Conference Presenters
KEYNOTE

Sacred Space in a Post-Pandemic World:Intentional connection as a path forward

Billy Cleary, M.A., LMFT, Clinical Director of TELL Japan
Pronouns: he/him
Keynote Speaker, Billy Cleary, Clinical Director of TELL Japan, speaks to thepost-pandemic challenges, collective exhaustion and burnout in our profession and how we cancollectively heal as therapists and shine the light forward.
Billy Cleary, MA, LMFT has served as TELL Japan’s Clinical Director since 2018. Billy is a graduate ofWheaton College’s Marriage and Family Therapy program in Illinois, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist. As a therapist, Billy believes that creating a space to collectively navigate social and relational
issues promotes healing and change, thus strengthening relational bonds. His focus at TELL is to build
upon its mission to support individuals, families, and communities throughout Japan and help restore
relationships for the international and Japanese community.

Languages, Lands, Thresholds:
The experience of a mental health professional
working in a host country—challenges and rewards
Joanna Sato, M.A. Psychology
Pronouns: she/hers

In this workshop-style presentation, Joanna will focus on typical challenges
therapists and counsellors face while working with their clients and how international relocation caninfluence these dynamics. Opportunities for growth, as well as difficulties, will be addressed. Throughactivities and discussion, participants will be invited to reflect on their professional experience in Japan andits impact on their identities.

Joanna Sato is a long-term resident in Japan, where she currently works in private practice. She has acommitment to holistic well-being and draws inspiration from various therapeutic approaches such ascognitive-behavioral therapy, analytical psychology, mindfulness and art therapies. She has more thantwenty years of clinical experience, providing services for international communities in Japan, Switzerland,and Poland. Joanna received her master’s degree in psychology from Jagiellonian University in Kraków,
Poland and specialised in clinal and social psychology. She also offers life and executive coaching andholds the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Addressing Challenges with Couples:
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples in Japan
Miho Taki, MA, LMHC, NCC, JPP, Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist
Pronouns: she/hers
Working with couples is a unique challenge for therapists especially when partners are in
negative relational patterns feeling defeated and lost in their relationship. Miho Takai, a certified EFT therapist working
with couples in Tokyo, will share how she helps couples slow down and identify their own cycles through theattachment lens. She will also fold in her perspectives, based on her clinical experiences, working with couples inJapan and intercultural relationships, raising examples of couples who speak Japanese and/or English as their nativelanguage. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples is an evidence-based couples therapy rooted in attachment
theory and is widely used with various cultural groups.
Miho Takai, MA, LMHC, is the co-founder of Sky Counseling & Consultation in Tokyo where she is in clinical practicesupporting couples, families, and individuals. She received a master’s degree in counseling from Antioch University
Seattle, in the U.S., and began her clinical work in Seattle working with diverse clients within a variety of settings
including a university psychology clinic for communities and Washington state community mental health agencies.
Miho returned to her native country Japan and has worked in multiple private practice offices in Tokyo before founding
Sky Counseling & Consultation. She is a passionate advocate, organizer and coordinator for bringing EFT trainings
here in Japan both in Japanese and English.

Working with Neurodiversity in the Therapy Setting
Denisse Wasumi, M.A. Clinical Psychologist
Pronouns: she/hers

Neurodivergent traits in clients can be difficult to discern and can leave thetherapist puzzled regarding engagement and treatment for certain individuals.
Denisse will focus on the influence of Neurodivergence in the course of therapy
and treatment. While using case studies from her experiences as a base, she will
guide attendees in visualizing and analyzing some examples of how to identify Neurodivergent patterns inclients. She will also discuss some of the usual difficulties that can arise and share different ways thetherapist can support a client in this context.
Denisse Wasumi (formerly Moreno) completed her graduate studies in Mexico, where she worked for six
years in the Special Education system. She received a scholarship from the Japanese government to study
Clinical Psychology in Japan, at Tokyo Metropolitan University, where she did research on CulturalAdaptation and therapy methods for neurodivergent children. After graduating, she started working with theinternational population in Tokyo, focusing on both therapy and psychological assessments for clients of allages. Denisse is currently working in private practice for therapy, assessments and workshops.

The State of Post-Covid Psychological Therapies:
Challenges and opportunities

Dr. Karan Sahar, DClinPsy, CPsychol., EuroPsy, Clinical Psychologist, Licenced in
UK and Sweden, Chartered member of The British Psychological Society, EuropeanCertificate in Psychology - EuroPsy, a member of EFPA.
Pronouns: he/him
The COVID-19 crisis resulted in dramatic and significant challenges for the therapy profession in relation tothe way practitioners practice. Many of the challenges brought about major changes in the way therapists
offer services and engage in practice in these times. Dr. Sahar will focus on the complexities, challenges
and opportunities of telemental health (online services), including the practical, clinical and technicalaspects. There will also be audience dialogue with a focus on reflective exploration and highlighting thelived experiences and perspectives of practitioners working and navigating during the COVID andpost-COVID era.
Dr. Karan Sahar is a Sweden and UK-licensed Clinical Psychologist with a particular interest inneuropsychology and neurodevelopment who received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from theUniversity of London (UK). With his international background, he has over 15 years of experience inclinically and culturally diverse settings and populations. Dr Sahar also has several years of experienceteaching and consulting psychology students and health professionals.
Dr. Sahar relocated to Japan in December 2020 and has since established his own practice, LivFull
Psychology. He offers person-centred online psychotherapy, counselling, and parent training. He uses anintegrative approach to therapy in his clinical practice but frequently utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral,Acceptance-Commitment, and Solution-Focused Brief therapies.

COMMUNITY TRACK 1

Examining the Hurdles of Private Practice in Japan
with Andrew Parkinson, MCouns, BSc.Psych, SEP
Private practice in Japan, especially for the expatriate processional, can pose some confusing twists andturns when it comes to the business side of things. Join Andrew in a discussion of collective struggles andlearn tips and strategies for navigating private practice with more confidence and awareness.
COMMUNITY TRACK 2

Holding Space for Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
With Michelle Pietrzak-Wegner, MS, LMHC, SEP

No one therapist is immune to the exhaustion and fray of caring and attending to others. Join Michelle for amindful reflective circle discussion on strengthening therapist self-care in the midst of post-pandemic
mental health care.