A testimonial from a female client in her 30s.
What kind of concerns or issues were you struggling with before receiving Tatsuya's therapy?
My biggest issue was my relationship with my father and brother. Grieving the loss of my mother, struggling with my relationship with my father and brother, and being overwhelmed by anxiety about the future caused me to constantly be weighed down by worries and fears in my daily life. These stresses, combined with my tendency to be overly harsh on myself, led to a significant decline in my physical and mental health.
How did Tatsuya's therapy help improve your situation?
The most notable improvement through therapy has been that I’ve become more confident in expressing my opinions in daily life. While there are still moments when I struggle to voice my thoughts, at least now I can acknowledge and accept my own feelings and opinions. This change came through every therapy session, where I had the opportunity to speak about my emotions and thoughts, and receive validation.
Additionally, I realized that I have a tendency to interpret situations negatively, even when the facts are different. I also learned that feeling anxious is natural, but that not staying trapped in anxiety is what can ultimately save me.
What was your impression of therapy before and after?
Before I started therapy, I thought it was something special that only people in hospitals needed to do. I was also worried about online sessions. However, Mr. Arakawa fully engages with me, and it feels as if we are having an in-person conversation. Even when I would worry that the topics I was bringing up were trivial, I always felt reassured by the fact that I was heard and supported. I believe that therapy, no matter the situation, is always effective.
What did you like about the therapist?
Mr. Arakawa has a broad range of expertise that helped me face the deeper aspects of my concerns. He also teaches me ways to cope when dealing with challenges or intense anxiety, tailoring the advice to suit for me. When I make progress, Mr. Arakawa praises me wholeheartedly, which makes me feel accomplished and boosts my confidence. In each session, I can feel Mr. Arakawa’s genuine intention to support me—not just from an expert’s perspective, but with sincere empathy. This is why I feel comfortable sharing even my deepest, most difficult thoughts, and I can approach each session with a sense of security.
Who would you recommend the therapist to?
I would recommend it to anyone who feels that they have to solve everything on their own, or to those struggling with anxiety. It might be difficult to start therapy, but spending time alone with your worries can be painful. I encourage anyone to try it without thinking of it as something too high of a barrier.