Kapolei Counseling Center first opened its doors in April 2014, founded by Emilee Omoto, who started as the sole therapist in private practice. Back then, Kapolei had fewer than 10 therapists in the area, and the practice quickly grew to meet the high demand for mental health services. On the Leeward side of O’ahu, there has always been a significant need for more therapists. By 2019, Emilee was already at full capacity, and the pandemic further increased the demand for therapy. With the introduction of telehealth and insurance coverage for these services, the need for more therapists became even more apparent. In 2022, Emilee felt called to train the next generation of therapists. She has invested her time to mentor both new and seasoned therapists, creating a collaborative and holistic team. After 9 years of solo practice, she decided to expand Kapolei Counseling Center to welcome new patients and provide much-needed mental health services on the Leeward side of O’ahu with a team of trained therapists.