Online Therapy in Japan
Anxiety | Social Anxiety | Panic Attacks | Phobias | More
Other Issues
Online Therapy in Japan
Though much of my work is focused on anxiety, 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
"Japan has a small expat community. I don't want others to find out that I'm going to therapy"
This is a very important concern, especially here in Japan, in our small expat 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.
"Is online therapy effective?"
Absolutely. Research has shown that the quality of the working alliance between a therapist and client is the number one variable influencing the outcome of therapy. The research has also shown that an effective alliance can just as easily be built online vs in-person.
There are of course some exceptions to the rule. Some issues are not appropriate for online therapy. In these cases, I'm happy to help support clients in finding an in-person therapist.