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About Me

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I grew up in Osaka, Japan with a "traditional" Japanese family in the sense that my ancestors lived in Japan for many many generations, and patriarchy and collective way of living were very much present. I am keen to cultural nuances and complexities. Working with me, you'll find someone who is sensitive navigating cultural expectations, values & identities as well as honoring deep connection & richness in culture and family of origin.  For more information on how I work, please visit here.

Since I was little, arts gave me ways to express myself. I started to study theater as a teenager.

In my early 20s, I moved to the United States to continue studying theater and completed my B.A in Drama at University of Washington where I began to learn more about movement and body. I came to realize the psychotherapeutic potential of drama in my own life and became highly intrigued by the connection between embodiment, psychology, and theater. I also truly enjoyed authentic connection with people, and it led me to the California Institute of Integral Studies, where I graduated with a Masters in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy. 

While I was in graduate school, I began to learn about somatic psychotherapy and experienced power of slowing down and attuning to my body. I receive ongoing psychotherapy, training & consultation to support my clients best way possible, and I have deep curiosity and interest in learning and growing as a therapist with holistic perspective; our body, mind, emotions, spirit, and environment.  

I continue to learn/unlearn the conditioning of my upbringing & structural/systemic inequality, which has and continues to cause harm. I strive for and imagine greater equity and social/economical/racial/environmental justice in our communities, in my practice, in the world, and for our future. 

If any of these resonates with you, I welcome you connecting with me from here and love to learn how I might support you.

Professional Background & Trainings​

  • California Institute of Integral Studies, MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy 

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #116772 by Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), Califiornia 

  • A Member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

  • A Member of the East Bay CAMFT chapter

  • Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), Somatic Experiencing International, 2019 - 2022

  • Liberation Academy on decolonizing psychotherapy, Genesis Healing Institute 2020-2021 

  • Liberation Spring, Anjali Lynn Nath Upadhyay, MA, 2019 - 2020

  • Reiki level 1, Azusa Imanishi, 2019

  • Restorative Justice Introduction Training, Dr. K. Noël Amherd,  2019

  • Hakomi Professional Skills Training, Hakomi Institute of California 2018 - 2019 

  • Developmental Transformation - Drama Therapy 2016 - 2018

  • Shakespeare for Social Justice instructor Training, Suraya Keating, MFT, 2016

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