PRESIDENT

I joined the Hawaii Counseling Association’s Board of Directors with great zeal. My tenure in mental health has spanned ten years of progressive work, from direct clinical services to administrative leadership. My credentials include being licensed in Hawaii as a mental health counselor (LMHC) and a nationally certified counselor (NCC). My other professional experience includes being at the helm of a group mental health practice, where I am an active clinician and an associate faculty with Northwestern University’s Graduate Program.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

William Chum is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Doctor of Behavioral Health committed to improving mental health equity and access via his research, advocacy, and clinical work. Dr. Chum’s background is in delivering whole-person care via behavioral health integration, with past experience working with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and various outpatient health settings. He currently works in private practice and is the founder of AANHPI Resilience Project, a local nonprofit research organization aimed to eliminate cultural barriers in mental health services. Dr. Chum joins HCA with great excitement to advocate for the counseling profession in the state of Hawaii.

Treasurer

Christopher West is a licensed mental health counselor who has been working in the mental health field since 2017. He graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and completed his internship practicum at The Queen’s Medical Center. He has since gained experience in case management and counseling at various non-profits, and is currently in private practice, specializing in addiction and parole and probation adherence.

Membership Secretary

Liz Sump, MA, LMHC, LPC, brings excitement to the board of the Hawaii Counselors Association, where she focuses on enhancing mental health and well-being across Hawaii. With a background in over 10 years of behavioral health therapy, Liz specializes in intimate partner violence, sexual assault specializing in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), holding certifications in Emotional Dysregulation, Psychodrama, and suicide prevention. Her career spans diverse environments—from outdoor settings to urban and rural communities—providing her with a deep understanding of addiction and trauma's multifaceted nature.

Liz's approach integrates DBT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, and experiential therapies, tailored to the socio-economic and cultural diversity of her clients. Residing on the Big Island, Liz is involved in organizations dedicated to social justice, she advocates for inclusive practices mental health services for everyone. Liz is dedicated to advancing counseling practices that foster resilience and empowerment in individuals and communities throughout Hawaii.

Recording Secretary

Diane Manzana is a Behavioral Health Specialist for Hawaii’s Department of Education in Central District. She specializes in children and adolescent’s mental health and provides counseling services to students who struggle with mental disparities within the school setting. Diane graduated from UH Hilo’s clinical mental health counseling program and, during her educational years, has provided services to multiple schools, taught psychoeducation to the community, and participated in research since her undergraduate years at UH Manoa. Through her experiences, Diane finds passion in helping the community that had raised her and removing the mental health stigma one step at a time. Besides her work, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and has been (attempting) to train for the Honolulu Marathon every year.

Graduate Student Representative

Asher Cramer is a dedicated graduate student and passionate advocate for culturally informed counseling practices. He currently works as a research assistant on a NIDA-funded project focused on prevention interventions for Native Hawaiian youth. Asher earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating summa cum laude from Utah State University, and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

With professional experience as a Registered Behavior Technician, Social Worker, Medical Case Manager, and Project Manager, Asher brings a diverse skill set in behavioral analysis, community outreach, and research. His indigenous roots, along with being married to a Native Hawaiian, deeply shape his commitment to integrating traditional knowledge into counseling practices. Asher’s goal is to bridge modern psychology with indigenous wisdom, fostering culturally sensitive approaches. As HCA’s Graduate Student Representative, he aims to empower students and advance inclusive, community-based counseling practices across Hawaiʻi.

Click here to learn more about our previous board members