About Me
My touchstone is authenticity. I strive for integration and wholeness in my work and personal life. This means I try to refrain from wearing the mask of the “expert” at work. And in my daily life, I value activities that encourage a balanced awareness of body, mind, and spirit.
In a fast-paced society that pushes us to do more, I am an anomaly. I believe the true beauty of life can only be experienced by slowing down and cultivating mindfulness. In those fleeting moments of being more fully aware, I find a freedom that inspires me to reach for being “present” rather than “impressive.”
I believe that we are constantly evolving. I continually learn from traditional academic sources, from spiritual experiences, and from chance conversations. I try to orient myself to the world with curiosity and openness, a trust in a Universe that is bigger than myself, and a knowing that change is always possible.
Experiences that have influenced me:
- BA in Psychology – UC Berkeley
- MA in Holistic Counseling Psychology – JFK University
- Hakomi Level 1 Professional Training
- Associate Therapist at Anthropos Community Counseling Center (supporting children, teens, adults, elders and couples)
- EMDR Training
- Internal Family Systems Training
- Trainee at Tri-Valley Haven (shelter serving adults and children who experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness)
- Certified grief specialist training
- Treatment of Complicated Grief training
- Reiki Masters Training and provided Reiki to hospice patients
- Hope Hospice homecare and dementia-trained volunteer
- Created curriculum for grief activity kits for bereaved children
- Public school and homeschool educator
- Developed and facilitated a children’s writing class focused on finding meaning through personal narratives
- Participated in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program
- Enjoyed countless creative experiences including knitting, gardening, quilting, cooking, piano, writing, collaging, singing, and dancing
To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. To live fully is to be always in no-man’s-land, to experience each moment as completely new and fresh. To live is to be willing to die over and over again.
Pema Chödrön
Contact me for a free 20-minute phone consultation.
Amy Kitajima – LMFT #140368
2222 Second Street – Suite 10
Livermore, CA 94550
(By Appointment Only)
Amy Kitajima, LMFT 