Tokyo Counseling

While controversy still remains regarding distinctions between normal grief, complicated grief and pathological grief, and the relationship between depression and grief, grief counseling can be useful for some who have suffered a loss of someone close. If you would like to discuss if grief counseling is right for you, please call us. We are here to help.

Tokyo Mental Health can provide online counseling and phone counseling for those in Japan who do not have easy access to Tokyo. Please enquire if you would like more information about this.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological intervention that grew out of the work of Professor Aaron Beck, with as the name suggests, roots in both behavioural theory and cognitive theory. CBT is now the most widely studied psychological treatment with robust scientific evidence supporting its use in a huge variety of different settings. In particular, randomized controlled trial evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT in treating a wide variety of psychological problems such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD and OCD, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, body dysmorphic disorder, and many disorders of substance abuse. Many practitioners speak more broadly about `Cognitive Therapies` rather than CBT as a unitary treatment, and types of cognitive therapy have multiplied. Contemporary cognitive therapy can be divided into 3 broad ‘generations’ in terms of their evolution. What are often referred to as `third wave` cognitive therapies such as ACT and MBCT include popular techniques of mindfulness. For more information on CBT, see the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) – This mindfulness therapy was developed to help individuals who struggle with recurrent episodes of depression. It can also be used to help work through alcohol and other drug abuse issues. MBCT combines the principles of traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness techniques. MBCT helps individuals with depression become less reactive to thoughts and feelings that would typically cause distress. It can be very beneficial in helping reduce and prevent future bouts of depression by replacing negative thought patterns with positive ones.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – ACT is a mindfulness-based, values-oriented behavioral therapy, that has many parallels to Buddhism, yet is not religious in any way; it is a modern scientific approach, firmly based on cutting-edge research into human behavioral psychology. It focuses on teaching you psychological skills to deal with your painful thoughts and feelings effectively – in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you. Additionally, you will clarify what is truly important and meaningful to you – i.e your values – then use that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate you to change your life for the better. For more information on ACT, see the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science.
The Hakomi Method of Mindfulness-Centered Somatic Psychotherapy – This mindfulness approach was developed by Ron Kurtz back in the 1970s. It focuses on the principles of mindfulness, nonviolence, unity, organicity, and mind-body integration. Hakomi therapy combines elements of multiple philosophies, general systems theory, and modern body-centered therapies. At its most basic level, Hakomi is the therapeutic expression of a specific set of Principles: Mindfulness, Nonviolence, Unity, Organicity and Mind-Body Integration; these tenets inform every aspect of the work. For more information on the Hakomi Method, see the Hakomi Institute.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of what is called ‘depth psychology,’ the primary focus of which is to reveal the unconscious content of a client’s psyche in an effort to alleviate psychic tension. In this way, it is similar in approach and technique to psychoanalysis. Central to most forms of psychotherapy are exploration of the client`s past, often early, formative, childhood years, how the client relates to people in their life in the ‘here and now,’ often interpreted through object relations theory, and the relationship that develops between therapist and client, referred to as ‘transference.’ This form of therapy can be seen as psychoanalysis adapted to a less intensive style of working, usually with therapist and client meeting once or twice per week. The principal theoretical underpinnings of psychodynamic psychotherapy rest upon the work of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, Guntrip, Bion, Jung and Lacan. Principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy has been used in individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and family therapy.

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (known colloquially as CAT) is a modern, time limited, brief psychological intervention that grew out of the work of Dr Anthony Ryle, a UK General Practitioner and psychoanalyst. Cognitive Analytic Therapy incorporates elements of theory from Object Relations Theory, Bowlby`s Attachment Theory, Vygotskian learning theory and Cognitive Psychology. It has a number of distinctive features including the use of questionnaires, and shared letters and diagrams created collaboratively between client and therapist to help the client make sense of their problems. Therapy usually takes place in once-weekly sessions for 16 or 24 weeks, with follow-up sessions to help clients maintain gains. It is a popular psychotherapy in UK and is used commonly in NHS settings with to help those with depression, anxiety disorders, emotional instability and who have been subject to trauma. For more information on CAT, see the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy website.

Counseling has many meanings, and in the sense of ‘giving guidance and advice’ there are many services in Japan that provide counseling. In contrast, the non-directive psychological counseling so familiar to us in the West remains on some level an unfamiliar model of care in Japan. Certain types of counseling and psychological treatment are available at Japanese psychiatry clinics with Japanese psychiatrists under the Japanese health insurance system, but the style of delivery may be alien to those raised abroad. Many private companies, often linked to psychiatry clinics, also provide counseling services for a fee with Japanese clinical psychologists. However, outside of Tokyo and other major cities it can be difficult to access such services.

Not sure psychological counseling at Tokyo Mental Health is right for you? Prefer to find other reputable Tokyo counselors? International Mental Health Professionals Japan (IMHPJ) is a Tokyo-based organization that seeks to serve as a professional body for foreign counselors in Tokyo to help maintain professional and ethical standards. IMHPJ has an active website where you can find profiles and contact details for members.