Tomoko Iimura, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Sometimes a painful experience has a grip on you - so much so that you feel unable to move past it. You feel betrayed, confused, hurt, scared, desperate, or angry. You feel consumed by it, and it's affecting your relationships and your performance. You may question your life choices, and you may feel like you're at the end of your rope. Where do I go now? What do I do now? These are difficult, vulnerable moments in your life. Seeking help is a proactive and courageous act, and I will meet you where you are. I am here to listen and provide a safe holding space for you to release the pain you have been holding in. I know each client comes with unique needs, based on each person's rich life story. I will take time to carefully listen to the experiences you bring to the table to understand the values that are important to you so that any resolution of the problem(s) is in alignment with your values and beliefs. We will move at the pace you feel comfortable with. A key factor in the success of therapy is the fit between you and your therapist. The trust you build with your therapist is the foundation of any progress you make. That's why I offer a free initial consultation via phone or video so you can experience how it feels to talk to me and see if it feels right for you. I can also make sure that I can offer what you're looking for.

In my work with couples, I use the Gottman Method for couples therapy and emotionally focused therapy, having received advanced training in both. I have completed the Gottman training on treating affairs and trauma as well. Additionally, I am trained in narrative, solution-focused, and collaborative therapies, though I draw on various other therapy models as well to fit the unique needs and circumstances of each client.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, licensed to practice in the State of Texas. I turned to the mental health field by way of 12 years in corporate roles unrelated to the field but always harboring a passion for psychology and understanding human relationships. I have previously spent my life in 8 cities in 5 countries and have now settled in San Antonio, TX. As a roving expat for the majority of my life from a young age, I am used to having to start a new life every few years. I am accustomed to entering unfamiliar worlds, slowly learning the local language, customs, norms, and values - and trying to find common ground and building points of connection. I bring this same mentality to the therapy room. I am mindful that I am entering the client's world and context that are shaped by unique life experiences and belief system, and I aim to be a respectful and non-judgmental observer, while trying to see the world through your eyes. I also saw from a young age that life satisfaction begins and ends in the home and in the quality of your relationships. Even if you have material success, if your relationships are suffering, often there is an inescapable sense of emptiness. As a therapist, my role is to help clients process difficult experiences, distill what they would like to take away from the experiences and what they would like to leave behind, so that they can be empowered to be intentional about the relationships they have now. I received my Master's degree in Psychology (Marriage & Family Therapy) from Our Lady of the Lake University. I completed my clinical internship at the Rape Crisis Center, working with survivors of sexual violence and their families, as well as at the Community Counseling Services, working primarily with members of the West side of San Antonio. I also hold another Master's degree in Public Policy and International Affairs from Columbia University in New York City from my previous life, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Middlebury College in Vermont. I am married and am a mother to a fierce little girl and a sweet rescue dog.