Couples therapists in Colorado Springs, CO

I am a bilingual therapist offering therapy in Japanese and English for individuals and couples. I specialize in trauma and relationship-focused work, using a somatic approach to help clients feel more grounded, connected, and supported as they navigate life’s challenges. I bring a multicultural lens to my work with clients from diverse backgrounds. Many of my clients are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or relationship challenges. I offer a supportive space to slow down, make sense of these experiences, and find greater clarity and connection. I am currently accepting new clients.

I’m an LCSW, and my practice name, Life Shift Happens, comes from a truth I see every single day: people don’t come to therapy because they’re broken. They come because life stopped unfolding the way they expected, and they feel entirely stuck. A lot of the humans I work with are incredibly thoughtful and trying so hard. They usually don't lack insight; they’ve read the coping skills and talked things through with friends. Yet, they still find themselves procrastinating, shutting down, or feeling completely frozen by past stuff. When that happens, change isn’t a matter of forcing more willpower. It requires slowing down to look at the patterns and defense mechanisms we build to protect ourselves when life gets heavy.

My style is collaborative, deeply conversational, and entirely human. I’m not here to judge, lecture, or pretend I have all the answers. Instead, I’m active in our sessions through asking questions, noticing patterns, and gently pushing back when I see you getting in your own way. We will work on the practical things like boundaries, follow-through, and managing emotions, while sitting with the messy overthinking, panic, burnout, or feeling checked out underneath it all. Therapy with me is a relationship where we make sense of the sudden crises and quiet paralyses that come with life shifts. The goal isn’t a perfect, flawless life, but rather a therapeutic space where you can figure out what changed, sprinkle in compassion, and learn how to move forward in a way that feels genuinely your own.

I believe therapy is most effective when people feel safe and supported, and my master’s degree in forensic psychology taught me to see things from multiple perspectives to support clients. I have worked in outpatient substance use treatment and integrated healthcare and also taught and supervised students and early-career therapists. These experiences have helped tailor my practice to support clients experiencing complex and traumatic events, relationship issues, addiction, and life changes.

I have experience working with a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma/PTSD, racial and sexual identity, career concerns, OCD, and relationship conflicts.

I am excited about the opportunity to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental wellness. I am a kink-allied, sex-positive, and gender-affirming therapist.

Please contact me directly before booking an appointment.

I’m a Colorado-based licensed therapist with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and work primarily with adults who are high-functioning on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected on the inside. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, or life transitions, even while appearing capable and put-together to others. My approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and tailored to each individual, with an emphasis on understanding patterns, increasing self-awareness, and creating space for meaningful and lasting change.

I bring warmth, humor, and clear guidance to therapy. Cognitive techniques help uncover how thoughts shape emotions and actions, while mindfulness fosters calm and focus. We’ll also explore your values to guide our work. Humor keeps things light, and directness ensures we stay on track. Together, we’ll work toward lasting growth and confidence.I earned my Master’s in Counseling from Wake Forest University.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Walden University, with a concentration in trauma-informed care. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), as well as certified in Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and Sandplay Therapy. My early career centered on supporting children and families navigating trauma, substance use, and instability, as well as individuals transitioning from incarceration and reintegrating into their communities. These experiences continue to shape my person-centered, integrative approach to care.

In my practice, I support adults and children through an individualized, holistic lens. My therapeutic philosophy draws from Person-Centered, Holistic, and Psychodynamic therapies—approaches that value empathy, self-awareness, and exploration of the connections between past and present. I believe all people have an innate capacity for growth, resilience, and healing when they are met with safety, compassion, and curiosity.