Dr Misa Tsuruta

Certified Public Psychologist

Verified

“A bilingual practice near Shinjuku, Tokyo by an experienced psychologist. I specialize in anxiety, romantic/intimate relationship including LGBTQ+, work/career issues, cultural adjustment and the effects of trauma. I have worked with individuals with various cultural/racial backgrounds. I don`t offer trial sessions.”

About Me

I am a Registered Clinical Psychologist practicing in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. My education/training backgrounds are largely in New York. I help you cope with abuse survivors, anxiety, cross-cultural stress, LGBTQI+ concerns, and life transitions. I provide individual psychodynamic/eclectice therapy, couples therapy and corporate workshops.

Approach

My basic thinking is psychodynamic but I am not Freudian/classic. I have been hugely influenced by NYC psychology culture, where I studied my Master`s and Doctoral degrees in psychology. Major influences include Sullivanian (interpersonal school), Kohutian (self psychology), object relations and relational. Having said that, I tend to work flexibly drawing from cognitive-behavioral or mindfulness techniques as well as working with dreams, too. The approach is not of a doctrine nature but tailored to individuals so that the work is done more effectively and profoundly. I also studied cultural psychology and take cultural/social influences on people into account.

Contact Misa

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Tokyo, Japan

In-person & Online

Services

Do you sometimes have hints that your childhood experiences are affecting your current life as an adult? As a psychodynamically-oriented therapist, I can help you make connections among different aspects of life/mind and work through difficult feelings. I am passionate about maximizing your potential despite your setbacks and negative past experiences. In New York and Tokyo, I have worked with people from various cultural/ethnic backgrounds. I also tend to work well with creative/artistic individuals (as I have backgrounds in dance and art-making).

Services Offered:

Corporate Workshops
Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.
Wellness Support
Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.
Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
Trauma Counselling
Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.
Learn more about Trauma Counselling
Online Counselling
Counselling conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging, providing professional support remotely.
Learn more about Online Counselling
Relationship Counselling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

Works With:

Organisations
Parents
Adults
Adolescents
Couples

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Grief & Loss
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.
Learn more about Grief & Loss
Cross-Cultural
The psychological challenges of living between two or more cultures, including identity conflicts, acculturation stress, and difficulties with belonging.
LGBTQI+ Support
The unique psychological experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, including identity exploration, coming out, discrimination, minority stress, and relationship dynamics.
Trauma
The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Learn more about Trauma
Women's Issues
Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.
Stress / Burnout
The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).
Learn more about Stress / Burnout
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues
Relocation / Expat
The psychological challenges of moving to a new country or city, including loneliness, culture shock, identity shifts, and loss of social support.
Learn more about Relocation / Expat

Professional Title:

Certified Public Psychologist
A psychologist certified to provide psychological services to the public in their jurisdiction.

Credentials

Registrations

International Association for the Study of Dreams

The Japanese Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Konin Shinrishi Shiken Kenshu Center

Certified Public Psychologist

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cognitive, Social and Developmental Psychology

The New School for Social Research

Year: 2016

Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

New York University, School of Education

Year: 2000

Bachelor of Law with concentration in International Relations

Hitotsubashi University

Year: 1991

Master of Arts in General Psychology

New School University

Year: 2004

Certified Public Psychologist (Konin Shinrishi)

Japan Center for Certified Public Psychologist

Year: 2023

Service Areas

Openmind Psychology

In-person & Online

Shibuya-ku

Tokyo, Tokyo

Japan

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan