About Me

BACKGROUND

Pronouns: she/her/hers

My interest in pursuing multicultural psychology was influenced by my experience of culture shock when I left my home in Hawai‘i to pursue higher education in the PNW. As a Japanese American cis woman, I developed acute awareness of my social identities, and how difficult it was to navigate the different social norms and expectations I was weaving between. I also realized the lack of representation of POC and indigenous voices in the field of psychology, and the impacts that mental health stigma had on my home community.

With these interests in mind, I decided to pursue my graduate studies in Counseling Psychology at Washington State University, where I received diversity-focused training in university counseling centers. My graduate research focused on the intersections of disability and ethnicity—specifically, exploring culture-specific ways of coping with physical and mental health disabilities within the family.

The culmination of my personal experiences and professional training led me to open my current private practice, with the continued mission of serving underrepresented, marginalized communities who may struggle to find safe places in mental health care to be seen and heard.

CREDENTIALS

Licensed Psychologist in Washington State (PY60735508)
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EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology

Washington State University (APA Accredited), 2016

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Washington State University, 2012

Bachelors of Arts in Psychology

University of Portland, 2009

EXPERIENCE

Licensed Psychologist

Private Practice (since 2017)

Staff Therapist

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Counseling and Student Development Center (2016-2017)

Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology (APA Accredited)

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Counseling and Student Development Center (2015-2016)

I have experience working with the following populations:

  • Young adults in life transitions, early professionals

  • Ethnically/racially diverse clients, with particular emphasis in the Asian American and Pacific Islander population

  • Sexually and gender diverse clients (LGBTQ+)

Areas of Specialty:

  • Anxiety Disorders (Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic, Phobias)

  • Depression and other Mood Disorders

  • Relationship Distress/Conflict/Grief

  • Family-of-Origin Issues

  • Stress Management, Motivation

  • Adjustment, Phase-of-Life Transitions

  • Self-Esteem, Identity Exploration/Development

  • Concerns Related to Identity Navigation and Oppression