Yuko Ishikawa, LMFT
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I specialize in both preventative work and repair work.
I have a breadth of experience in working with interracial couples and cross-cultural relationships as well as with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified clients in various relationship configurations – monogamous, open, and polyamorous relationships across different seasons of the couple’s life stages - Dating to Marriage to Transition to Parenthood.
I invite couples across all ages & stages of life to take a well-structured 4 session marriage preparation & enhancement course to improve communication and conflict management skills.
I utilize cutting edge couples therapy techniques drawn from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT); The Gottman Method; and Imago Relationship Therapy to guide both individuals and couples to have a better understanding of their needs; to create a vision for the healthy relationship; to improve communication skills, and to explore what it means to have a fulfilling sexual intimacy.
Simultaneously, I support individual clients to navigate through life events that shook the self worth and interrupted the sense of safety. If you feel stuck in the past events, experienced loss, have self-doubt, and fears, I want to give you a voice to express - yourself.
I utilize evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) techniques.
My approach is not limited to talk therapy. I constantly upgrade my skills with advanced trainings that integrate Neuroscience and Body-Centered / Somatic trainings and creatively incorporate Narrative Therapy and Internal Family Systems to tailor and customize to your needs.
Client Testimonials
Touching hearts - one person at a time -
“My skepticism towards psychotherapy has been changed tremendously and transformed to a hope through you.”
- L.K.
“You truly have helped me become a more confidant woman and discover myself again. From this experience, I know that I deserve to be successful in whatever I put my mind to and I will.”
- M.G.
“A ‘thank you’ is not enough but it is all we have. There have been few bumps along the way, but we have overcome them. I know we will face challenges in the future, but we are better prepared with tools and skills learned from the sessions with you.”
– P.T. & T.T. & N.T.
“I’m in a way better place than when I started the therapy with you. Because of you, I did NOT give up.”
- A.D.
“Your sessions have not only opened my eyes to the wonders of therapy but have made me an advocate for mental health awareness and its de-stigmatization.”
- C.P. & K.M.
"My fiance and I had really insightful and thought-provoking counseling, prior to our upcoming marriage. Yuko is non-secular, and accepting of trans, gay, queer, pan, polyamory, triads, etc. so you can go in, whoever you are, and properly prep for the marital future you want to have. Her sessions sparked important conversations afterwards, where we noticed we had blind spots in our own relationship. While expensive, it was definitely worth it and highly recommended if you want to be extra prepared for your upcoming nuptials."
- C.D.
My Qualifications
Education
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Northwestern University
Sexual Health Certificate Program - Sex Therapy Track
University of Michigan School of Social Work
Licensures & Certifications
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - NY/NJ/CT/DE + IL
Certified Prepare/Enrich® Premarital Counseling Facilitator