Therapists

Mark Hovland

Mark is the Founder and Director of New Hope Counseling Center since 2012. He is a graduate of Colorado Christian University and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling. His undergraduate degree is from Western Illinois University with a BS in Finance. He specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment particularly effective for trauma related issues. He continues his board requirements for ongoing education, as well is an avid reader related to the field.

Mark's clinical experience includes an internship as a therapist in a community mental health setting at Aspen Pointe in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He also has over five years experience at Cedar Springs Psychiatric Hospital in Colorado Springs, the last two and a half years as a therapist. Mark finished his time at Cedar Springs as a lead therapist overseeing several other therapists.

Mark’s counseling experience also includes over thirteen years in pastoral counseling, nine of which were on the staff of New Hope Oahu in Honolulu, HI. While at New Hope Oahu he oversaw several Christian based 12-step and recovery ministries. Mark also developed LifeChange, a seminar designed to help people find healing in their life, which thousands have attended. Mark is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) in both Hawaii and Colorado. He has been a Clinical Fellow of AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy) and a member of the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors). Mark also served as an Adjunct Professor at Pacific Rim Christian University teaching in the area of pastoral care and counseling.

Mark moved to Oahu in 1988. He has been married for 30 years to his wife, Connie. He has one son, Nathan, and a chocolate lab named Denver. He attends C4 Church.  He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, walking, hiking, going to the beach, reading, and volunteering at his church.


Meg Wolter

Meg Paty Wolter is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with the state of Hawaii. She received her Masters degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University. Her first career was as an Occupational Therapist where she worked for three decades in Pediatrics in the NICU and Pediatric clinics with children and their families.

Meg is trained in Emotional Focused Therapy for marriages and individuals which supports the ability to effectively understand and regulate emotions within relationships. She utilizes the SYMBIS for premarital counseling. She actively uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to address trauma related issues. Through her own personal losses, she has studied grief and loss. She has served as an Adjunct Professor with Pacific Rim Christian University in the area of care and counseling.

 Meg began her career as a counselor in conjunction with a pediatric rehab center in Colorado Springs. She supported the marriages and families of those who were struggling with life after their child had been diagnosed with developmental needs. She then established her private practice in the larger community where she provided marriage, family and individual counseling. She has supported clients in depression, anxiety, anger, life transitions, parenting, intergenerational disconnection and retirement.

Life is difficult to navigate at times. Meg’s desire is to create an atmosphere of trust and emotional safety so her clients can find healing in the bruised places of their lives. The journey of therapy can be challenging and requires courage, but growth and understanding are of immeasurable value.

Meg is a Waialua girl, born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu. She was married for 32 years prior to her husband’s sudden death in 2008. She has two married children and 5 vivacious grandchildren, with one more in heaven. She enjoys the ocean, hiking, laughing, traveling, reading, journaling and deepening her walk with God.


Robert Okimura

Rob Okimura is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Hawaii. He acquired a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chaminade University in Honolulu. He is also an ordained minister with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and has a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Rob offers counseling for individuals, couples and families with a philosophy to serve every client with unconditional honor. He is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment for healing trauma-related issues. He assists people who are experiencing difficulties with relationships, parenting, life direction and transitions, detrimental behaviors, addictions, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem and shame. Rob’s clinical experience includes counseling men on parole, probation, transitioning from homelessness, and recovery from alcohol and substance dependence.

Besides providing pastoral counseling for individuals and couples as a pastor for over 25 years, Rob has imparted spiritual and emotional care for the terminally ill and their families. He has also taught marriage and parenting workshops, small groups and prayer ministry for spiritual and emotional healing.

Rob is married to his wife Michele and they have two adult children. His undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Technology from the University of Hawaii, and he has occupational experience that includes owning a landscaping business. Rob has been an avid UH sports fan for years, and also enjoys gardening and fishing.


Kent Kitagawa

Kent Kitagawa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Hawaii, with a Master of Arts degree in Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC) from Liberty University, which is located in Lynchburg, VA. In addition, Kent is a licensed minister with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and has over twenty-five years of lay and pastoral counseling, assisting couples, families and individuals to heal from grief, relationship conflicts, addictions and debilitating anxiety. Kent also is certified in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, widely recognized as a prominent treatment for traumas that cripple individuals from living productive lives and building satisfying relationships.

Kent and his wife of over 40 years share a passion to minister to couples and families; they are both certified to use the Prepare and Enrich Relationship tool as well as the Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) pre-marital assessment. They are co-founders and served as executive couple of the Aloha United Marriage Encounter community from 2001 -2021, a program designed to strengthen and enhance marriage relationships.