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Hello, my name is Ryan Yamamoto, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My main focus in therapy is the client is the expert in his own life, and as the therapist, working to support the client as best as I can in order for them to find their own solutions to their issues. I believe goals and solutions mean so much more to a client when it comes from within themselves.
My approach
I tend to utilize Solution Focused, Rogerian, and CBT modalities but also draw from more family systems theories such as Minuchin, Structural Family Therapy, and Bowen.
My focus
I really enjoy working with college- and young adult-aged clients, helping them through transitions into and out of college. I feel like I have the most experience with this population, having worked with college-aged students even before becoming a therapist. I also feel like I can relate to this population the most, myself being a younger-minded individual.
My communication style
I tend to have a more laid-back tone and approach to therapy. Since I often work with young adults and older teens, I feel like it helps to adopt a casual tone and lingo to help better connect and align with them, almost as a friend would.
My journey to mental healthcare
During college, I became very involved in my Christian campus club and would later volunteer and work for this organization. I invested a lot into supporting college-aged students and, in a sense, providing therapy for these students navigating their college careers. Around the time I was wrapping up with the organization, I began exploring similar careers to campus ministry and supporting others, and many of my colleagues suggested looking into Marriage and Family Therapy.
My goals for you
I tend to defer to the client for goal setting, but won't shy away from making suggestions if they become stuck or are unable to come up with their own goals. I also like to set small, more obtainable goals, similar to SMART goals.
My first session with you
Clients should expect a genuine level of curiosity from me, though I make it very explicit that none of my questions come from a place of judgment. I also do my best to validate client's experiences and emotions knowing that much of what they share in the initial session might be difficult and reopening old wounds.
