About Me
Hi! I am Reina Fuita (Reina, She/Her)
Contemplative Somatic Psychotherapist & Life Coach
(Sessions are held in English or Japanese)
My Story
My fascination with the human mind and experience all started at the age of 5, when my classmates started bullying me (and didn’t stop until I was 13). At the same time, my relationship with my mother deteriorated, leaving me feeling hurt, alone, and as if there was something inherently “wrong” with me. Shame took over, and, before long, I resorted to self-punishment, cutting, and even attempted suicide. Desperate for insights about my inner landscape and family dynamics, I started to immerse myself in psychology, spirituality, and other healing texts,
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As I made my way through my 20s, struggling to fit in among Japanese culture, I began to question my purpose in life. I couldn’t get rid of this nagging feeling that I was subconsciously supressing some greater part of myself. Fueled by the insights and guidance I received from my personal studies, I decided to leave everything to pursue a psychotherapy career in the US.
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Yes, this drastically changed my life for the better, but it also unlocked an entirely new set of challenges: navigating the world of Western psychology as an Asian womyn.
There was no cultural nuance; nothing that validated my unique experience. This pushed to me start learning about systems of oppression for the first time. Not seeing any of this reflected in my studies, a part of me continued to feel alienated and unseen. It wasn’t until I discovered meditation and Buddhism (in the US, even though I grew up in Japan!) that I finally received some much-needed clarity.
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To dive deeper into this wisdom, I pursued a master’s at the only US highly experiential program where honors and weaves Buddhist philosophy into Western counseling psychology, where I started channeling my passion into social justice. My mindfulness teachings inspired me to devote myself to decolonizing various “-isms,” offering me a newfound perspective on my own life, traumas, and family history, including areas where I hold certain privileges. It has empowered me to confront and dismantle oppressive systems, fostering a more inclusive and equitable world. With this personal experience, I have felt more certain that taking an intersectional approach is vital when working with multicultural individuals unlock their true potentials.
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Over time, I was able to feel immense gratitude for my parents, lineages, and cultures that I once felt ashamed of. I looked back on all my painful experiences, my inner child, and anyone who had done me harm with peace, love, and acceptance. And, for the first time in my life, I felt free; I felt it was safe to be me.
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Now, I get to live beyond the confines of cultural and societal norms that didn’t serve me while appreciating the beauty and abundance of different cultures—younger me could have never imagined feeling this way! This entire journey also gave me valuable insights on co-parenting my multiracial, multilingual, and multicultural children.
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Today, I embrace my identity as a Japanese therapist and draw upon my unique background to take journeys with individuals unleash their most authentic selves and potentials by honoring the full scope of their lived experience.
My Why
As an immigrant from Japan and highly sensitive person (HSP), I get how conventional psychotherapy and coaching can leave you feeling unseen and unheard. I have lived through a childhood with toxic parents and felt suffocated by cultural expectations. I know that to truly heal and meet your most resilient, joyous, and compassionate self, you need a practitioner that addresses intergenerational trauma while helping you navigating the complexities of your place in culture and society. Everything I have done in my life has led me here—to be your guide, making sure that you have the resources you need to heal from past wounds and feel less alone. I am here to help you Be Radically You.
