Okinawa Therapy & Counseling Services
Anxiety | Social Anxiety | Panic Attacks | & Other Issues
Other Issues
Counseling in Okinawa
Though much of my work is focused on anxiety related issues, I have experience working with a wide range of challenges:
- Expat Issues / Cross-Cultural Adjustment
- Sadness & Depression
- Anger
- Relationships / Divorce / Breakups
- Parenting
- Life Transitions
- Grief
- Addiction
Common Questions & Concerns
"Okinawa is a small community. I don't want others to find out that I'm going to therapy"
This is a very important concern, especially here in Okinawa, in our small foreign population. Unfortunately, there can be harsh judgement if someone discovers you're going to therapy. It can quickly get around and negatively impact your social and professional life.
Confidentiality is my number one priority.
Confidentiality is foundational to therapy and is something we will review and discuss thoroughly during our first session.
"I have friends to talk with. How is therapy different?"
Having a social support system is crucial to our mental health. At the same time, talking to a therapist is a much different experience than getting support from friends.
First, often times friends give advice and try to be fixers. Though well intended, advice usually lands flat. Instead of fixing, we're usually looking for understanding and acceptance. Second, friends aren't always the best listeners. Often times they try to help by relating what we're going through with a similar situation they've experienced. Third, it's hard to go to friends on a regular basis for the same challenges. We risk burning them out.
Therapy is not about me giving clients advice. I don't know what's best in someone else's life. Instead, my training and experience is in helping clients increase self-awareness, uncover helpful and unhelpful patterns in their lives, and assisting them in clarifying their struggles and desires. Through this process, many people find change to be more possible and choosing which direction to take in life becomes more clear.
"Do I have to have a mental health condition to come to therapy?"
Not at all. People utilize therapy for a number a different reasons. Some people come for one session to get support before making an important decision. Other people come for assistance in managing and to recover from a mental health condition.
I place less emphasis on diagnosis and more emphasis on understanding why you're coming to therapy, what sort of change you're looking for, and to assist you in making lasting change.