ADULT PSYCHIATRY
DR. JEREMY ROBERTS
Dr. Jeremy Roberts is a Board Certified psychiatrist who received his medical degree at Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. His passion for science, mathematics, and computers extends naturally into his career, aiding in his goal of bringing the best care to his patients. He excels in understanding research studies and applying them to real world care. By keeping his knowledge base current, Dr. Roberts can supply patients with the fullest array of medical options to improve their lives.
*Special note: We want to assure our patients that Dr. Roberts that practices here has never had any license suspensions or ethical issues with his practice. It is easily researched that there was another Dr. Jeremy Roberts in Canada whose license was suspended. If you review the dates of the incident, Dr. Jeremy Roberts of Kailua was in medical school in Wisconsin at that time, and had never practiced medicine when the other doctor was suspended.
DR. FREDERICK DUENNEBIER
Dr. Frederick Duennebier is a Board Certified, Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist who earned his M.D. at the University of Hawai’i, John A. Burns School of Medicine. He continued at this institution to complete his general psychiatry residency and subsequently a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship. Having been raised in Hawai’i, he is intimately connected to the people and culture of our islands. Dr. Duennebier works with children, adolescents, adults, and their families to help them identify and overcome challenges in their lives. His approach focuses on therapy and medication when indicated, while respecting the values of the patient and helping them strive towards their goal.
DR. DEAN FRASER
Dr. Dean Fraser is a Board Certified psychiatrist who earned his medical degree and completed his psychiatric residency training at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Fraser held the office of Chief Resident, participated in cutting-edge research on new treatments for depression, and was the recipient of the Po’okela Outstanding Resident Award for his leadership, quality patient care, and community service. He continues to work with the University of Hawaii Department of Psychiatry as an Assistant Clinical Professor. Honolulu-born, Dr. Fraser returned to Hawaii for his medical training as he is committed to providing the finest quality mental health care for our island ‘ohana.
DR. DANIEL CHO
Dr. Daniel Cho is a Board Certified Psychiatrist who received his medical degree and completed his general psychiatry residency at the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine. He was born and raised on Oahu, and strives to improve the physical and mental well-being of local people. His approach focuses on treating each patient as an individual and finding the best treatment regimen for their specific needs.
DR. RENEE R. FOSTER, FNP, PMHNP, DNP
Dr. Foster is a Board Certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with more than twenty years of experience in the field of mental health. Dr. Foster earned her Family Nurse Practitioner at Loyola University of New Orleans and both her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of South Alabama, Mobile. Dr. Foster moved to Hawaii from New Orleans, Louisiana in 2013. During her years here in Hawaii, Dr. Foster has worked with children, adolescents, and adults to achieve their mental health goals, while respecting the culture and values of each and every patient. Dr. Foster’s goal is to provide quality mental health care that is both individualized and patient centered.
ADAM ROLLER, MSN, ANP, PMHNP
Adam Roller is a Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He has worked in the field of mental health for more than 15 years, with experience primarily with adults and geriatrics. As a Nurse Practitioner, Adam has provided medication management for a diverse variety of patients, utilizing Evidence-Based Practice: the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. He incorporates this approach to ensure patient access to individualized quality care.
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
DR. FREDERICK DUENNEBIER
Dr. Frederick Duennebier is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist who earned his M.D. at the University of Hawai’i, John A. Burns School of Medicine. He continued at this institution to complete his general psychiatry residency and subsequently a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship. Having been raised in Hawai’i, he is intimately connected to the people and culture of our islands. Dr. Duennebier works with children, adolescents, adults, and their families to help them identify and overcome challenges in their lives. His approach focuses on therapy and medication when indicated, while respecting the values of the patient and helping them strive towards their goals.
DR. RENEE R. FOSTER, FNP-BC,PMHNP-BC,DNP
Dr. Foster is a Board Certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with more than twenty years of experience in the field of mental health. Dr. Foster earned her Family Nurse Practitioner at Loyola University of New Orleans and both her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of South Alabama, Mobile. Dr. Foster moved to Hawaii from New Orleans, Louisiana in 2013. During her years here in Hawaii, Dr. Foster has worked with children, adolescents, and adults to achieve their mental health goals, while respecting the culture and values of each and every patient. Dr. Foster’s goal is to provide quality mental health care that is both individualized and patient centered.
THERAPISTS
DR. BRACKEN GOTT, PSYD
Dr. Gott is a Board-Eligible Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He received his Doctorate degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology/Argosy University Chicago. He then completed an APA accredited fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth while serving on active duty in the United States Navy. The military gave Dr. Gott an unparalleled opportunity to prove himself in crisis situations, providing counseling in hospital, outpatient and field environments. Over his years of service, he has developed extensive experience in the use of short and long term evidence-based therapies and is adept in individual, couple, group, and family modalities. He has worked in multiple aspects of the therapeutic realm including cognitive behavioral interventions, organizational consultation, graduate/undergraduate teaching, clinical supervision, and research with expertise in group process and organizational dynamics. His broad experiences have given him a breadth of understanding and skill that is a rare and a valued addition to our clinic. He is passionate about utilizing his deep understanding of trauma to aid veterans and families of veterans with their unique challenges.
Dr. Gott treats a wide array of conditions, from depression and anxiety, to post traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
DR. SHERRI ANN K. KA’AHANUI, PSYD, CSAC
Dr. Ka’ahanui is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who earned her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, Hawai’I and completed her Clinical Internship training at the VA Black Hills Healthcare System. Her training at the VA Hospital in Fort Meade, South Dakota offered experiences in hospital and primary care with veterans, as well as elderly care veteran population. In addition, as part of the VA training, Dr. Ka’ahanui also received community-based treatment training at a rural community medical clinic in Ashland, Montana serving Native American individuals, families and elders, as well as the rural ranching and Amish populations. As a Psychologist and through the therapeutic process, Dr. Ka’ahanui strives to foster and provide a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental “space” in order to explore and effectively address current or longstanding problems or issues.
Dr. Ka’ahanui has experience with treating adults, adolescents, and couples with a variety of conditions, including trauma/PTSD, substance use, domestic violence, and depression and
anxiety disorders.
RIA KIM, LMFT
Ria has years of mental health case management experience, all while obtaining her graduate degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), as well as Counseling Psychology (Ed.D.) and licensing to practice as an Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), which has given her the opportunity to observe mental health issues and diagnoses from all sides of treatment and service – including some knowledge of hospitalization procedures and treatment. Ria has worked with the seriously mentally ill population (SMI) and their families for the last eight years; working with such disorders as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and borderline personality disorder, to name a few. During her practicum therapy training, Ria worked with school aged children at an elementary school where they focus on a mindfulness curriculum and also worked with at-risk-youth in gangs here in Hawaii.
Ria believes therapy should be an individualized process and uses an integrative therapeutic approach. She provides a non-judgmental, safe, and supportive place, where she works with clients in a collaborative effort on their journey to positive mental health.
FORREST A. K. WELLS, LMHC
Forrest Wells is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Hawaii and National Certified Counselor with the Board of National Certified Counselors. Forrest earned his Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology with a focus in community counseling from Chaminade University of Honolulu and his undergraduate in psychology at Hawaii Pacific University. Forrest has been an adjunct professor for the Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Hawaii Pacific University and a member of the Mental Health Advisory Board at Chaminade University of Honolulu since 2015. As of 2017, Forrest has 10 years of experience as a contracted therapist and consultant for special education with the Hawaii Department of Education and over 10 years of experience in individual, family, and group therapy.
Forrest is skilled in evaluating, diagnosing, and providing therapy for a wide range of mental health, cognitive, and mood disorders and conditions for a diverse array of patients. Forrest recognizes that each patient is unique and requires an approach adapted to their specific difficulties and needs to best address their individual mental health.
CLAY WIGGINS, LCSW, CSAC
Clay Wiggins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Hawaii. For over twenty years he has worked with diverse populations in multiple settings in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment.
He has been co-facilitating a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy based program since 2012. The program has been helpful for adults with mood disorders to better manage emotions, tolerate distress, improve interpersonal relationships, increase awareness and make more effective decisions.
Mr. Wiggins utilizes client centered approaches to help clients in their journey toward self -improvement. He believes that with support, appropriate tools, people can reach their greatest potential.
DR. LAUREN KWON DAWSON, PHD, ABPP-CN
Dr. Dawson is a Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology with more than 20 years of experience in the assessment and treatment of psychological and neuropsychological disorders. She obtained her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at SDSU/UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Joint Doctoral Program followed by a clinical internship at Duke University Medical Center and postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Diego School of Medicine, where she served as Chief of the Neurobehavioral Core.
Dr. Dawson has been in private practice since 1999, and she has helped countless patients overcome their struggles and cope with their challenges, which begins with a thorough evaluation and an individualized treatment plan to optimize each patient’s mental health. She believes in empowering her patients through education, support and concrete strategies tailored to each individual and situation.
DR. DANIEL LEV, PHD
After receiving his Ph.D. in 1994 from the Wright Institute Graduate School of Clinical Psychology, Dr Lev ran a private practice and worked as a part-time instructor in graduate clinical education and as director of the Family Counseling Center at Haight-Ashbury Psychological Services. He began work as a behavioral medicine/health psychologist in 1995 at Children’s Hospital – Oakland. He further developed his specialty in pain psychology at Pain and Rehabilitative Consultants Medical Group in 2000 and transferred to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in 2002 where he worked closely with other providers in two different Interdisciplinary Pain Programs (Oakland and Vallejo). Dr Lev specializes in anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship, and habit-change treatments. Since the early 1990’s, he has studied and practiced clinical hypnosis and meditation, hypnoanalgesia and is certified as a Consultant by the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis. In November, 2014, he relocated his psychology practice to O’ahu. He works as an adjunct faculty member in the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University. He also serves the Jewish community as a rabbi.
DR. OLAF GITTER, PHD
Dr. Olaf Gitter is a licensed psychologist who received his Ph.D degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii in 1976. He spent three years as an active duty psychologist is the US Army, followed by eleven years working as a clinical psychologist at Highland General Hospital in Oakland, California. In 1992, he returned to Hawaii and began working for the State of Hawaii Department of Health. He was a supervising psychologist at Hawaii State Hospital for one year and then joined the Courts and Correction Branch of the Adult Mental Health Division. In his capacity as a forensic psychologist, he advised the state courts on all islands regarding the defendents’ competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and level of dangerousness. While working for the state until his retirement in 2014, he also maintained a part-time psychotherapy practice specializing in the treatment of adults suffering from anxiety, depression, sexual and relationship difficulties. Dr. Gitter is bilingual in English and German and feels comfortable in multicultural settings as he had lived in Germany, France, and Puerto Rico prior to beginning his graduate studies at the University of Hawaii. He earned an undergraduate degree with a major in anthropology from the University of Puerto Rico and was a graduate Asian Studies student before earning his degree in psychology.
SHARON CISTERNAS, LCSW, CSAC
Sharon Cisternas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. She received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. She has over 12 years of experience at The Queens Medical Center working with a wide variety of clients dealing with various issues. Her approach to therapy increases self-awareness and coping skills to manage psychological and emotional issues. Her goal is to help each person learn the skills they need to become the best version of themselves.