EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Dr. Cecily Sakai is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, fertility concerns, identity development, and women's health and wellness. She was born and raised on Oahu and received her Doctoral and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium in 2014. Prior to completing her doctorate, she completed her Master's degree in Psychology in Education from Columbia University, Teachers College, and Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Women's Studies and minor in Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Sakai returned home to Hawaii to complete her APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship and APA-accredited National Center for PTSD postdoctoral residency in 2014 and 2015 at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Pacific Islands Healthcare System.
Dr. Sakai has worked in a variety of clinical assessment and therapy settings during her training, which has included Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Palo Alto VA and San Francisco VA Hospitals, San Jose Job Corps, and Kings County Hospital. Dr. Sakai also conducted clinical research through Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Palo Alto VA Hospital, Palo Alto University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Columbia University, Teachers College.
Since returning home to Hawaii and completing her postdoctoral VA training, Dr. Sakai has worked as a staff psychologist at The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, a program of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, in addition to working in private practice. Currently, Dr. Sakai serves clients in her private practice while also providing consultation, presentations, and group psychotherapy on mindfulness meditation and mental health and wellness within schools, hospitals, and businesses. Dr. Sakai regularly attends conferences and participates in consultation group to ensure that she is up-to-date on the latest advances in psychotherapy.
In terms of her community involvement and volunteer positions, Dr. Sakai serves as the President Elect for the Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA), a nominated board position after serving a 2-year nominated position as the Early Career Psychologist board representative. Dr. Sakai also serves on the Punahou School Advisory Council for Student Safety. Additionally, Dr. Sakai is a member of The Guild, a voluntary leadership position of Child and Family Service (CFS), a locally-based non-profit organization that aims to strengthen families and foster healthy development in children.
Outside of her role as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Sakai is also a mother and wife. She also enjoys remaining active through exercise, yoga, swimming, sports, and dance. Her personal interests include travel and experiencing new cultures, music, cooking, gardening, and spending time with loved ones.