I am delighted you are here!
Welcome! My name is Yoko.
I recognize that you have taken an important and courageous step forward in contemplating therapy today. As you are about to begin this journey of healing, self-discovery and growth, I am honoured you are considering me as your personal guide.
I bring my whole authentic self to create a safe, trusting alliance with you. This means that I honour and welcome who you are, all parts of you in our space together in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. I believe that we are biologically wired for healing. By healing, I mean by integrating your heart, your mind, your body and your spirit, we learn to become whole. By tuning into the inner wisdom of our body, together we can begin to make sense of how you experience life.
Areas of Focus
My unique approach is informed by my own healing journey and discoveries after leaving home at 15 on my own, and moving to a part of the world that required me to acquire a new language. While your story is not the same as mine, identifying as a minority in most places I have lived, my life experiences and struggles allows me to relate to your struggles. Below is a list of my most commonly focused areas of therapy.
Anxiety & Depression
Relationship Issues
Relational Trauma
Anger
ADHD
Grief and Loss
Shame
Chronic Pain
Spirituality and/or Faith
Internalized Oppression and Racism
Identifying as a minority in most places I have lived and in desperation to belong and be accepted, I ended up losing so much of who I was in an to blend and assimilate into the cultures where I lived. Only now in my 40s, I am learning to rediscover who I truly am and who I am becoming. It’s a delicate journey of both mourning the loss of who I was and discovering, accepting and coming home to who I am today. My journey has given me rich perspectives, understanding and appreciation for people of colours, races, and beliefs of various walks of life. While I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to be marginalized in all aspects of life, as a non-Black person of colour, I do understand what it’s like to be a minority on this side of the world.
Aside from being a Therapist and Art Therapist, I’m an imperfect human, just like you, who loves to connect with others at a deep human level. I’m a mother of two girls, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a pet lover, an INFJ, and an audio book lover. Some call me a “Pacific-Rim” – I grew up in Japan until I was 15 and moved around the world on my own before settling here in the Fraser Valley, where I live with my family. I look forward to being with you.
Training & Education
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Training & Education |
Credentials
Registered Clinical Counsellor in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (Member #17259).
Canadian Certified Counsellor in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Member #10010828)
Professional Member in good standing with the BC Art Therapy Association (Member #0548P)
Master of Counselling in Psychology - Art Therapy, Adler University, Vancouver
training
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Level 3 Therapist
AEDP – Repairing microaggression
AEDP - Advanced Skills Modules (1, 2, 3)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training
Birth and Reproductive Trauma with Canadian Perinatal Mental Health
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parenting
Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
IndEdu200x: Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education
Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk
SafeTALK
The Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level I Clinical Training
Expressive Play Therapy Certificate
I have almost a decade of experience in supporting people who are grieving and those who are nearing end of life.
I am committed to ongoing healing work of my own and participating in individual and group supervision.