and supportive. Sessions focus on strengths, clear goals, and practical steps rather than long lectures.
What is her background and level of experience?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 22 years of experience working with a range of concerns including trauma, relationship issues, and caregiver stress.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She holds a Hawaii LMFT license and practices with that credential in her professional work.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.