Master of Social Work, Hawaiʻi Pacific University
Bachelor of Social Work, Seattle University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Hawaiʻi
LaRisa Nebre is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who brings more than a decade of experience in mental health counseling, crisis support, and community-based care to her role as Student Support Coordinator at Namahana School. She also maintains a private practice on Kauaʻi, where she provides individual and group therapy for people navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. Previously, she served as a STEP Up! Substance Treatment Counselor with Hale Opio, supporting at-risk adolescents and young adults through a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that honors each person’s unique experiences and strengths.
Before entering clinical practice, LaRisa spent eight years as a Parole Officer IV with the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, with justice involved individuals, conducting risk-assessments, responding to violations and crisis situations, developing individualized case plans and connecting them to relevant external community resources. She later served as a Non-Clinical Case Manager at Kauaʻi Community College, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, supporting clinical interns and student workers, and helping students access resources and navigate barriers so they could continue moving forward in their educational journeys.
LaRisa holds a Master of Social Work from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, with a focus on mezzo- and macro-level social work, and a Bachelor of Social Work from Seattle University. She has also continued to expand her knowledge and skills through training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and EMDR.
At the heart of LaRisa’s work is a commitment to meeting people where they are and helping them feel supported, understood, and empowered. Whether she’s connecting one-on-one with a student navigating a difficult time or working alongside a family to identify additional support, she brings a calm, compassionate, and thoughtful approach shaped by years of experience across Kauaʻi’s schools, behavioral health settings, social service agencies, and community programs. She believes in the importance of building meaningful connections, recognizing each person’s strengths, and helping individuals and families find a path forward.
