kitsune 狐

Hi! I’m Yumiko and it’s good to meet you.

I am Japanese Canadian born and raised on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musquem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. As an adult, I moved to Vancouver Island, and currently reside as a guest on Coast Salish territories.

As a First Generation child to immigrant parents, I learned to be self-sufficient early on in life. I found myself put in positions I wasn’t ready for, like interpreting legal documents or attending medical appointments as a translator for my whole family. It was difficult to witness my parents’ vulnerability in a society where they were invisible. It pained me to see them struggle. As a child and teen, I really struggled with trying to understand what it means to be bicultural. I never felt that I could be authentically me, while still loving both cultures. Experiences with racism caused me to internalize the belief that I had to give up parts of my identity to blend into the dominant culture. These early experiences fuel my drive to provide anti-racist, trauma-responsive care for my clients. I have lived experience dancing between two cultures, two languages, and two identities that don’t fit into any binary labels.

I’ve worked in the field of Infant Development for the last 18 years, 6 of those years working in Coast Salish First Nation communities. This is where my passion for understanding how early childhood experiences (Infant Mental Health) shape the development of the Self and how we see the world. These experiences have shaped how I work with the brain, body, emotions, and thoughts to support mental wellness. A deep understanding of early child development has provided many insights about the significance of healing in relationship with a caring and attuned person. I continue to be passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults.

I’m deeply committed to providing a safe, warm space for emotional exploration, growth, and healing.