Beyond the Struggle
"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer."
— Albert Camus —
You may seem to be doing well on the outside.
Yet inside, something may still feel unsettled, or hard to name.
Where there is light, there is also shadow.
What if the parts of yourself you have hidden away
are carrying a voice that has not yet been heard?
Your scars are not only memories of pain.
They are also traces of how hard you have worked to survive.
What if feeling out of place
does not mean that something is wrong with you?
What if, in the places and relationships that shaped you,
it was difficult to fully be yourself?
The stuckness or discomfort you feel now
is not a sign that you are broken.
It may be an inner signal,
inviting you to reconnect with who you are.
This is not a place where you need to be “fixed.”
It is a space where you can set down the armor and masks you have learned to wear, and gently listen to the voice beneath your discomfort.
That voice may come through as anxiety, anger, sadness, shame, loneliness, or even numbness, the feeling of not feeling anything at all.
Together, we can move toward what you could not reach alone and begin to reconnect with who you truly are.
About Me
Yoshimi Shimizu (she/her), LMHC
Licenses & Certifications
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor, New York State (#011728)
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Certified Clinical Psychologist, Japan (#23554）
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Certified Public Psychologist, Japan（#19889）
Education & Advanced Clinical Training
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M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Ritsumeikan University (Japan)
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Graduate-level coursework in mental health counseling at Long Island University (New York), completed to meet NY State licensing requirements
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Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program, Metropolitan Institute for Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (MITPP)
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2-Year Certification in Focusing-Oriented Therapy, The International Focusing Institute (TIFI)
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AEDP® Institute: Immersion, Essential Skills, Advanced Skills, Experiential Group Assistant
I believe therapy is not about fixing you. It’s about softening, listening, and reconnecting with yourself, with what matters, and with the wisdom that has always been there.
I’m Yoshimi Shimizu (she/her), a licensed psychotherapist with a quiet, body-based approach to emotional healing. I specialize in working with sensitive, thoughtful adults, many of whom feel overwhelmed, anxious, or quietly hard on themselves. Some feel they don’t quite belong, or carry emotional wounds that words alone can’t reach.
In our sessions, we slow down. Together, we gently shift from talking about emotions to experiencing them in the body, listening to what each feeling is trying to express. This process, grounded in Focusing and AEDP®, supports emotional clarity, self-compassion, and a deeper sense of inner ease.
While my graduate training began in Japan, I completed additional coursework in New York to meet state licensing requirements and have since built a private practice rooted in both Eastern and Western perspectives on healing.
Having navigated the complexities of cultural adjustment and the quiet pressure to fit in after immigrating to the U.S., I deeply understand the tension between honoring where you come from and finding your own voice. I bring warmth, humility, and deep respect for each person’s pace, knowing that true healing happens when we feel safe enough to make space for our full experience, without having to choose between cultures.
This is why I pay close attention not only to symptoms, but also to the ways you have learned to protect yourself, the places where you may have lost touch with yourself, and what helps you return to a more grounded sense of who you are.
I began offering emotional support as a hotline advocate at Womankind, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence. That experience deepened my commitment to clinical work. Since then, I’ve worked in outpatient clinics and group private practices, serving people from diverse racial, cultural, and gender identities.
Today, in addition to individual therapy, I provide supervision for clinicians as an AEDP® Supervisor-in-Training and offer professional training in both English and Japanese.
I currently serve as an experiential assistant in AEDP® Institute courses and have been involved in programs through AEDP® for Japan. My past facilitation experience also includes workshops with the North Jersey Focusing Trainers (NJFT).
Whether you're feeling stuck, unsure of how to express yourself, or simply longing to feel more connected, you don’t have to do it alone. Therapy can be a space to come home to yourself.
Areas of Works
I work with adults who are:
– struggling with social anxiety or a quiet fear of being seen or judged
– overwhelmed by self-criticism and the pressure to get things right
– carrying unspoken shame, sadness, or emotional wounds from the past
– feeling the weight of intergenerational patterns or the pressure to be the “good child”
– navigating the tension between family expectations, cultural values, and your own authentic needs
– able to adapt to others, yet unsure of what you truly want or need
– repeating the same relationship patterns, even when you understand them intellectually
I often support individuals who find it difficult to speak up, ask for help, or feel safe taking up space.
My work is grounded in deep listening, relational safety, and cultural sensitivity, especially for those who have felt like outsiders, even in familiar spaces.
For Therapists: I also offer clinical supervision and experiential workshops internationally for therapists looking to deepen their practice in Focusing and AEDP® psychotherapy.
My Approach
Somatic and Experiential Therapy for Inner Safety, Emotional Healing, and Self-Connection
I believe we each carry quiet wisdom and resilience deep inside—sometimes hidden beneath layers of fear, stress, or self-judgment. In therapy, we’ll gently uncover and nurture those inner resources, at a pace that feels safe for you.
I am not here to tell you what to do or "fix" you. Instead, I work as a partner to help you listen to your own body's wisdom.
Starting Where You Are While my approach is body-centered, we often start simply by talking. We honor your thoughts, your stories, and the way you make sense of your world.
You don’t have to jump into deep feelings or body sensations right away. We move at your pace—sometimes exploring through images or metaphors first, and only deepening into the body when it feels truly safe and right for you. We might start by noticing small moments of calm, or simply acknowledging what feels true in the moment. You don’t have to do this alone or get it “right.”
Deepening the Connection Some sensations—like fear, tension, or heaviness—can feel intense or unfamiliar. If they arise, we’ll meet them together, with care and support, and return to safety whenever needed.
As emotions like sadness, anger, or joy arise in our sessions, you may begin by talking about them—sharing the story or thought behind the feeling. From there, I gently guide us to notice how those emotions live in your body. With time and care, this shift from talking to feeling helps deepen your connection to yourself.
You might begin to notice small changes—more space, ease, or calm. These moments gently become the foundation for a stronger sense of self, clarity, and well-being.
Welcoming All Parts of You You may notice that different parts of you hold conflicting feelings—for example, one part may feel angry, while another quietly says, “You shouldn’t feel that way.” Instead of rejecting those voices, we’ll learn to listen with care and curiosity. Each part of you has something to say, and every part belongs.
This process, repeated with gentleness and patience, helps build self-trust, soften self-criticism, and reconnect with your inner strength. Over time, many clients begin to feel more centered, more at peace, and more connected to who they truly are.
Integration I integrate Focusing and AEDP® psychotherapy—gentle, experiential ways of working that connect body, emotion, and relationship.
My goal is not only to help ease symptoms like anxiety or depression, but also to support you in living more fully—and arriving at a place where you can embrace your whole self with kindness, and say with quiet confidence: “This is me.”
Free Initial Consultation
I offer a free 20-minute consultation.
This is a time for us to briefly discuss what brings you here, what you hope to gain from therapy, and whether my approach feels like a good fit.
It is simply a space for both of us to get a sense of whether working together would be appropriate.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to schedule a consultation.
About Sessions
I work with adult individuals (18+). Sessions are typically held on a weekly basis and are 45–50 or 60 minutes long.
Before your first session, you will be asked to complete an initial registration form and consent documents.
Cancellation Policy
Insurance & Reimbursement
I am an out-of-network provider. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health or behavioral health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement.
Our billing manager can provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company. If you’re unsure about your coverage, we’re happy to help you check your benefits. Please feel free to contact us for assistance.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify me at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee, as insurance does not cover missed sessions.
Sliding Scale
Sliding scale rates are available for clients attending weekly sessions and paying fully or partially out of pocket. Availability is limited and based on financial need. If you’d like to inquire, we can discuss this during your initial consultation.
Fees & Payment
Session fees are:
• $250 for a 45-50-minute session
• $300 for a 60-minute session
I understand that therapy is a meaningful commitment of time, energy, and financial resources. Sliding scale options are available for weekly clients paying out of pocket.
Payment is accepted via Venmo, Zelle, and credit cards, including HSA/FSA cards.
No transaction fees apply to Venmo or Zelle. A 3% processing fee applies to credit card payments.
Free Initial Consultation
I offer a free 20-minute consultation.
This is a time for us to briefly discuss what brings you here, what you hope to gain from therapy, and whether my approach feels like a good fit.
It is simply a space for both of us to get a sense of whether working together would be appropriate.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to schedule a consultation.
Access
Office Address: 225 Broadway #1570, New York, NY 10007
Email: info@yoshimi-shimizu.com
Phone: +1 (201) 474-2044
*To get in touch with me, please reach out via email or use the inquiry form provided below. Kindly note that my availability to respond to phone calls may be limited.
Contact Me
An initial consultation is provided for free. If you have a question,
drop me a note through the contact form below.