About Counseling
- What kind of concerns we would like you to bring, what methods are used in counseling, etc. -
Have you ever received counseling or therapy before?
You might be feeling nervous, wondering,
It’s natural to feel nervous about sharing personal matters with a counselor/therapist you’ve never met before. Please relax and feel at ease when you come to the online counseling room.
Your Counselor
Ai Shimamura
Bilingual Grief Care Counselor
Intercultural Mentor
Individual Counseling
What concerns do you currently have?
By talking about your concerns in your own words, you can organize your thoughts, identify the causes, and find hints for solutions. Even if your concerns do not fit the examples below or you are unsure of what your concerns are, please share your feelings with the counselor during the initial counseling session.
- Concerns about living in Japan or abroad: school, work, human relationships, Japanese language, Japanese culture, communication, etc.
- Grief (loss) experiences, such as the death of a loved one, pet loss, divorce, breakups in romantic relationships, miscarriage/stillbirth, unemployment, illness, the loss of goals or purpose, etc.
- Relationship concerns, such as family relationships, marital relationships, partnerships, romantic relationships, workplace relationships, friendships, etc.
- Anxiety
- Panic
- School refusal, social withdrawal
- Characteristics and coping strategies for developmental disorders, such as ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Characteristics and coping methods for HSC (Highly Sensitive Child) and HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)
We will determine the date and time of the initial counseling session based on your preferred date and time, and our availability. When making the reservation, you will be asked to provide your name, email address, phone number, date of birth, and topics/concerns you wish to discuss during the counseling sessions.
Prior to your initial counseling session, you will be asked to read and sign a consent form. Once that is completed, you can make the payment to finalize your booking.
- The counselor will listen to topics including:
- concerns you wish to discuss during counseling sessions
- medical history
- developmental history
- family relationships
- your expectations for counseling
- Based on the information kindly provided by you, the counselor will explain and propose ideas that can be immediately incorporated into your daily life, as well as the benefits and frequency of ongoing counseling sessions.
- We will discuss any topics not covered in the initial counseling session, confirm your feelings, and consider future strategies together.
- The counselor will provide further detailed explanations and proposals regarding the counseling process. If you decide to continue, we will proceed to the next ongoing counseling session.
- For approximately 10 minutes at the end of each session, we will discuss the summary and plans for the next session together.
- Duration and frequency of ongoing counseling sessions may vary depending on the medical history and difficulty of the issue, so we may adjust the plan while confirming your feelings. Please feel free to consult with the counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
1. Once the issue has been resolved or the symptoms have improved to the point where you can manage on your own, we will schedule the final session date/time and discuss plans for the remaining counseling sessions.
2. If you wish to consult again after counseling has ended, please feel free to contact us.
- We will determine the date and time of the initial therapy session based on your preferred date and time, and our availability.
- When making the reservation, you will be asked to provide each of your name, email address, phone number, date of birth, and issues related to your relationship with your partner that you wish to discuss during the couples therapy.
Prior to your initial therapy session, you will be asked to read and sign a consent form. Once that is completed, you can make the payment to finalize your booking.
First, we will conduct one 50-minute individual session for each partner, creating an environment where you can speak freely without hesitation, mindful of your partner's presence and feelings.
The counselor will listen to each of you individually about topics including:
- issues you wish to discuss regarding your relationship with your partner
- confirmation of your willingness to improve your relationship
- your expectations for couples therapy
After listening to each of your stories, the counselor will:
- Determine whether both of you are on the same page (desiring to improve the relationship).
- Identify the issues (e.g., intimacy, jealousy, trauma, communication, sexual difficulties, etc.).
- Set therapy goals.
- Establish a therapy plan aimed at improving the relationship and resolving issues.
Based on the content of the initial therapy session, if it is confirmed that both of you wish to improve your relationship and are willing to work on it positively:
We recommend that both of you participate in couples sessions at the same time.
If one or both of you are still unsure and not ready to participate in couples sessions:
We recommend continuing with individual sessions to secure a safe space and time to hear your thoughts privately.
We will discuss the timing, including whether it is appropriate to proceed with joint couples sessions, while confirming the clients' feelings.
Once both partners are ready to participate in couples sessions:
- The counselor will propose the issues between the couple, therapy goals, and a plan customized specifically for the couple.
- We will delve into each partner's emotions and values regarding the issues, their thoughts they wish to convey to their partner, family structure, and upbringing, etc.
- After sharing each other's feelings, we will conduct exercises in each session to improve the relationship. The couple will deepen their understanding of each other and acquire effective communication methods and problem-solving skills.
- The counselor will encourage the couple to apply to their daily lives what they have learned in therapy and assignments outside of sessions.
- For approximately 10 minutes at the end of each session, we will discuss the summary and plans for the next session together.
- Duration and frequency of ongoing counseling sessions may vary depending on the complexity of the issues, so we may adjust the plan while confirming your feelings. Please feel free to consult with the counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
- After joint couples sessions begin, individual sessions can also be continued simultaneously according to the clients' wishes.
- Once the issues have been resolved, the relationship has improved, and you are able to handle situations smoothly together, we will schedule the final session date/time and discuss plans for the remaining therapy sessions.
- If you wish to consult again after couples therapy has ended, please feel free to contact us.
Counseling Service Agreement
Before making a reservation or payment on our official app, we kindly ask you to review the following information and provide your consent and signature within the app.
Counseling Service Agreement
By signing this agreement, you consent to the following terms for counseling services
provided by Explore Translation, Inc (hereinafter “the Company”).
1. Service Description
Counseling provided by the Company is intended for psychological support and guidance.
It does not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment.
You may be referred to medical or specialized institutions if necessary.
2. Fees and Payment Method (Same rates for Individual and Couples sessions )
Session Type (Tax included)
Single session (60 min) ¥7,700 + fees -
Single session（100 mins） ¥12,100 + fees -
3-session ticket (60 mins) ¥21,450 + fees (Valid for 2 months)
5-session ticket (60 mins) ¥34,650 + fees (Valid for 3 months)
3-session ticket (100 mins) ¥34,650 + fees (Valid for 2 months)
5-session ticket (100 mins) ¥56,650 + fees (Valid for 3 months)
*Please note that the listed prices do not include transaction service fees and taxes. These additional costs will be automatically added to your total at check-out.
Payment Method
In-app payment (full payment required upon booking)
3. Cancellation Policy (Credit System)
No cash refunds will be issued for client cancellations; instead, the amount will be credited
to your account for use in future sessions or other services we provide within the app.
If a session is canceled by the Company, you may choose between a cash refund or credit.
If you are unable to connect due to your own internet or device issues, no refund or credit
will be issued.
Cancellation Fees
Same-day cancellation: 100%
By 12:00 noon the day before: 75%
By 12:00 noon two days before: 50%
Earlier than this: Full credit (no cash refund)
4. Couples Therapy Requirement
For couples therapy, each partner must first book and attend one 60-minute or 100-minute individual session.
After these sessions, the counselor will review both parties’ intentions and circumstances, and advise whether to proceed with joint couples’ sessions. After joint couples’ sessions begin, individual sessions can also be continued simultaneously according to the clients' wishes.
5. Confidentiality
The counselor will not disclose any personal information or session content without your consent.
Exceptions to confidentiality include:
Serious risk to your life/safety or that of others;
Legal obligation to disclose;
Need to coordinate with other professionals or for insurance purposes; and
Suspected abuse
6. Record Management
Session records will be securely stored for 5 years and destroyed thereafter.
Access is limited to the counselor and the Company.
7. Recording / Summary Tools
If recording or summary tools are used, the purpose and retention period will be explained in advance and your consent will be obtained.
If you do not consent, no recording will be made.
8. Disclaimer
The Company and the counselor are not responsible for any mental, physical, or economic damages arising from the use of the service.
Signature Section
Name: _______________________
Signature: _______________________
Date: ____ / __ / __