About Me

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oregon, certified processworker, coach, and trainer.

I was born and raised in Japan and graduated from Sofia University in Tokyo with a B.A. in German Literature and an M.A. in Psychology. During my training, I was primarily supervised by prominent Jungian psychologists in Japan including Dr. Hayao Kawai. After graduation, I worked as a psychologist at the Juntendo Medical University in Tokyo where I provided counseling and psychological assessments to people with a variety of conditions and backgrounds.

While working at the medical university, I had a chance to visit the United States and participate in a Processwork seminar taught by Drs. Arnold and Amy Mindell. I was immediately captivated by the approach and recognized its amazing potential. Processwork focused not only on the depth of the individual’s psychology but also on collective societal issues and the intricate connection between the two. So I decided to move to Portland, Oregon to study this innovative method at the Process Work Institute and became a certified Process Worker in 2004. I also earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from Saybrook University in 2015.

I have over 25 years of experience as a counselor and specialize in working with depression, trauma, mind-body connection, major life transitions, dreams, relationship difficulties, and procrastination. I have also gained a deep understanding of the issues related to cross-cultural and cross-racial communication, immigration and acculturation, racial and ethnic minorities, and cultural and systemic oppression. This specialty arises in part from my research on Asian American psychology but also from my own experiences of living in various parts of the world (including Germany and Bangladesh), living as an immigrant of color, and being in an interracial relationship.

I have also provided facilitation, training, coaching, and consultations to a variety of individuals and organizations over the last 15 years. I am especially skilled at mediation between staff members, building teamwork, and training and coaching on communication and leadership.

Teaching is another passion of mine. I have been a faculty member at the Processwork Institute since 2004, and I was adjunct faculty at Marylhurst University from 2010 – 2017 where I taught courses on various psychological topics related to the mind-body connection, addictions, depression, trauma, relationships, and group dynamics. I also lead workshops and educational trainings in Processwork, leadership, communication skills, and group facilitation both nationally and internationally (incl. Japan, Russia, Germany, Bangladesh, and Thailand). I am one of the founding members of the Process Work training programs in Japan and Russia. One of my current interests is offering psychological training to those who engage in international humanitarian and development activities, and I have been involved in projects with local NGOs in Bangladesh and Nepal. In November 2018, I provided a trauma training to local NGO workers at the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh and will plan to return and offer more training in 2019.