Inspiring Conversations with Yuki Shida of Therapy With Yuki

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuki Shida.

Hi Yuki, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story is deeply rooted in my experience as a woman of color navigating different identifies and cultures. I am a second-generation Japanese American with Japanese being my first language. I grew up in a home with a single mother, where I was the eldest daughter. I was constantly navigating the space between two different cultural worlds and often conflicting expectations that came with them. That firsthand experience of duality, of feeling like you’re caught between two worlds, is what ultimately became the fuel for my passion as a therapist. Because of this unique lens, I can connect with people who feel overlooked or who are carrying the weight of generational or cultural expectations.

I’ve been a practicing therapist for over 8 years now, and honestly, I love what I do. Early on, I picked up on the fact that so much of our current struggle is connected to our past experiences, which led me to dive deep into trauma work. That’s why I pursued specialized training and became EMDR Certified by EMDRIA.

Today, I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and group practice owner in Irvine, California, treating individuals and families throughout the state. My primary passion is working with Asian American adults and children of immigrants who are dealing with anxiety, childhood trauma, and relational stress.

At the heart of my practice is one core belief: there is nothing too far gone, too far broken, that you cannot heal from. My journey taught me the power of embracing your authenticity, and now I get to walk alongside others as they discover that power for themselves.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have had my fair share of obstacles and challenges to get to this point in my career today.

One of the biggest obstacles was my own mindset. As a woman of color and child of immigrants, I was raised navigating two very different cultures and never knowing where I truly belonged. I struggled to find places where I felt truly seen and heard. I had to overcome my fear of rejection and people-pleasing and learn to put myself first. Communities of color still hold a lot of stigma and suspicion towards mental health treatment, though it has been improving in recent years. I have faced skepticism and felt looked down upon for choosing this path in my career. This personal experience is why I am now so passionate about working with other Asian American children of immigrants who carry that same weight of cultural and familial pressure, anxiety, and guilt.

My most recent struggle was starting my entrepreneurship and opening my own group practice. I learned that owning a group practice so much more than being a good therapist. I had to learn how to manage the business side which they did not teach in graduate school! My imposter syndrome can take over sometimes and I have thoughts like, “Why did you ever think you could do this?” or “You’re going to make a fool of yourself!” What keeps me going is that the majority of group practice owners and mentors are not Asian American women. If I can help one more individual feel empowered in their unique identity, all this would be worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Therapy With Yuki?
We are a therapy group practice located in Irvine, CA and virtually throughout California. Our practice is dedicated to providing anti-oppressive and affirming therapy. We offer individual, couples, family, and teen therapy. We are specifically known for our expertise in serving the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community in California.

Our core specialties include:

-Anxiety and managing stress.

-Trauma and PTSD, including Complex PTSD and Generational Trauma.

-Couples, Marriage, and Premarital Counseling, utilizing methods like the Gottman Method.

-Multicultural Identity and navigating racial issues.

-Women’s Issues and managing life transitions.

-Faith-based Therapy for clients who wish to integrate their spiritual beliefs into their healing process.

What truly sets our practice apart is our focus on EMDR Therapy with Cultural Nuance.

We have personal, lived experience navigating cultural expectations and feel that we understand what it’s like to feel “othered, dismissed, and invalidated.” We bring that cultural context into every session.

We specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, which is an evidence-based approach we use to help the brain process and heal from trauma, anxiety, and painful memories. I am an EMDR Certified therapist and a proponent of using EMDR to help clients create fast, lasting results.

What We Are Most Proud Of

I am most proud of creating a space where clients are not just given coping skills, but are deeply seen and understood. My belief is that every client’s perceived shame and struggle are actually badges of honor and courage. Our mission is to help clients truly internalize the idea that no matter their past or current circumstances, they deserve to experience life richly and fully; they are in the driver’s seat of their mental health and their life.

Important Takeaways for Readers

We want your readers to know that:

-Healing is possible. Just like your body knows how to heal from a cut, your brain knows how to heal its wounds.

-We welcome your whole self. We are dedicated to providing a space that honors your unique background and identity.

-We accept insurance. We are in-network with Cigna, Optum, Aetna, and Modern Health.

-We offer both in-person and secure virtual sessions throughout California to ensure accessibility.

How do you define success?
Success, from my perspective, is not defined by external achievements like income or status. It’s a deep, internal state that integrates psychological well-being with relational health. I define true success as contentment cultivated through authentic living and reaching one’s potential, as understood through a holistic, relational lens. When you can show up fully as yourself, for yourself, and for others, and you have economic stability, that is success. I wish for my clients to see success as the moment they look inward and genuinely say, “This is me, and I am enough.”

Pricing:

• Therapy Sessions $130 – $200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therapywithyuki.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_with_yuki/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuki-shida-379489b/

Image Credits
Coyprint, Taylor Ramsey