Life is a full range of beautiful and difficult experiences, most of which we can face on our own or with a support network. You might be here because something is too overwhelming to address alone or you need some new perspectives. That acknowledgment is a huge step toward change and healing and I'm so glad you're here to take those steps. I am honored to witness your life stage and offer any relief from the tensions you're experiencing with reverence, attentiveness, and understanding.
My treatment approach is primarily using the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model; a type of holistic, neuroscientific, and meditative therapy that helps connect to different "parts" of ourselves. At some point in our lives, we hear ourselves say, "There's a part of me that feels..." In IFS therapy, we operate under the assumption that our minds are capable of multiplicity; specifically that we have parts (emotions, thoughts, experiences, memories, somatizations in the body) that serve a role in how we relate to ourselves and others. Each part of us, whether it's a critical, reactive, or shameful part, has a positive intention to protect or help us in some way. And when we identify and appreciate how those parts are trying to help us, they can release their extreme roles in our lives to help us feel more connected, calm, creative, curious, compassionate, clear, caring, or courageous; these feelings are what we describe as having Self-Energy or feeling emotionally regulated and unburdened. Clients have described this experience to be freeing, deeply healing, and transformative. It can take some time to get accustomed and comfortable to the application of what we call insight (the meditative practice of internally exploring and communicating with our thoughts, feelings, and experiences as separate from us) but rest assured that I will be there to guide you through those steps to help you feel safe and connected to your Self. All your parts are welcome and I extend the utmost compassion and care to all of them.
I am formally trained in Internal Family Systems and it is the model that currently use most. Additionally, I pull from Attachment Theory (early childhood attachment, caregiver styles, and boundary setting) to understand your relational history, Family Systems Therapy/Systems Theory (looking at the individual as a part of larger systems with varying dynamics - family, community, culture) to contextualize your lived experience, and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - how our thoughts affect our emotions and behaviors) to offer tools for behavior change.
Regardless of any theories or modalities, I am a trained mental health clinician that is able to hold your unique experiences with you and will show up for your feelings and needs of your past, present, and futures selves. The work can be as depthful as you choose and can offer opportunities for you to face wounded areas of your life. Boundaries, trust, and safety are tenets in building our therapeutic relationship and I hope to help you find relief and rediscover the tools you already have so you can show up for yourself and the world around you in fulfilling ways.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Postpartum Depression, Pregnancy and childbirth, Self-love, Sexuality, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Therapy
HI LMFT MFT-601
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kristina Shimokawa. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Kristina is a wonderful counselor. She gives me the space I need in order to vent and is always supportive of me. She explains ideas and concepts really clearly and helps me name what I am experiencing while guiding me through a session.
Written on Dec 04, 2020 after therapy with Kristina for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and family conflicts
In my several weeks of receiving counseling from Kristina, I’ve learned so much and felt so much. It’s been an emotional journey, as expected, but Kristina has held a safe and open space for me to feel and understand everything on my own pace. I’m so excited to continue working with her!
Written on Nov 29, 2020 after therapy with Kristina for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes