Hello, my name is Chisato Horikawa (she/her). I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington State (License# LW61471018).
Born and raised in Japan, I came to the U.S. in my late 20s to attend an MSW (master of social work) program at LIU Post in New York State. During my internship and upon graduation, I worked with survivors of gender-based violence and children who witnessed family violence, individuals and families who had financial struggles, and the elderly. I am passionate about helping people heal from trauma and preventing any kind of violence against vulnerable populations. I moved to Seattle in 2019 to enjoy the beauty of nature (and to be a little bit closer to Japan). After moving to Seattle, I worked at a community mental health clinic to serve wider populations for a variety of clinical issues, including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, body dysmorphia, and more.
Growing up in Japan, not only had I not learned about mental health care, but I also did not know how to ask for help. When I was a child, I was very angry and took my anger out on people around me. At the time, I knew I was angry but what I did not know until much later was that I was angry at myself. I was angry because I was nothing and would never be good enough. I thought it was just like my name – a lot of Japanese names have certain meanings or the characters express its meanings, but I didn’t figure out if my name meant anything. I’m nothing important, just like Chisato means nothing. I did not know how to properly deal with all the frustration, stress, and challenges associated with life’s changes.
My story
Luckily, I had many supportive friends and gradually, slowly, I was able to learn how to take care of myself. As an adult, I came to the U.S. to find my true self. I have always been interested in learning about different cultures and languages. While attending school and working in New York City, I met many people from various cultures. Throughout my time there, I still did not like my name so much because I thought it was really hard to pronounce, especially for non-Japanese people. Then I started learning Mandarin as I had a deep interest in their culture and food. It was then that I found out that the Chinese characters of my first name “Chisato” actually means “Inner Wisdom.” That was the moment when I realized I was not nothing, I was inner wisdom!
It took a long time for me to realize that I have inner wisdom, inner strengths, and the power to heal myself. I had always wished to have someone who would listen to me and help me find my strengths in my childhood. If I were able to find my voice at an earlier age, my life now may have been different. From my own experiences, I know that challenges and trauma experienced in childhood can be a deep root of other issues if not dealt with properly. Dealing with those issues in adulthood can be more complicated, like tangled roots. But it is never too late to learn how to untangle them, and I am here to provide a safe, non-judgmental space to listen to you.
I identify myself as an LGBTQIA+ ally, person-of-color, immigrant, and cats’ mom. In my spare time, I enjoy playing with my cats, learning Mandarin, and watching TV shows. My favorite shows and anime include: Glee, Atypical, Queer Eye, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Attack on Titan.
My Approach
I see counseling and psychotherapy as a collaborative process where you and I take this journey together to learn more about yourself. I am a firm believer that everyone has inner strengths and wisdom. We sometimes do not know how to connect to them, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed. I’m here to support you to find new ways to reconnect you to your inner wisdom and strengths.
I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all therapy. I will take time to understand your history and background to help you reach your goals. I integrate various treatment approaches (Person-Centered Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), etc.) with other creative, nontraditional methods.
Professional Credentials
Licensure
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington state (LW61471018).
Post graduate training (selected)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Medical University of South Carolina
CBT+ Learning Collaborative with Harborview Abuse & Treatment Center
DBT Skills for DV Advocates with Portland DBT Institute
Education
Master of Social Work, LIU (Long Island University) Post