About Me

My approach

​I  believe that each person is unique and that no two relationships are identical. Due to this belief, I practice the integration of relationally based, client-centered, and trauma-focused modalities founded in the principles of Family Systems. My main modalities are Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Developmental Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and somatic integration. I like to create a structured, collaborative path forward with you—focusing on actionable steps to rebuild confidence, foster growth, and empower you to thrive in your relationships and beyond.  

What Makes My Practice Unique  

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Alongside my clinical training, decades of experience as a professional bodyworker and certifications in energy work deeply inform my methods. While unconventional, this blend allows me to attune to the subtleties often missed in traditional therapy: unspoken struggles, somatic cues, and emotions that defy words. I incorporate nonverbal and somatic practices, to help clients process trauma, deepen emotional awareness, and reconnect with their innate intuition—a compass guiding them back to self-trust.  

Who I Work With 

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I specialize in supporting:  

- Couples committed to breaking negative cycles and harmonizing their identity (I) with their relational roles (we). 

- Creatives, overthinkers, and self-described "misfits" who navigate societal expectations, perfectionism, or the desire to fit in enough and be authentic.

- Asian American, bicultural, and intersectional individuals and couples exploring how cultural narratives, generational stories, and living between identities shape their relationships, self-worth, and sense of belonging.  

My Story

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As a Japanese Okinawan immigrant, member of a biracial family, and lifelong advocate for intersectional inclusivity, I honor the complexity of identity. My surname, Oto (meaning “a great door” in Japanese), reflects my commitment to welcoming all cultures, races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, relationship structures, and lived experiences. When not in session, you’ll find me cooking feasts, traveling to new places, or dancing in my kitchen!