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Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist

Matthew Shima

Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
12 Endorsed
Pasadena, CA 91101
Connect with Matthew Shima
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
As a multiethnic Japanese American I feel at home across the Pacific, from California to Hawai’i to Japan. I’ve spent time in various parts of the world and have become well versed in crossing oceans, in crossing cultures, and in bridging gaps. As I move through the world I have the experience of both fitting in nowhere and fitting in everywhere.
Living cross-culturally has added to my flexibility, my ability to tolerate ambiguity, and feeling comfortable in the space between. In Japanese we say, aimai. I have grown to understand my identity as ever flowing and dynamic.
Through this experience my life has come to be about creating a sense of place and belonging, aiding connection and harmony, and cultivating compassion and meaning. What is your story?
Matthew Shima now for a free 15 minute consultation

My Practice at a Glance

Available online only

Shima Therapy

Pasadena, CA 91101

Shima Therapy

Wailea, HI 96753

Therapy is a dedication of your most valuable resources: your time and attention, to the important things on your mind and in your heart.
I specialize in Spirituality, Relationship Issues and Self Esteem 
$225 Per Session  
I see individuals and couples  
Connect with Matthew Shima
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist

My Practice at a Glance

Available online only

Shima Therapy

Pasadena, CA 91101

Shima Therapy

Wailea, HI 96753

Therapy is a dedication of your most valuable resources: your time and attention, to the important things on your mind and in your heart.
I specialize in Spirituality, Relationship Issues and Self Esteem 
$225 Per Session  
I see individuals and couples  

Finances

Fees

  • Individual Sessions $225
  • Couple Sessions $250
  • Pay by American Express, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

  • Out of Network
"
All services are private pay and paid out-of-pocket to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and quality services, avoid third-party barriers and influence, and focus on a growth & strength-based mindset rather than psychopathology and diagnosis.
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
"
All services are private pay and paid out-of-pocket to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and quality services, avoid third-party barriers and influence, and focus on a growth & strength-based mindset rather than psychopathology and diagnosis.
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT

Qualifications

  • Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of California / LMFT 113018 Matthew Shima
  • License: State of Hawaii 718 / 2021
  • Attended Pacific Oaks College, M.A. , Graduated 2017
Feel free to ask about qualifications and training experience.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Feel free to ask about qualifications and training experience.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Spirituality
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self Esteem

Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Life Transitions
  • Sex-Positive, Kink Allied
  • Stress
  • Trauma and PTSD
"
Many of my clients are very successful and competent in the their professional lives, but often struggle with their emotional and relational lives, or to manage it all. It can seem hard to reconcile what they know they should be doing and what they end up actually doing. Therapy can be very helpful in developing greater awareness of what keeps them stuck and finding a way through.
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
"
Many of my clients are very successful and competent in the their professional lives, but often struggle with their emotional and relational lives, or to manage it all. It can seem hard to reconcile what they know they should be doing and what they end up actually doing. Therapy can be very helpful in developing greater awareness of what keeps them stuck and finding a way through.
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT

12 Endorsements

Megan Plotkowski
Megan Plotkowski
Marriage & Family Therapist AssociateMAMSAMFTPhD
Matthew is a talented and insightful therapist and a respected supervisor and colleague.
Kerrie Jones
Kerrie Jones
Marriage & Family Therapist AssociateAMFTAPCC
I have been looking forward to working with Matthew from the moment he interviewed me for my internship. He's is a great supervisor with great insight! His clients are very lucky to have him!
Lily Truong
Lily Truong
MA
Matthew is a highly effective and incredibly insightful therapist and clinical supervisor. His grounding presence encourages the intentional practice of being in the here & now, and his approach is perfectly balanced with gentleness and directness.
Michelle Sargent
Michelle Sargent
Marriage & Family TherapistLMFTRYT-200
I have had the honor and pleasure of witnessing Matthew in action for the past 6 years. His work with clients, colleagues, and trainees is imbued with his calm and grounded energy, keen mind, and warm presence. I'm so glad to have him as a colleague!

Client Focus

Age

Adults

Participants

Individuals
Couples

Communities

Queer Allied

Ethnicity

Asian

I also speak

Conversational Japanese

Religion

Buddhist

Age

Adults

Participants

Individuals
Couples

Communities

Queer Allied

Ethnicity

Asian

I also speak

Conversational Japanese

Religion

Buddhist

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Existential
  • Gestalt
  • Humanistic
  • Relational
  • Somatic
  • Trauma Focused
"
A main focus of our work will be developing and expanding your capacity for awareness. Awareness of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, facilitating clarity on your hopes & fears, likes & dislikes, strengths & resources, and relational patterns. We will use a creative and holistic approach of collaborative dialogue and experiential exercises to develop awareness and cultivate compassion.
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
"
A main focus of our work will be developing and expanding your capacity for awareness. Awareness of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, facilitating clarity on your hopes & fears, likes & dislikes, strengths & resources, and relational patterns. We will use a creative and holistic approach of collaborative dialogue and experiential exercises to develop awareness and cultivate compassion.
for a free 15 minute consultation now.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT

Location

Primary Location

Shima Therapy

Pasadena, CA 91101

Additional Location

Shima Therapy

Wailea, HI 96753

"
Therapy is a dedication of your most valuable resources: your time and attention, to the important things on your mind and in your heart.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
"
Therapy is a dedication of your most valuable resources: your time and attention, to the important things on your mind and in your heart.
Photo of Matthew Shima, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Matthew Shima
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT