Bring harmony back into your home.

DR. Yoko Shibata

Hi, I am Dr. Yoko. I am glad you are here.

Do you feel like you are buried in your fear, and you feel like you can barely breathe? Are you a neurodivergent individual who struggles with an overwhelming sense of shame and a tsunami of self-doubts?

You are not alone. You are not defective.

What it’s like to work with me

I am a licensed psychologist who specializes in providing evidence-based therapy for children through young adults as well as consultation for caregivers. I also have 15+ years of working experience in public schools as a school psychologist. In my work, I am guided by the belief that children and families are brilliant and beautiful, and I aim to support and facilitate their transformative agency, particularly clients from diverse backgrounds. 

I offer a range of services to meet the needs of my clients, including individual counseling, family therapy, consultation for IEP and 504 plans, and more. I am dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care.

I understand that every individual is unique and has different needs. My approach is tailored to each client's specific concerns and goals and is culturally responsive, providing a safe and supportive environment for growth and development. I often use CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing in my therapy practice.

MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Culturally Responsive.

Culturally responsive therapy in psychology involves a commitment to understanding and addressing the unique experiences of the individual seeking therapy. It recognizes that cultural factors can significantly impact an individual's mental health and well-being, and that effective therapy must take into account these cultural influences to provide holistic and inclusive care. This commitment involves actively learning about and respecting the client's cultural identity, communicating with cultural sensitivity, adapting therapeutic interventions to align with the client's cultural context, and acknowledging and addressing any cultural biases or assumptions that may arise in the therapeutic relationship. Culturally responsive therapy promotes a collaborative and empowering approach, where the therapist and client work together to explore and integrate the client's cultural perspectives into the therapeutic process, leading to more meaningful and effective outcomes.

 

Evidence-Based Approach

I offer evidence-based therapy, utilizing techniques supported by research to enhance effectiveness in addressing your specific concerns. My primary modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Through CBT and ACT, we can collaboratively explore your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, facilitating positive changes to help you achieve your goals and improve your overall well-being. Additionally, I utilize exposure and response prevention (ERP), an impactful form of CBT specifically designed for addressing OCD, fears, and anxiety. For selective mutism, I specialize in using PCIT-SM strategies and stimulus fading, which are evidence-based approaches to treating individuals with selective mutism.

Strength-Based.

I identify and harness individuals' strengths, talents, and positive qualities to promote well-being and personal growth. It emphasizes building on strengths rather than solely focusing on weaknesses, fostering empowerment, self-efficacy, and resilience in individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. By shifting the focus to strengths, this approach aims to cultivate a positive self-image and enhance overall psychological well-being.

Neurodiversity.

Neurodiversity refers to the concept that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other developmental and cognitive variations, are natural variations of the human brain rather than disorders or deficits that need to be cured. It emphasizes the idea that these differences contribute to the diversity and richness of human society and should be respected, accepted, and accommodated.

My training, education, and specialties

Areas of Specialty:

  • Selective Mutism and other Anxiety Disorders

  • Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • ADHD

  • Developmental Disabilities

  • Consultation for IEP and 504 Plans

  • Parenting

  • Multicultural issues

Approaches

  • Person-Centered

  • Strengths-based

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy - University of Washington, 2017

  • Masters of Education - University of Washington, 2003

  • Bachelor's Degree - Georgetown College, KY, 1999