What if the tension inside of you isn’t something to fix, but something to understand?
When you've spent years trying to fit in, keep the peace, or push through the pain, it can feel like something inside you is broken. Or not enough. I know it may not feel this way right now, but please hear me. You don't need fixing, because you're not broken.
Many of the people I work with are high achievers, including university and international students, and many come from Asian or immigrant families. They've spent their lives shaping themselves to fit a mold, at home, at school or work, and in their relationships. Our work together is about reclaiming the parts of you that got pushed aside, making sense of your experiences, and feeling like yourself again.
Here, you get to be yourself. No holding back.
What it's like to work with me
I know how powerful it is to sit down with someone who truly gets it.
I was born and raised in Japan and later immigrated to the U.S., so I know what it's like to live across cultures and make sense of different ways of thinking, being, and healing. Raising triracial, trilingual children has deepened my understanding of how identity, language, and tradition intersect.
Alongside my training in psychotherapy, I'm a Zen practitioner and a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and I've explored natural medicine and ritual-based healing. All of this shapes how I show up in my work. With deep respect for your background, and the belief that healing isn't one-size-fits-all.
In our sessions, we'll tune into what your body is telling you and reach the layers of healing that words alone can't. My approach is rooted in contemplative somatic psychotherapy, which brings together mindfulness, body awareness, and practical skills for understanding your emotions. It's holistic, affirming, and trauma-informed, and it honors the wisdom of both your body and your mind.
Clients often tell me they feel truly seen and heard in our sessions. Not just because I listen, but because I respond. I don't sit with a neutral face or hold back my reactions. When you share something painful, confusing, or even joyful, you'll see my empathy reflected right back at you. That makes it easier to open up and go deeper. However healing looks for you, I'm here to support you in finding your way, on your terms.
Our bodies hold memories, emotions, and even ancestral patterns that shape how we move through the world.
As an Asian immigrant therapist, I know healing isn't only personal. It's cultural, historical, and tied to the places we come from, even when we don't know our exact roots. Many of us carry unspoken expectations, intergenerational trauma, and the complexity of belonging. Whether you're holding more than one cultural identity, navigating family dynamics, or processing the impact of racism, oppression, or trauma, this is a space where every part of you is seen and valued.
What you can expect from me
Culturally attuned.
I'll still ask about your story, because it matters. But you won't have to convince me why setting boundaries feels impossible, or why putting yourself first brings guilt. I already understand.
Direct & compassionate.
I'll be honest with you, and I'll always hold that honesty with warmth.
Grounding.
Healing isn't just about talking. It's about feeling. We'll tune into your body's wisdom to uncover what words can't always express.
Unconventional.
I don’t just sit back and nod. I engage, challenge, and help you see patterns you might not notice on your own.
Empowering.
You are not broken. I’ll help you see your strength, even when you can’t.
Liberating.
You've spent so much of your life meeting expectations. Here, you get to explore who you are, without guilt or pressure.
My Background
I'm a contemplative psychotherapist trained at Naropa University and a Certified Hakomi Therapist. Hakomi is a mindfulness-based somatic approach that helps you gently notice what your body is holding, at your own pace. I blend it with evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT, because the body holds what words can't always reach. Over time, your nervous system learns that it's safe to slow down, speak up, and rest.
I'm also deeply attuned. Sometimes a word or an image comes to me during a session, and I often sense what's happening underneath before it's put into words. I'll always offer it gently and check it with you, instead of assuming.
My work draws on both Eastern contemplative traditions and Western psychotherapy. Together, we'll look at the patterns that started in childhood, the cultural expectations you carry, and how both show up in your relationships today.
Education & Licensure
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Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado (License #0018796)
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Certified Hakomi Therapist
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M.A. in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University
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B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University
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Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher (Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach, UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center)
