About Natsumi, MS, LMHC
Welcome to my page!
Thanks for taking the time to read more about me and my practice. You’re taking time to figure out who’s the right therapist to help you navigate life’s challenges. Hopefully your search ends here.
I’ve been practicing therapy for around 7 years now and feel fairly confident about my expertise… Confident enough where I’ve shifted to using mostly selfies rather than polished, posed, professional headshots.
Because at the end of the day, I can go on and on about all of the trainings I’ve led for fellow professionals, high risk populations I’ve helped in our local community, certifications held, and more…
And yet what I believe will set me apart in a sea of “alphabet soup” (with professional letters behind my name) and a therapist AI on ChatGPT (that lacks the humanity to notice the cracks in your voice and shift in your energy) is: who I am as a human being.
But first: Let’s start with the boring stuff
(credentials & expertise)
I graduated from Florida International University with a Master of Science in Professional Counseling Psychology. During my time as a student, I completed over 1,220 hours of service across five clinical programs, serving clients in both group and individual settings. My academics didn’t take a hit. I graduated as with a 4.0 gpa.
Most of my training for two years focused on what we call “Disruptive Behavior Disorders” in Children and Adolescents. A lot of the time, these kids needed support for ADHD, Autism, or other conditions leading to behavioral challenges at home and school. I led youth and parent therapy groups, both in-person and virtually, and very rapidly supported coordinating efforts to adapt these services for online delivery at the height of COVID-19.
From my time as a student to my most recent community mental health role, I’ve provided training and mentorship to other professionals in the field.
To our left is me (not pictured: two trusted colleagues), presenting at one of the largest behavioral health conferences in Florida back in 2023 to over 120 multidisciplinary healthcare professionals who signed up to learn from us.
Over the last 7 years, I’ve focused on working with youth and families in South Florida. I’ve been an advocate for youth with disabilities, doing focused advocacy work in Broward and Miami-Dade counties over the last 3 years. I’ve helped hundreds of people during my time in community mental health programs in navigating clinical concerns (such as ADHD and anxiety, for example) and major crises (from domestic violence, homelessness, and more).
Needless to say, I’ve encountered a ton of trauma during my time as a therapist. Aside from being able to say I am a trauma-informed clinician, I’m also certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
I definitely know my stuff. And yet, therapy isn’t about knowing it all. It’s a space focused on showing up with care, clarity, and commitment for you.
Now on to the fluff
(Get to know my story)
Growing up, I never really planned to be a therapist. Truthfully, while it may be taboo to share, for a while as a teenager I was very adamant that I wouldn’t become one. It took a few years to embrace my passion.
As someone who’s quietly carried deep awareness of others’ emotions since childhood, I was often the person that family and friends turned to when things got heavy. While some of them even faced hospitalizations due to their struggles, I saw firsthand how hard it was for them to find the right therapist.
Those experiences left a lasting impression. I felt the hurt, anger, and hopelessness that sometimes these loved ones would experience.
You can have all the know-how in the world, and yet none of that will make a difference if you fail to connect with the human in front of you.
Thankfully, each person in this story eventually found their therapist match. With time, I realized that I could be the change that I longed to see: I may not be everyone’s therapist, but someone out there needs me.
Mental health has touched my life in very personal ways. I come from a family where generational trauma was present but rarely named; where some of my grandparents struggled silently (or sometimes, very loudly and in denial). I’ve seen how these patterns ripple through generations, and I bring that lived understanding into my work.
As an Asian-Hispanic eldest daughter raised under high expectations, with an autoimmune condition (vitiligo) that holds traces of my story, I’ve had to unlearn the idea that worthiness comes from achievement.
I’ve shed the burden of showing up perfectly. Whether you're navigating identity, trauma, or simply feeling stuck, I will meet you with warmth, humility, and skill.
Therapy with me isn’t cold or scripted. I'm a real person in the virtual room with you, offering both clinical expertise and genuine presence
Outside of session, you’ll probably find me cooking, listening to K-pop, or cuddling my pup (who may occasionally make his presence known).
Above all, I aim to offer a space where you can be seen, heard, and supported: just as you are. No perfection required and supported in a way that you can grow into who you will become.
