Carolyn Shimabukuro, Director of Spiritual Direction
My Christian faith experience has been significantly shaped by the ministry of spiritual direction. I have found it to be a relationship of grace. In the sacred space of quiet and openness to God, I have the freedom to “be.” It is safe to wonder, express, and seek understanding of self, God, and others.
I have been met by God at a deep and authentic level. Through quiet contemplation I am tending to my soul from which I find myself experiencing greater depth, and responsiveness in my relationship with God. Because of the depth of what I have experienced, I desire that many others might enter into this grace in their relationship with God. I welcome anyone who may desire increased awareness and intimacy with God to enter a spiritual direction relationship as I serve as a listening companion on your journey.
Spiritual Direction Services
Education and Credentials
Ordained Minister through the American Baptist Churches, USA
Pacific Northwest Director of Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society
M. Div. – Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A. - Western Washington University
Certificate in Spiritual Direction - Christian Formation Direction Ministries
I have been met by God at a deep and authentic level. Through quiet contemplation I am tending to my soul from which I find myself experiencing greater depth, and responsiveness in my relationship with God. Because of the depth of what I have experienced, I desire that many others might enter into this grace in their relationship with God. I welcome anyone who may desire increased awareness and intimacy with God to enter a spiritual direction relationship as I serve as a listening companion on your journey.
Spiritual Direction Services
- Individual direction
- Group Spiritual Direction
- Labyrinth Walk
- Prayer days and retreats
- Teaching on spiritual disciplines, i.e. prayer, Sabbath, solitude and silence, lectio divina
Education and Credentials
Ordained Minister through the American Baptist Churches, USA
Pacific Northwest Director of Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society
M. Div. – Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A. - Western Washington University
Certificate in Spiritual Direction - Christian Formation Direction Ministries
Sam Louie, Therapist
Most of my current therapeutic work and interest is in the addiction field, working with individuals, couples, and men's groups. Prior to counseling, I spent more than a decade as an Emmy Award-Winning broadcast journalist where I researched, produced, and reported on a number of stories related to psychotherapy, relationships, and addiction treatment. In addition to working with clients, I enjoy doing seminars about the impact of Asian cultural honor on addictions.
Counseling Specialties
- sexual addictions or compulsive sexual behaviors
- divorce recovery
- men's groups
- co-dedependency
- unhealthy or toxic relationships
Licensed Mental Health Counselor – LMHC in Washington State
Nationally Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Candidate – CSAT-C
M.A. in Clinical Psychology - Azusa Pacific University
B.A. in History - Western Washington University
Rena Chinn, Therapist
Rena studied at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, and has a Masters in Counseling Psychology. Prior to that she also studied business at UCLA (MBA) and Economics at University of California. She has worked as a therapist seeing individuals, couples and families. She believes that over time we become disconnected from our emotions as we defend ourselves in life. As a result, our emotions rule us, resulting in depression, anxiety, out of control anger, and difficulty in relationships. In individual and couples therapy, she helps clients re-connect with the parts of themselves that block being self aware, self accepting, and able to live from an authentic place. She works with clients to help understand the forces causing behaviors and feelings, and offers support as clients learn to better manage stress and work with their emotions. Rena's work is oriented towards attachment theory and a family systems model, but also employs practical behavioral tools and Lifespan Integration. She also uses the therapeutic relationship for insight into how the client operates in the world.
Counseling Specialties
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate – LMHCA in Washington State
Trained in Lifespan Integration
M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
M.B.A. - UCLA
B.A. in Economics and Biochemistry - UCLA
Counseling Specialties
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate – LMHCA in Washington State
Trained in Lifespan Integration
M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
M.B.A. - UCLA
B.A. in Economics and Biochemistry - UCLA
Michael Yu, Therapist
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), certified as a Mental Health Professional (MHP), and a Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS). As a therapist, I especially love working with couples, youth, and families. I believe in a systems approach and have extensive therapeutic experience with children and families in crisis.
Prior to heeding God's call to the therapy field, I worked in private wealth management at Citigroup for fifteen years prior to earning my Masters in Marital & Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary in 2006.
Languages : Mandarin Chinese, English
Counseling Specialties
- couples
- children
- families
- depression
- anxiety
- cultural shame
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor – LMHC in Washington State
Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS)
M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy - Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A. in Business Administration - University of Washington
Sandy Lew Nisperos, Therapist
Whether it is in the areas of personal growth, career, or relationships, I enjoy helping people identify and work towards their goals, With over 20 years of experience in the counseling field, and 10 in education, I approach therapy from an educational perspective. I offer short term counseling that uses concrete steps to achieving good mental health, supporting you with warmth and guidance as you grow and move forward.
I also enjoy working with students who are going through career and life changes using a developmental approach. Another area I am passionate about is helping people develop their multicultural identity.
Finally, I take a holistic approach to encourage and walk with you as you integrate your spiritual and mental health to be what God intended you to be.
Counseling Specialties
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor – LMHC in Washington State
Approved Clinical Supervisor in Washington State
Credentialed Ethnic Minority Specialist -Asian population in Washington State
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology – Colorado State University
M.S. in Counseling Psychology – Colorado State University
B.A in Psychology – University of Southern California
I also enjoy working with students who are going through career and life changes using a developmental approach. Another area I am passionate about is helping people develop their multicultural identity.
Finally, I take a holistic approach to encourage and walk with you as you integrate your spiritual and mental health to be what God intended you to be.
Counseling Specialties
- Multicultural Counseling, Cultural Identity, Cross Generational Issues
- Life Transitions and Development
- Career Change
- Phase of Life Counseling
- Individual Psychotherapy for Adults
- College Student Success Skills
- International Student Success
- Emotional Health
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor – LMHC in Washington State
Approved Clinical Supervisor in Washington State
Credentialed Ethnic Minority Specialist -Asian population in Washington State
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology – Colorado State University
M.S. in Counseling Psychology – Colorado State University
B.A in Psychology – University of Southern California
Chiawen Chen, Therapist
I have 10 years of experience working with diverse populations helping them overcome their life struggles and their relationships in their lives. Using a person-centered and strength-based approach, my passion is to help people to make positive changes in their lives that they desire.
I have a deep sense of compassion and a desire to help people with life transitions such as the journey of immigration, adoption, cultural adjustment, identity crisis, and loss and grief .As an immigrant from Taiwan, I have first-hand experience with cultural adjustment. I am able to provide counseling and consultation services in Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and English,
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington State, Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist, and a Child Mental Health Specialist. I have served as a counselor in Los Angeles and the Seattle area. I worked with diverse populations in college, drug and gang prevention program, tobacco cessation program, disaster relief counseling, and Asian American community mental health agencies.
Languages : Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, English
Counseling Specialties
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor– LMHC in Washington State
M.A. in Counseling Psychology- Seattle University
B.A. in Psychology - University of Washington
I have a deep sense of compassion and a desire to help people with life transitions such as the journey of immigration, adoption, cultural adjustment, identity crisis, and loss and grief .As an immigrant from Taiwan, I have first-hand experience with cultural adjustment. I am able to provide counseling and consultation services in Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and English,
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington State, Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist, and a Child Mental Health Specialist. I have served as a counselor in Los Angeles and the Seattle area. I worked with diverse populations in college, drug and gang prevention program, tobacco cessation program, disaster relief counseling, and Asian American community mental health agencies.
Languages : Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, English
Counseling Specialties
- Stress Management
- Life Transitions
- Adoption
- Relational Issues
- Body Image
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Adjustment Disorder
- Immigrant Transitions
- International students and professionals
- Women's issues
- Children, Teens and Family Relationships
- Christian Perspectives
- Multicultural perspectives
- Children, Adolescents, College students, Adults and families.
Education and Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor– LMHC in Washington State
M.A. in Counseling Psychology- Seattle University
B.A. in Psychology - University of Washington
Janis Higaki, Educator and Administrator
I believe grief is one of the loneliest times in life when no one seems to understand what you're thinking or feeling. It's not easy to talk about your grief even among your friends.
The death of a loved one can completely devastate those left behind yet it's unseen by others. You may be confused by what's happening to you – becoming forgetful, unable to sleep, over-sleeping, difficulty focusing, or feeling as if you want the world to stop turning. And you may be wondering where is God in all of this? Why did he let my loved one die? Am I being punished for something I did or didn't do?
I work best with English speaking adults and young adults.
The death of a loved one can completely devastate those left behind yet it's unseen by others. You may be confused by what's happening to you – becoming forgetful, unable to sleep, over-sleeping, difficulty focusing, or feeling as if you want the world to stop turning. And you may be wondering where is God in all of this? Why did he let my loved one die? Am I being punished for something I did or didn't do?
I work best with English speaking adults and young adults.
