Takako Ainsworth, MSW, LCSW, SP
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LIC: 29328)
Psychotherapist
Sandplay Practitioner
Treatment Approach
My practice focuses on individual psychotherapy with adults. I integrate several short and long-term treatment approaches with a focus on Jungian Depth Psychotherapy. Clients in my practice often describe feelings lost, stuck, empty, anxious and confused. Their pace of life continues to speed up. They are often overwhelmed by the daily influx of information that technology brings. These forces can make the process of finding one’s truth and taking care of one’s own best interests a challenge.
Some come to therapy to seek relief and answers to difficult situations and questions they are grappling with that have roots from the past. Traumatic experience is often buried in the deep psyche and in the body, and can show up in relationship conflicts, work problems, and through somatic symptoms such as physical pain or persistent illness. Therapy can be a key to unlocking and rediscovering hidden resources within to work through emotional pain and find new pathways towards one’s authentic self.
Some also come to my practice with challenges experiencing and expressing their emotions. While the increased use of technology to communicate helps some feel closer, others feel they are losing true connections with others. I strive to hold a safe, warm, and non-judgmental space in therapy so that we may slow down and work through these difficult times together. Both tears and laughter can evolve from our work.
Experience
My background is rooted in years of work in hospice and palliative care settings. I have worked with patients who have a chronic or terminal illness. I also have extensive experience helping individuals and families cope with the difficulties and opportunities that loss brings. Work with the dying taught me the greatest gift we can give each other is genuine presence.
My specialty in grief and loss issues led to some teaching opportunities including speaking professionally at San Diego State University and other community organizations. I see grief and loss as a normal part of development across the life span.
I feel that symbols and images can bring us to deeper level of understanding ourselves, and find that dream work and Sandplay Therapy can be helpful to the therapy process. I am registered as a Sandplay Practitioner with Sandplay Therapists of America, and continue to receive advanced training and consultation in this modality.
Cross-Cultural
Cultural and generational gaps can arise as individuals try to assert their unique identity when facing difference and dissonance amidst family and cultural expectations. I am a bilingual therapist (Japanese and English) and have experience and enjoy working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds. I have experienced assimilation into different cultures firsthand as a result of multiple moves throughout my life. I was born in Japan and also lived in Europe.
Professional Affiliation
- Sandplay Practitioner of the Sandplay Therapists of America (STA)
- Board Member of Northern California Regional Sandplay Society (NCRSS)
- Member of National Association of Social Work (NASW)
Contact
Tel: 415-712-8694