By working together, we can find the answers
Meet our founder
Dr. Pedro Luis Benach
Dr. Benach is a first generation Cuban-American who aspires to help others in their life journeys. He has received advanced specialized training in the evaluation and treatment of neurodevelopmental, neuropsychological, neurocognitive, and psychological disorders. He took an untraditional route and attended community college for two years and then transferred to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa where he completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology. Thereafter, he obtained his Master degree in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University of Hawai‘i and completed his Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Dr. Benach holds a position as an Associate Professor of Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Therapies, Humanistic and Existential Therapies, and Introduction to Psychological Theories at Fielding Graduate University School of Psychology, which is a regionally APA accredited PhD program in Clinical Psychology. He also serves as the Chair of the Hawai’i Psychological Association’s (HPA) Child and Adolescent Committee (CHAT).
With over a decade of studies in the field of psychology, Dr. Benach welcomes individuals and families who seek comprehensive answers and individualized recommendations that accurately address their important questions and needs.
When Dr. Benach isn’t dedicating his time to his clients or students, he is commonly found enjoying the ocean, exploring various surf breaks, spending time with family and friends, discovering new food recipes, attending community events, and attempting to read books for leisure.
Dr. Benach currently holds active licenses to practice psychology in the states of Hawai’i and Colorado.
Hawaii License Number: PSY-2075
Colorado License Number: PSY.0006047
ASSESSMENT, THERAPY, COACHING, CONSULTATION
Meet our team
Katherin Acosta Mena Benach
Her role includes developing digital content that aligns with the clinic’s mission while ensuring that clinicians, trainees, and staff have the necessary systems in place to work effectively and efficiently. Her management style emphasizes collaboration, workflow optimization, and the integration of creative solutions to enhance client engagement.
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Katherin brings a culturally informed approach to her work, emphasizing inclusivity and connection with the diverse Hawaiian community. Recently accepted into the HELP program at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, she is embarking on her first year as a college student, pursuing a degree in psychology. Her long-term goal is to provide direct therapy services, contributing to better mental health access and support for those in Hawaii.
Practice Manager
Social Media, Creative Counselor, Administration, Scheduling, Billing
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Co-Clinical Training Director
Dr. Angeline Dickson
Dr. Angeline Dickson, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in mental health. Dr. Dickson is dedicated to creating a supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment where healing and self-awareness can thrive. Her positive, strength-based approach fosters a collaborative process, helping clients overcome a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, mood disorders, and relationship issues. Through evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and family counseling, she empowers individuals to achieve their personal goals and rediscover their inner strength. Dr. Dickson’s commitment extends to training the next generation of mental health professionals, offering supervision and guidance to master’s and doctoral students.
Hawaii License Number PSY-2064
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Alistair Taylor
Dr. Alistair Taylor is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Hawaii. He graduated from an APA-accredited program at Chaminade University in 2021 and has been practicing clinical psychology since then. Dr. Taylor gained experience with psychological assessments during a year-long rotation at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience conducting testing on patients with traumatic brain injury, dementia, and neurodevelopmental disorders. He gained additional assessment experience on his year-long doctoral internship at Potomac Behavioral Solutions in Virginia. His interests include developing an understanding of the intersections of neurobiological and environmental (family, cultural, and socioeconomic factors for example) factors that shape the human brain and behavior. While analytical, his role as a clinical psychologist is rooted in empathy for the client and their life challenges. Dr. Taylor has a lifelong history as an athlete and health enthusiast, and also offers personal growth coaching as well as teaching on health topics via webinars linked from his site.
If you would like to understand more about growth coaching, please visit the following page: www.drtaylorevolutioncoaching.com
Hawaii License Number PSY-2064
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Rose Evelyn-Friedheim
Dr. Rose Evelyn Friedheim is a licensed clinical psychologist and disability advocate. Born and raised in Oahu, Hawai’i, she recently returned home after completing the PsyD program at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. She currently serves as a board member of the Brain Injury Association of Hawai’i. Additionally, she is a co-chair of the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association’s Child and Adolescent Committee (CHAT), where she serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging (DEI-AB), and Rural Health committees. She has provided mental health services to diverse communities, which includes an advocacy fellowship with the Hawaiʻi Maternal and Child Health: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MCH LEND) in 2024, as well as her clinical post-doctoral training at Hāmākua Kohala Health Center from 2022 to 2023, where she treated patients from keiki to kūpuna across Hawaiʻi Island both in person and virtually.
Dr. Rose Evelyn is training with UC San Francisco and the Association for Infant Mental Health Hawai’i in their Child-Parent Psychotherapy program, where she provides dyadic, trauma-informed therapy for infants, young children, and their caregivers. She has completed six years of training, including her doctoral internship at Through the Looking Glass in Berkeley, CA, where she offered empowering, family systems-based clinical interventions centered on relational attachment from a non-pathologizing, strengths-based perspective to families with children or caregivers who have disabilities. Throughout her career, she has presented her research on infant mental health, trauma-informed care, disability justice, accessibility, and ecopsychology at both local and national conferences.
Dr. Rose Evelyn’s professional mission is to collectively enhance the quality of mental health services by implementing systematic changes that eliminate societal barriers to accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities. She enjoys collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to help her patients leverage their strengths and advocate for essential developmental, academic, and mental health resources to thrive. This motivates her role as an assessor and therapist at Assess Hawai’i.
When Dr. Rose Evelyn isn’t dedicating her time to her clients, she enjoys being in nature with her service dog, “Love,” and cherishes meaningful relationships with her family, friends, and community.
Dr. Rose Evelyn Friedheim is a licensed clinical psychologist in Hawaii (Psy-2192) and California (Psy-35641). She is also a National Register Health Service Psychologist.
Intervention Practicum Student
Nancy Eastwood
Nancy is a PhD practicum student at Fielding Graduate University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in Humanities. While working toward her master’s degree in Psychology at Harvard, Nancy switched her studies to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology with a focus in Neuropsychology. As a practicum student, Nancy has comprehensive training in cognitive assessments and psychological disorders to help piece together the complexity of cognitive capabilities and individual experiences. Nancy is an adjunct professor of psychology at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, where she is passionate about helping students along their academic journeys. Nancy also finds solace in the beauty of the outdoors. Daily walks, quality time spent with her family, hiking, and ocean swimming rejuvenate her. For Nancy, a connection to the Earth provides tranquility, inspiration, and healing. She recently completed her diagnostic practicum year at Assess Hawaii and has stayed on for her intervention practicum training.
Previous Diagnostic Student-Volunteer
Taylor-Ann Takatani
Taylor is a student in the PsyD Clinical Psychology program at the Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu. She was born and raised in Maui, Hawai’i and earned her Bachelor degree in Psychology from Chapman University. Taylor is excited to return home and further her education in Hawai’i and work with her local community. In her free time, Taylor enjoys the ocean, trying new cuisines, and spending quality with her family and friends
