Hawaii native, Elnora Waoala Hiers, MSCP, NCC, LMHC, QMHP, always knew she wanted to help people. Her interest in various populations, how they behave and why they think and act the way they do, ignited her interest in psychology. In 1994, she started her college education.
Today she has a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology, is aNational Certified Counselor, a Licensed Mental Health Counselorand a Qualified Mental Health Professional.
“My love for people and their wellbeing has kept me in this career,” Elnora admits. “I used to take homeless people in and help them clean up and feed them. I advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves.”
Currently, Elnora has a private therapy and counseling practice. She also works for North Shore Mental Health as a Community Based Case Manager and assists those with severe and persistent mental illness. She provides crisis intervention, stabilization of mental health symptoms, medication and symptom management. Elnora also assists with housing, employment, disability benefits, budgeting, medical concerns and stabilization within the community to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
Integrating the mentally ill back into the community as functioning adults and improving the quality of life of those diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse problems is extremely important to Elnora. She also assists with the stabilization of symptoms to reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide, criminal behavior and arrests, substance abuse and homelessness.
To be a good counselor, Elnora strives to be compassionate. She is a listening ear with lots of patience and hope for healing those she encounters and services. Along with the professionals in the mental health field, Elnora is always alert, gaining trust and setting boundaries and limits with her patients. Safety is one of the main issues, especially in crisis and dangerous situations.
Being on call twenty-four hours a day leaves very little free time. But Elnora enjoys studying the Bible and leads a weekly Christian Women’s Bible study. Her favorite hobby is surfing on the North Shore of Oahu and she loves spending time with her family and friends.