Shima Therapy

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (CA#113018, HI#718) based on the island of Maui, Hawai’i serving residents of California, Hawai'i and Japan. In Japanese, my last name means “island.” Fittingly, I am based on the tropical island of Maui, Hawai’i and frequent the island country of Japan. As a multiethnic Japanese American I feel at home across the Pacific. I’ve spent time in various parts of the world and have become well versed in crossing oceans, in crossing cultures, and in bridging gaps. As I move through the world I have the experience of both fitting in nowhere and fitting in everywhere. Living cross-culturally has added to my flexibility, my ability to tolerate ambiguity, and feeling comfortable in the space between. In Japanese we say, aimai. I have grown to understand my identity as ever flowing and dynamic. Through this experience my life has come to be about creating a sense of place and belonging, aiding connection and harmony, and cultivating compassion and meaning. What is your story?