Instructor
<Licensing>
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), California Board of Behavioral Science (BBS)
<2015>
<Schools>
· San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA.
Bachelor of Arts in Photography
<Graduated in 1993>
· New College of California, San Francisco, CA.
Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology, MFT Licensing Track
<Graduated in 2007>
· Todo Institute, Monkton, Vermont.
Japanese Psychotherapy Certification Course
<Certified in 2007>
· John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill, CA.
Expressive Arts Therapy Certification Program
<Certified in 2010>
Saori is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who, for the past eight years has been working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, interpersonal relationships and life transitions at her private practice in San Francisco. Her approach involves helping clients clarify their values and life goals while promoting wellness and mindful living.
When Saori participated in the Banyan Tree Women’s Collective’s wellness event, she fell in love with the mission of supporting women, especially those with barriers to accessing comprehensive wellness services. Saori seized the opportunity to join the Banyan Tree Women’s Collective with the goal of sharing her holistic methods for enhancing mental health and promoting mindful living.
Prior to establishing her private practice, Saori accumulated 16 years of valuable experience in the non-profit counseling sector. During this time, she worked with diverse populations of adolescents and adults at risk, including people of color and LGBTQ clients. Saori demonstrated a strong commitment to ethical, client-centered practices. She used her assessment and clinical skills to enhance the therapeutic experience for her clients across various demographics.
Saori earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology in 2007. Because of her cultural background, Saori also studied Japanese clinical modalities such as Morita Therapy and Naikan self-reflection to offer alternatives to conventional Western therapy. She is one of the few Morita therapists and Naikan practitioners in the United States who have trained directly under specialists in Japan, ensuring the authenticity of her practice. Because of this knowledge, she receives inquiries from people worldwide who seek her guidance.
Saori enjoys giving interactive lectures with school students, consulting professionals on Naikan and Morita Therapy concepts, and volunteering at various non-profit organizations in her spare time. Aside from her work, she loves traveling, photographing, hiking, boogie boarding, and spending time with family, friends, and her cat. She has been living in the Bay Area for over thirty years and feels privileged to have access to the beautiful ocean, hills and colorful cultures.
