I grew up in East Los Angeles...

...and often spent time with my family at my grandfather and father’s plumbing shop (Aloha Plumbing Shop) five miles away in downtown LA in an area known as Little Tokyo. Being in a metropolitan area, my dad’s business serviced people from just about every ethnic background and socioeconomic status. This involved me being exposed to homeless people and trips to skid row when my dad needed to service a hotel. The shop was a hub of activity and a place to gather as my parents openly welcomed customers, salesmen, tradesmen and people from the local community. From these early experiences I learned that all people were good and deserved respect and consideration. I never heard judgment toward someone just because of their background. 

At eleven years old I was the oldest of many cousins. With me in tow, my mother helped my aunts when they came home with their new-borns. I watched my mother show my aunts how to change diapers, give baths, heat milk and all the ways that one loves an infant. These are some of my most cherished memories as the atmosphere was overflowing with love, caring and precious babies. I took to this role of caregiver which has continued throughout my life. This influenced my choices in undergraduate school focusing on Eastern Philosophy, Psychology and eventual elementary teaching certification. I later worked in Hawaii counseling and teaching disadvantaged and at risk teens at an alternative school.  To advance my skills I got a masters degree in education and a PhD in Counseling and Cultural Studies. 

In the beginning of my thirty-five years of private practice ...

...in New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley I continued my interest in spiritual practices as they spoke to a larger context of the origins of suffering. Before the advent of modern psychology and therapy, as a way to treat human suffering, ancient masters and teachers from many religious faiths have addressed the trials of being human.  In understanding my own suffering and the suffering of my clients I found solace and teachings that could benefit myself and my clients as well.  In combination with studying state of the art western psychological methodologies I continued my exploration of eastern wisdom teachings and Christianity. This included 20 years as a Zen student and leading a small sangha, 10 years of Diamond Heart work, working with Advaita Vedanta (nondualism) teachers and studying the teachings of Christ. Currently my psychological studies include Nonviolent Communication, Internal Family Systems Model(Assistant Trainer), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy and Enneagram work. 

After many hours of spending very intimate time with people in therapy...

...I’ve found something more essential than all the book learning and skills one could acquire. People are challenged with a whole range of pain and suffering, and helping them cope with the unpredictability and impermanence of the external world is limited. As an individual and psychologist I’ve come to understand unseen resources that can help us accept and allow any tragedy or misfortune that may come our way. It is not what happens to us, but how we handle it. Enlightened masters for hundreds of years have pointed to a resource which is available to each one of us in every moment. This greater resource is what I hope to bring my clients and my community. It is the essence of who we are, we just need help and guidance to know this truth.