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About ME

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Drama Therapist in California. I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Spiritual and Depth Psychology specialization, from Antioch University Los Angeles and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater from University of California, Los Angeles. I am originally from Japan and fluent in Japanese.

I have experience of working with a wide range of clients, between the ages of 5 and 101 years old, facing various challenges in life. I feel particularly passionate about supporting and empowering survivors of childhood abuse, who might have felt silenced for many years.

My approach to psychotherapy is collaborative and integrative. I will provide a safe space for you to express your feelings and to explore changes you want to create in your life. I might use psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, gestalt, mindfulness-based, and other therapeutic approaches depending on your unique individual needs. I might also invite you to engage in drama and other expressive arts-based experiential activities to help you explore, express, and process your feelings. Sometimes words are just not enough to access and express our internal world—and I strongly believe in the transformative and healing power of symbolic, imaginative, and embodied expressions.

In addition to individual, couple, and family psychotherapy, I have experience of offering drama therapy groups at facilities in Los Angeles and Orange County. People I have worked with in a group setting include people struggling with mental illness and/or homelessness, adults with developmental disabilities, people with dual diagnosis, caregivers, and senior citizens.

Please see below for my qualifications and relevant experiences. I've also included some links on this page that would provide brief explanations of drama therapy and some Japanese concepts you might find interesting.

Qualifications

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #118402

California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Registered Drama Therapist #668

North American Drama Therapy Association

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MA in Clinical Psychology

Spiritual and Depth Psychology Specialization

Antioch University Los Angeles

BA in Theater

School of Theater, Film, and Television

University of California, Los Angeles

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Certificate — Drama Therapy

Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles

Certificate — Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Beat the Odds® Facilitator

Social and emotional skill building delivered in a framework of drumming

UCLArts & Healing

Relevant Experience

The Antioch University Counseling Center

- Therapist at the Main Clinic (2016-),

the Culver City Senior Center (2016-),

and the School-based Program (2015-2016)

Life Adjustment Team

- Group Facilitator, Drama Therapy (2017-2022)

Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles

"The Use of Drama Therapy in Treatment of Children & Adolescents"

- Instructor (2021)

Aspire Creative Arts Program

- Drama Instructor/Drama Therapist (2017-2021)

Antioch University Los Angeles

"Japanese Approaches to Mindfulness and Mental Health"

- Adjunct Professor (2019-2020)

The SoCal Chapter of the North American Drama Therapy Association

- Vice president (2016-2019)

Creative Therapies Center/Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles

- Drama Therapist/Teaching Artist (2015-2017)

The Creative Minds Project, UCLA

- Facilitator, therapeutic expressive arts groups (2012-2015)

Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles Summer Abroad Program

- Coordinator/Assistant for Lucca, Italy (2014)

Painted Brain Mental Health Arts Workshop

- Presenter, photo/drama therapy workshop (2012)

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