Therapy for Clients in Japan

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Therapy for individuals and relationships living anywhere in Japan (English only).

Did you imagine that moving to a new country would be a fun adventure, only to find the reality of adjusting to your life abroad to be more challenging than you ever expected? Do you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, isolated, anxious, or depressed as you adjust to a new language and culture? Have you seen your relationships with friends and family change since your big move? Do you feel homesick and sometimes wonder why you even made this change? If so, you are not alone!

Or, perhaps you are a Japanese national who has spent some time living abroad. You have gained new perspectives on the world and new ways of expressing yourself, and are struggling to fit into your family and community after returning home. Perhaps you feel misunderstood, or confused about how to fit new knowledge into your old life. These are all common experiences after life abroad.

Finally, perhaps you have chosen to live long-term in Japan because you have an important relationship with a Japanese national. While you love each other very much, you have conflict that can be confusing and upsetting for both of you. Relationships between people from differing cultural backgrounds may face additional challenges when it comes to navigating roles, expressing expectations, and establishing clear communication.

Moving to a new country can be extremely stressful. Expats, immigrants, students, and returnees repatriating after a long time away can all struggle with adjusting. There is so much uncertainty and unpredictability that comes from taking the courageous leap to move to a new place. Sometimes our usual methods of coping are not available or just don’t work the same way in a new context. Sometimes we discover that problems that we hoped to leave at home have followed us on our journey. And sometimes we have changed so much in the process of reinventing ourselves that we even don’t recognize who we are anymore. This can lead those of us who have moved abroad to struggle with all kinds of mental health challenges.

I know from experience that a successful adjustment sometimes requires reaching out for the right kind of support. Having lived in rural Japan with my husband, two cats, and dog from 2019 to 2023, I’ve experienced firsthand the complexities of adapting to a new culture as well as the challenges of re-entering one’s home culture. I understand the nuances of “culture shock” and “reverse culture shock” and how these experiences can impact personal growth, relationship functioning, and overall well-being. My own journey through these transitions enriches my ability to support others navigating similar challenges. I also supported many clients navigating cultural adjustment through my private therapy practice, including expats, students, English teachers, and intercultural couples. I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but as fellow travelers, together we can come up with solutions to help you to lead your best life!

Through telemental-health, I can support individuals, couples, and families living in Japan with a wide range of concerns: