Meet John
Where I stand
I’m a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) who has called Japan home for more than a decade and a half. I've found a niche in my work life that I love doing. Some of it has to do with being an outsider in another culture and finding a place to stand that I feel good about, but it also has to do with getting to lock in on something I care a lot about.
Why I do what I do
I genuinely care about the people I work with, in large part because I’m so fascinated by how we change. To me, the ‘magic’ of a great therapeutic conversation is the collaboration. This looks like taking your experiences and skills, adding my own perspective and training, and charging together at whatever has you feeling stuck. My hope is that you leave our sessions feeling a bit surprised by what we’ve done and hopeful about the possibilities. I’m here to put in the work right alongside you to get you somewhere new.
Who I am away from work
I’m a big fan of the things I can do from the comfort of my couch, whether that’s a good movie, a fiction audiobook or book, or catching a hockey game. That said, I love getting out into the fresh air, particularly when it’s cold or in the early evenings. I value a simple life with friends and family, but I’m also someone who never stays bored for long. I’m always picking up new interests, so in a sense, my hobby is hobbies!
A Note on Inclusivity
I stay very mindful of how the world around us shapes how we feel—including our culture, our history, and our identities. This is especially true for those of us living as expats or immigrants in Japan, where navigating a different culture adds its own layer of complexity.
I’m committed to a space where hospitality and respect are central. Whether you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community or coming from any other walk of life, you are welcome here. Whoever you are and however you identify, I’m here to join you and work alongside you, exactly as you are.
Professional Accountability
Being a therapist is a responsibility I take seriously, which is why I stay connected to professional organizations in both Canada and Japan. I hold a Master of Counselling (MC) and the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). These credentials mean I’ve met national standards for clinical experience and that I answer to a formal Code of Ethics through the CCPA.
Locally, my membership with the International Mental Health Professionals Japan (IMHPJ) ensures I’m also guided by their specific Code of Ethics here in Japan. I value these standards because they keep me accountable to you and to my peers. It’s my way of trying to ensure that as we work toward a warm and collaborative relationship, our conversations stay rooted in a deep commitment to my professional ethics.