Counseling in Japan

CRN Japan suggests that many child related issues can be best resolved through counseling rather than legal activity. Improving the parents' relationship so that they want to stay together is almost always going to be better for a child than a divorce.  In other cases, a mutually agreeable resolution is better for the child's mental heath than seeing his parents battle it in court.

Unfortunately, Japanese do not have a history of counseling.  Instead, it is common to deny problems both in personal lives and at work, simply attributing them to bad personal relationships (NINKEN KANKEI GA WARUI), as if such things were completely beyond the control of any individual.  It is easier to cut all ties than to improve the relationship.  When a problem gets so severe that it interrupts life or work, Japanese tend to use psychologists who prescribe drugs, rather than counselors who will talk to you and try to work out problems. 

But counselors do exist throughout Japan, even bilingual ones trained in western style counseling.  They are familiar with common relationship problems in an international relationship and can help each partner see the other person's point of view.  When this is not enough, they may even be able to help avoid family law problems by helping everyone understand that a relationship with both parent is in a child's best interests.

Since it is so common in Japan to completely cut the child off from the other parent, we also believe that it is common for that parent to try to turn the child against the other parent. Outside Japan, this Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is recognized by psychologists and by courts.  Inside Japan, it is just beginning. CRN Japan has a special section on PAS, and lists separately, Re-integration Counseling and Services, designed to help a child or adult suffering from PAS re-form a normal relationship with his or her parent.

• seishinkai (psychiatrist)
• kaunsera (qualified psycholgical counselors)
• rinsho shinrishi (clinical psychologist)
• utsubyo (literally, "mood disorder")

Essays

Nearly all are are unwritten - we need your help!!

• What is Choutei - Family Court Mediation ?  (notes and questions for the real essay)

• Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ (many short questions with concise answers)

• Introduction to Relationship Counseling in Japan  What types of relationship counseling is available in Japan (what's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist here, and why do they seem to use drugs as a replacement for counseling?)
• The psychological stresses on a child when his parents cannot agree on custody or visitation issues.  What can happen to a child who sees his parents go after each other in court.  The psychological advantages to a child having two parents who get along and try to cooperate on child related issues.
• Counseling for children.  Why?  When?  Psychological stresses on mixed race children in Japan.  Or children separated from one parent.  Or children where one parent seems to not want to be part of their lives.  Or children born out of wedlock in Japan.   Does counseling help them for any of these issues?  Top
• 10 stresses related to any of these topic.
• Top 10 hints for getting through the psychological stresses associated with divorce or child rights issues.
• What to look for when choosing a provider of multicultural counseling in Japan  How does bilingual counseling work, and what are its advantages to a couple with mixed native languages?
• Is there any special type of counseling available to help with child related issues?
• How can he/she justify cutting off all access to my child?  Why did he/she abduct our child?  A discussion to help understand the Japanese point of view.
• Re-integration of a child and a lost parent.

Resources and Counseling Organizations

• Ikebukuro Counseling Center (in Japanese)  ICC provides confidential counseling in English, Japanese, and French, and also multicultural and  support groups, in addition to dance therapy groups for all residents in the Tokyo community. Bilingual counselors, JSCCP clinical psychologists and JFP psychotherapists assist individuals, couples and families experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse and other difficulties in their personal, social, working, and multicultural relationships.  The ICC is associated with the Hoizumi Clinic.
  • Hozumi Clinic (in Japanese), which is a medical and daycare center providing professional and confidential client centered, adult rehabilitation day care services, medical support, certified psychotherapy and licensed psychiatric consultation for Tokyo area residents. Assisting individuals, couples and families experiencing stress or difficulties in their interpersonal, family, social or working relationships. Japanese health insurance accepted.
• Tokyo Child and Adolescent Counseling  Service (In Japanese) with counselors fluent in English, Japanese, and Spanish, who are experienced in treating children and adolescents from a number of cultural backgrounds, and in particular mixed Western-Japanese children.  The director is Dr. Douglas Berger whose personal website is here.
  • Counseling and Psychotherapy in Tokyo Japan. (In Japanese) Website of Dr. Douglas Berger, an American Board-Certified Psychiatrist conducting psychotherapy and counseling in both English and Japanese, and psychiatric research, in the Shibuya-Ebisu area of central Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Berger is experienced as a therapist in individual counseling, marriage and couples counseling; particularly Japanese-Western couples, family counseling, and group psychotherapy. 
• Counseling and Psychotherapy in Tokyo and Japan (In Japanese) A bilingual English Japanese site giving information on finding an approved counseling center, a Japanese Federation of Psychotherapy registered psychotherapist, a Japan Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists qualified clinical psychologist, licensed psychiatric clinic services for Tokyo community and Japan residents, plus information on how to tell a counselor, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatric social worker or psychiatrist is certified, registered or licensed in Japan to offer mental health care and emotional, social and psychological support services.
• Kansai Counseling Centre - For anyone experiencing difficulty adjusting to Japan, or any other problem for which psychotherapy or counseling services are needed. Serving the Kansai (Western) area of Japan, ICC's Master's level, western-trained staff is available in English, Japanese and Spanish.  Primary focus is the foreign community, but anyone is welcome.

• Tokyo English Lifeline.  Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is a multifaceted, nonprofit organization that has been serving the international and business communities since 1973. Our services include free phone counseling and information, professional face-to-face counseling, and educational workshops.

• Counseling and Support in Tokyo and Japan is an English and Japanese web site, created by a JSCCP Certified Clinical Psychologist, originally from Great Britain who now works in a Tokyo counseling center.  It provides free practical information on JSCCP qualified clinical psychologists, counseling, group therapy, psychiatry, mental and social rehabilitation programs in Tokyo.  Lots of good information.

• Prem Dana Takada MA. Fully trained Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist providing effective individual and couple psychotherapy for the treatment of stress, depression, anxiety, relationship, sexual and eating disorders, abuse history, psychiatric disorders, cross cultural issues, work issues and for personal growth. 17 years international work experience in Australia, England and Asia. Prem Dana's approach draws on diverse training in Cognitive Psychology, Couple and Family Therapy, Hypnotherapy and Brief and Solution Focused approaches in Australia, London, Asia and the U.S. Call (03) 3449 2526

• Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Tokyo University, who works with divorced couples.  Mentioned in Asahi Shinbun article.

• Frances Marr, the director of the Tokyo branch of DivorceCare, a counseling program for people coping with divorce.  Mentioned in Asahi Shinbun article.
• Hiromi Ikeuchi, divorce and marriage counselor and representative at Tokyo Kazoku Laboratory. Telephone: 813 3953 3395. An English speaking counselor is available. Fax: 813 5996 3860. Web site (in Japanese): www.ikeuchi.com
• International Mental Health Professionals Japan URL: www.imhpj.org  A multi-professional association of therapists who provide mental health services to the international community.
• ISSJ - International Social Services in Japan.  - Their website claims they are "Sanctioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare" and they appear to have a relationship with the UN and the Philippines.  They have counseling and several other services.  Reports are mixed.  Some people thank them heartily for their help and others say they wont get involved in anything controversial.
• Mood Disorders Association of Japan (Japanese only) -
• Federation of Inochi no Denwa (Japanese only) - Looks like an association for counseling hotlines.  The phone numbers are hard to find, but look here.  There are also some in English.
• Utsu-sapo Seikatsu Kojo Iinkai - Japanese language internet support group for spouses of people suffering from depression.

Resources (Reintegration Services)

• The Rachel Foundation for Family Reintegration provides reintegration programs and services for parents and children whose bonds of love and affection have been damaged or destroyed by abduction and/or alienation.

Articles

• Feminism, Autonomic Imbalance, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  In Japanese it's called jiritsu shinkei shichosho,  "but despite the serious-sounding name, autonomic imbalance is not generally a major problem. The books [in Japan] make it clear that it is a problem caused by "stress," and surprise, surprise, the treatment is mainly tranquilizers and rest."  (cached copy)
• Depression; Japan Times; July 10, 2005.  Although the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimates of Japanese suffering from depression are less than one percent, an NHK documentary claims it to be one person in seven, nearly 15 percent.  Depression has been a hidden disease, but is becoming more recognized in Japanese society, and hence more treatable.  (cached copy)
• Pills To The Rescue?; Japan Times; July 10, 2005.  Modern anti-depressants have finally come to Japan, and are making more and more money for the drug companies. (cached copy)
• Support groups to aid of all affected; Japan Times; July 10, 2005.  Support groups in Japan for depression are scarce but growing. (cached copy)