About Ohshue
Pronouns: He/they
Child, Adult & Family Therapist

My Life’s Journey: How I Got to Where I Am Now

From an early age, I believed in a “go-getter” attitude. I found myself always doing more and working towards something. My parents immigrated to the United States in 1989, and I grew up seeing how hard they worked to provide a safe, nurturing environment. At the same time, I realized that a go-getter attitude sometimes left very little room for sitting with my emotions, processing difficult situations, and self-care.

As such, my life has been a balancing act between finding purpose in my day-to-day life and also being intentional about holistically taking care of myself—emotionally, physically, or otherwise. While very cliché, I strongly believe in the saying: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” For me, self-care means going on walks outside, spending some quality time with my two cats (Mugi and Tom!), and baking.

I also believe that as humans, we have a responsibility to each other to find and uplift the best versions of ourselves. This belief led me to become a therapist, and I haven’t looked back ever since. My responsibility is to walk alongside you and bear witness to the wins and struggles in your everyday life while supporting you in finding your inner healer.

Why I Believe in Therapy

Growing up in a relatively conservative Japanese community, I openly identified as LGBTQ+ and have certainly felt isolated at times. During these times, I found that learning more about therapy helped me discover and appreciate the parts of myself that I genuinely love. Therapy also gave me the tools and language to understand what I was experiencing. In this way, I believe “knowledge truly is power.”

As a therapist, I have the utmost respect for those who take the first steps to get started in therapy. Sometimes, this initial step is the hardest yet the most important in the therapeutic process. Choosing to take care of yourself is a testament to the inner healer within you.

My Approach to Therapy

Therapy is a unique experience for each individual. However, my general approach is human-centered. I prioritize building a strong, trusting relationship with my clients. I believe that therapeutic relationships develop over time through genuine connection. For better or for worse, this takes time!

Secondly, I view therapy from a “trauma-informed” approach. When I say trauma-informed, I don’t necessarily mean that we all have significant traumatic experiences in our lives. Rather, many of us have experiences in healthcare settings where we’re asked, “What’s wrong with you?” A trauma-informed approach instead asks people, “What happened to you?” This subtle language change acknowledges that we are all shaped by our past, present, and future experiences. Ultimately, you are the expert of your own life, and I am privileged to be a part of your journey.

Who I Work With

I work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. As we get to know each other, we will collaborate to determine your therapy goals and the best ways to achieve them. For some, this might involve developing coping skills through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). For others, it could mean processing the emotions that arise during life’s difficult moments. Whatever the approach, I am committed to ensuring our sessions are tailored to your unique needs and goals.

My Professional Background

I have a background in public health and social work, and much of my professional work has focused on finding evidence-based practices that truly support people’s needs. To continue this important work, I am currently pursuing a PhD in health services. Additionally, I believe therapists have an ethical responsibility to be lifelong learners. I strive to integrate new interventions and skills into my practice to meet the diverse needs of those I serve.

Credentials

Master’s of Science, M.S, in Social Work
Master of Public Health, MPH
Bachelor of Arts, B.A. in Sociology
WA Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC), SC61569406