Bio I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Hawaii, USA. I also have a Ph.D. in East-West Psychology. I have worked as a psychotherapist while living in three countries: USA, Japan, and Thailand. My clients are teenagers and adults, both individuals and couples, who have a wide variety of issues, including cultural issues, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship issues, substance issues, direction and meaning in life, life changes, sexuality, and personal growth. I work holistically with body, mind and spirit, giving attention to the cross-cultural context. My training is both in Western modalities (Gestalt, somatic, existential, cognitive behavioral, client-centered, Motivational Interviewing) and in Asian modalities (Zen Buddhism, mindfulness, Tai Chi, Japanese therapies Morita and Naikan). I have taught cross-cultural psychology in Japan (Kansai Gaidai University) and counseling psychology in Thailand (Assumption University, Graduate School of Counseling Psychology). My research has focused on integrating Asian traditions with Western psychotherapy.
Clients I Work With Adults, Adolescents, Women, Men, Gay/Lesbian, Returnees, Students
Services I Offer Individual Psychotherapy, Individual Counseling, Family Therapy, Couple Therapy, Phone Counseling, Internet Counseling, Seminars/Workshops, Clinical Supervision
Service Fee Individuals: Regular session ¥7,500 (including sales tax), First session ¥10,500 (including sales tax); Couples: Regular session ¥10,000 (including sales tax); First sessions ¥13,000 (including sales tax)
Degree/Education Master of Counseling (M.A.) – Counseling Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, 1993; Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – East-West Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2003
Licensure & Registration California (USA) Marriage & Family Therapist license # MFC 35774 (1999) – http://www.bbs.ca.gov
Hawaii (USA) Marriage & Family Therapist license # MFT 75 (Currently Inactive)(www.ehawaiigov.org/serv/pvl)
International Affiliate, American Psychology Association (https://apa.org)
Notes Together with my clients we try to get to the heart of their concern and find ways, both practical and meaning-oriented, for the client to enliven their process of living. My way of counseling is based on confidentiality, being in relationship with the client, and self-reflection. A person needs to be able to look at themselves and how they are participating behaviorally and psychologically in the concerns and difficulties that they have. Important factors considered include having a safe place for in-depth exploration, present situation, past relevant experience and learned behavior, cultural influences, ways of resolving difficulties, and what possibilities a person has.
IMHPJ member since 1999 – President 2003-2006; Board of Directors member 2000-2003, 2010-2012, 2013-2015.
Permanent resident of Japan; Moved to Japan in 1999.