*Dr. Savage is not currently accepting new patients. ***
Hello. I’m Dr. Charlotte Savage. I am a licensed clinical psychologist on the Windward side of O’ahu, located in Kailua, Hawaii (near Kaneohe, MCBH, He’eia and Waimanalo). I love my job. I work with people to find out how to make their lives more satisfying.
Are you looking to improve the quality of your life, mood, energy, relationships, or job?
I work with a range of problems, from life dissatisfaction to relationship problems, friendship and dating concerns, problems with work (co-workers, stress or leadership skills), career dissatisfaction, or problems with family relationships…and more.
Often we want changes in our life, but either do not know what or how to get there…or we know how, but have a hard time making them happen. That is where I come in. Knowing you need a change and making the change are two different ball games.
I specialize in complex trauma, attachment problems, depression, anxiety, PTSD, alcohol or drug problems, life transitions, issues with racial identity, bi-racial or multi-racial identity, cross-cultural relationships (whether that is in your own home, in your community, family, or at work), coping with racism, religious abuse, and adjusting to life in Hawaii.
Helping working professionals is a passion of mine. I also am passionate about working with artists and musicians. The world needs your gifts, and there are a lot of toxic or problematic myths out that one must suffer to be an artist, or suffer to be creative. I believe creativity is inherent and inside you, and it can be fostered or dampened, but your mood and functioning do not determine your creativity. Often suffering, mental health, or substance use can impede your creative success. AND finding sober or healthy support systems in the creative or musical industries can be a challenge at times. In particular, the music industry which can really promote partying, unhealthy uses of substances, or overworking your body in ways that aren’t ideal for your health, mental health, relationships, finances and ultimately your success and how you feel about yourself.
I also enjoy supporting those in stressful careers or the helping professions. I believe every caretaker needs a caretaker. So, if you are in a leadership position or a nurse, doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, home health worker, pastor, daycare worker, teacher, public servant, serviceman or woman, then I would love to help you keep fueled and prevent or address burnout. Managing people and competing demands can take a toll, my role is to make sure you are supported, and looking at how you are functioning, as well as how factors in your life may impact your decision making process or what triggers you. I believe the more we know ourselves, the more we are in control of our lives, and. the more we are functioning from a place of healed self awareness rather than unaware reactiveness.
I also know that some people have gotten dealt a really difficult hand in life and need extra support to either get through tough times or cope with the unfairness or heavy load they are facing. I really enjoy providing support and understanding for those who are questioning or overwhelmed with life.
Additionally, when kids, teens or adults were in foster care or experienced adoption or unable to be raised by their parents, or moved frequently, this can have a complicated impact on development and I enjoy being able to support people who are experiencing the impact from these experiences.
One of the important areas I work in are exploring the ways cultural values, and differences in cultural values affect one’s development, identity, and functioning.
I am an anti-racist, inclusive and affirming, sex positive, and trauma informed therapist. (Anti-racism does not mean I’m going to jump out and attack someone for a racist comment, this simply means not only do I understand race based trauma and stress, and the impact of systemic oppression, but I work actively to address how race problems have and still play out in causing damage in many invisible and unintentional ways that old racist influences are still playing out today.) Inclusive and affirming means I am affirming and accepting of all people, regardless of race, ability, gender identity, age, ability or sexual orientation. Sex positive simply means I believe part of healthy human functioning is a healthy sex life, and addressing the sometimes toxic or unhealthy messages that have been taught that may now play out in your sex life. Trauma informed simply means I am aware of the many types of trauma that exist and seek to evaluate and address their influence in your life to gain understanding and healing from the long term fallout of trauma.
I am from Texas, but raised and lived all over the world, so I have a deep understanding of how deeply varied social and cultural values are around the world. Our cultural values and influences often function underneath the surface, and influence what we believe, how we communicate, how we interact, how we interpret other people’s behaviors, and how we view others. Our cultural differences vary widely, within a country, within a community, within religious groups, and within families. Understanding how that has affected you in the past or currently can be really important. I work within the values YOU hold and want, and do not impose my values, as it is YOUR life and not mine.
In addition to private practice, I have worked at community clinics, ER’s, Hospitals, and Outpatient Clinics. Most recently I worked at Waimanalo Health Center where I practiced as a generalist psychologist. I also worked at the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic in the substance abuse treatment program working with Veterans who have alcohol or drug problems, and co-occurring issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. I also periodically teach courses to therapists-in-training at St. Edwards University and Azusa Pacific University.
I have worked in variety of inpatient and outpatient settings with a wide range of issues. However, my focus is getting to the root of issues to create lasting change. I believe collaboration is the key. You know a lot about you. I know a lot about change. Together we can address the concerns that bring you to therapy.
If you’ve never been in therapy, it can be a little (or a lot) intimidating at first. The hardest part is scheduling that first session. Therapy really does provide a place to make changes in your life, trust me, I’ve seen it time and time again. Often, we know the changes we want to make but have trouble making them a reality. Therapy is an avenue to really make those changes happen.
TREATMENT APPROACH:
For those interested in understanding my treatment approach, the foundation of my treatment approach is an attachment-based contemporary relational psychodynamic/psychoanalytic perspective. (That’s a mouthful). In non-technical terms, this means I look at how significant early relationships form your view of yourself, others, emotions, connection, and how you are able to trust in and rely on others. My attachment framework involves looking at and improving emotional and relational functioning, because this is often at the root of much our mental health problems. I also use some technique based therapies within this framework, depending on what it is you need or what we are trying to do in our work together.
My trauma and PTSD framework integrates with this to consider the many factors that impact how we live and survive in the world and impacted by events in the world. While I use many trauma specific interventions, I also practice trauma-informed care, which is a particular framework and outlook that regularly keeps in mind how trauma impacts functioning.
(For more info: http://alamedacountytraumainformedcare.org/trauma-informed-care/trauma-informed-care-vs-trauma-specific-treatment-2/)
Attachment is an important focus in my practice as well, because healthy attachments means healthy emotional functioning, a healthy sense of self, confidence, healthy relational functioning, and resiliency. Attachment is based in neuroscience and relationships. What we know about the brain, emotions, and relationships, is that early relationships really set the tone for how we respond to emotions and human connection and even traumatic events in adulthood. Problematic attachments, disruptions in attachment, abuse and neglect, as well as moving, death and loss, or changes in caregivers can impact how children and even adults function and cope with life.
When you have had healthy enough relationships growing up, then you learn emotions are manageable, others are reliable and safe, and you learn that relationships can be safe and satisfying. You are not threatened by closeness or time apart in relationships, and can enjoy both time with others and time away. You learn emotions are not bad or threatening, but a healthy part of human existence, understanding the role and importance of emotions. You know how to rely on others when needed and you can also be independent.
When relationships have not been consistent, safe or reliable, you can respond in several different ways. You may have learned to become completely independent, not trust in others, not rely on others, push others away, feel disconnected from your emotions, judge others emotionality, and feel threatened by emotions or closeness with others. Others respond differently. You may rely on others constantly, cling very closely to others and feel threatened by any distance in the relationship. Emotions may feel intense and intolerable.
(Additionally, life events can also impact your attachment: such frequent moves, loss of a caregiver, changes in caregiver, a parent who is emotionally unpredictable or addicted to drugs or alcohol, aggressive parent/s, a chaotic home life, abuse, chronic health issues in the family, death of a family member, major mental health issues in a caregiver, a parent with a personality disorder, etc.)
Prior experiences also set the tone for your view of self and others and become automatic and ingrained. The good news is, what we also know is that these patterns can change. The therapy relationship can literally change the brain, change how you view yourself, your view and experience of emotions, and how you feel about emotional connection in relationships.*
I also use a range of other treatment approaches within this framework including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gestalt Therapy, Brief Psychodynamic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Harm Reduction Model (HRT), Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT-C), Pragmatic/Experiential Therapy for Couples, Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Family Based Treatment (FBT – also called the Maudsley Method), Behavior Modification, Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), process oriented group therapy, and Psychodrama.
I work from a holistic perspective and believe the body, emotions and mind are not as disconnected as our Western society tends to make it. Thus, I look not only at your emotional and relational functioning but also consider the physical factors that may be impacting your functioning and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. I also value the spiritual, religious and existential components of life, so if this is an area important to you or an area you are struggling in, this is an important part of life we can also address in therapy.
*Schore, Alan (2003). Affect Regulation and the Repair of the Self New York: W.W. Norton and Co,http://www.amazon.com/Affect-Dysregulation-Disorders-Allan-Schore/dp/0393704068
*Siegel, D.J. (1999). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are. New York: Guilford Press. http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Mind-Second-Edition-Relationships/dp/146250390X
MY CV/RESUME:
EDUCATION
Psy.D. 2011 Doctorate of Clinical Psychology
Rosemead School of Psychology (APA Accredited) at Biola University, La Mirada, CA
M.A. 2007 Master’s of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Rosemead School of Psychology (APA Accredited) at Biola University, La Mirada, CA
M.S.W. 2000 Master’s of Social Work
University of Houston (CSWE Accredited), Houston, TX
B.B.S. 1996 Bachelor’s of Behavioral Science in Social Work
Hardin-Simmons University, (CSWE Accredited) Abilene, TX
EMPLOYMENT
Psychologist, July 2014 – Present
PRIVATE PRACTICE, Austin, TX & Kailua, HI
Specialties – Complex PTSD; attachment issues; co-occurring substance use and mental health issues; depression; anxiety; improving relational and emotional functioning
- Individual and group therapy with older children, adolescents and adults; consultation; supervision; and public speaking for workshops, training, and professional development
Psychologist, January 2019 – July 2019
WAIMANALO HEALTH CENTER, Waimanalo, HI
Community Clinic – Behavioral Health
- Individual therapy with adults with a full range of concerns, such as depression, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, and alcohol or drug problems.
Psychologist, April 2013 – January 2019
CENTRAL TEXAS VETERAN’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, Austin, TX
Mental Health Clinic – Substance Abuse Treatment Program
- Individual and group therapy with adults with substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and complex PTSD
Adjunct Professor, May 2013 – 2016
ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY, Austin, TX
Master’s of Arts in Counseling Program
- Courses: Group Counseling
- Counseling Diverse Populations
Clinical Therapist, February 2012 – April 2013
THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO – DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, San Bernardino, CA
Centralized Children’s Intensive Case Management Program
- Assess and coordinate treatment of clinical needs of children (and parents when needed) and young adults (ages 5-24) with complex and severe mental health diagnoses
Adjunct Professor, Spring 2012 – 2013
AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY – DEPARTMENT OF GRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY
- Course: Psychotherapy and Cultural Diversity
Psychology Pre-doctoral Intern, (APA Accredited Internship) July 2010 – June 2011
THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO – DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, San Bernardino, CA
Rotations: Central Juvenile Hall, Upland Community Counseling Center
- Provided full range of clinical services individuals (ages 8-65) with severe mental illness, behavioral problems, and co-occurring substance use issues
Social Worker, Emergency Department January 2009 – June 2010
West Los Angeles Veteran’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
- Assessment and intervention with Veterans experiencing substance abuse issues in the ER
Staff Therapist, Biola Counseling Center August 2007-June 2010
BIOLA UNIVERSITY, La Mirada, CA
- Individual, group, & couples to university staff, students, and the surrounding community
Teaching Assistant, Fall 2006 to Spring 2010
BIOLA UNIVERSITY – ROSEMEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
- Courses
- Introduction to Psychopathology – Lab Instructor – Fall 2006 to Spring 2010
- Group Psychotherapy – Lab Supervisor – Spring 2008 to Spring 2010
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy I & II –– Lab Supervisor – Academic year 2006
- Introduction to Psychology – Fall 2006 to Spring 2010
Social Worker, Behavioral Medicine Center November 2005 – June 2007
LA PALMA INTERCOMMUNITY HOSPITAL, La Palma, CA
- Conducted admission and discharge assessments, mental status exams, risk assessment, psycho-educational groups, coordinated care and services with multi-disciplinary colleagues, and discharge planning and coordination in adult inpatient psychiatric unit
Social Worker, Psychiatric Emergency Response Team May 2002 – August 2005
MEMORIAL HERMANN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM – Behavioral Health Services, Houston, TX
- Crisis counseling, assessment, and discharge planning with patients experiencing severe psychiatric or substance use crises in hospital emergency rooms and medical floors
Social Worker, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston Medical Center – Psychiatric Unit & Bayshore Medical Center, July 2002-July 2004
SOCIAL WORK PRN, INC., Houston, TX
- Individual and group interventions, assessment, case management, and discharge planning on medical floors and in adult inpatient psychiatric units
Therapist, On Track Program May 2001 – May 2002
BROWN SCHOOLS, INC., Mason, TX
- Individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and substance use problems in a experiential therapeutic residential wilderness setting
Case Manager/CPS Specialist II, Family-Based Safety Services June 2000 – May 2001
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, TX DEPT OF PROTECTIVE AND REGULATORY SERVICES, Houston, TX
- Provided oversight of families with a history of abuse and neglect to assess needs and coordinate their services
Graduate Social Work Intern, Emergency Center August 1999-May 2000
TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Houston, TX
- Assessment and crisis counseling with children, adolescents, and families experiencing physical abuse/assault, or sexual abuse/assault, neglect, sudden death or sudden critical illness of their infant, child, or adolescent
PRESENTATIONS
Savage, C. (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). Clinical Consultation. Presented to Central Texas VA psychology interns. Temple VA Hospital.
Savage, C. (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). Group Psychotherapy in the VA. Presented to Central Texas VA psychology interns. Temple VA Hospital.
Savage, C. (2014, May). Working with Patients With Psychosis. Presented to Central Texas VA psychology practicum students. Austin VA Outpatient Clinic.
Savage, C. (2013, Feb). Attachment in Foster Youth; Managing Difficult Behaviors in Group Homes. Workshop for group home direct care staff. County of San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health).
Savage, C. (2012, April). Crisis Prevention and De-Escalation. Presented to contract housing directors. County of San Bernardino Department of Mental Health – Supervised Treatment After Release Program (STAR).
Savage, C. & Kruse, J. (2012, April). Mindfulness and Attachment-Based Interventions for Traumatized Foster Youth For Therapists. Presented to clinicians of the Juvenile Court Based Health Services and Centralized Children’s Intensive Case Management units – County of San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health.
Savage, C. (2012, March). Communication Across Cultures. Presented to contract Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) clinicians and behavioral specialists – County of San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health.
Savage, C. (2012, March). An Experiential Introduction to Psychodrama. Presented to Pre-doctoral Psychology Interns – County of San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health.
Savage, C. (2011, February). Crisis Prevention and De-Escalation for Direct Care Staff. County of San Bernardino Department of Mental Health – Supervised Treatment After Release Program (STAR) and Conditional Release Program (CONREP).
Savage, C. (2011, May). An Experiential Introduction to Psychodrama. Presented to Pre-doctoral Psychology Interns – County of San Bernardino Department of Behavioral Health.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Capital Area Psychological Association
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- APA Division 12, Society of Clinical Psychology
- Society for the Exploration of Psychoanalytic Therapies and Theology (SEPTT)
- APA Division 56, Trauma Psychology
CLINICAL INTERESTS
Attachment & trauma
Complex trauma & PTSD
Relational and attachment factors as mechanisms of change in empirical studies on psychotherapy
The mind/body interaction and biopsychosocial and holistic treatment approaches
Creating trauma-sensitive organizations