Asuna Osako, LCSW, RDT

Trauma Therapist, Certified Brainspotting Practitioner, Registered Drama Therapist

Smiling headshot of Asuna Osako, LCSW

The whispers of your soma call you to remember what you already know deep within.

Guiding You on a Journey Toward Wholeness

If you're here, life may feel overwhelming—like you're stuck in patterns of worry, perfectionism, or self-doubt. Perhaps you're carrying unresolved pain, operating out of survival mode, feeling disconnected from your true self, or struggling to find balance in a chaotic and oppressive world.

You’re not alone. I’m here to guide you with an attuned presence and compassionate space to explore what's holding you back. I believe healing is a collaborative process. Together, we’ll release fear, shame, and uncertainty, helping you step into the life you deserve.

Whether you're navigating trauma and stress, exploring your sense of identity and belonging, struggling to feel "enough," or facing challenges in your relationships, my integrative approach blends science, creativity, and compassion to meet you where you are—guiding you toward greater confidence, clarity, and a deeper sense of inner peace.

My Approach

Asuna is sitting on the floor, hands to heart with eyes closed, meditating

EMBODIED, ACTION-ORIENTED, EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY

While intellectual understanding and insights are important, lasting change happens through action—and action begins in the body. Just as you can't learn to play an instrument by reading about it, you can’t fully heal by only talking about it. Healing requires practices that engage both mind and body.

When we take intentional actions—like exploring movements, accessing memories stored in the body, or engaging with creative expression—we open pathways for lasting change. Through methods like Brainspotting, drama therapy, and somatic work, I help you access deeper parts of you —beyond words and conscious thought— so that you can connect with your body’s wisdom to foster healing from the inside out.

You already possess the power to heal. My role is to help you remember and harness it.

JUSTICE-ORIENTED, DECOLONIZING, EMPOWERING CARE

My practice is grounded in a justice-oriented, anti-oppressive framework that recognizes the broader systems impacting your life.

Nearly two decades of experience working in nonprofit organizations with a focus on supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence within marginalized communities, informs my understanding of systemic challenges and my approach to therapy.

My experiences have solidified in me the belief that healing and empowerment emerge when we honor and respect the diverse cultural, spiritual, and historical contexts that shape our experiences, while challenging harmful systems that perpetuate inequality and trauma. I integrate the knowledge of modern science and wisdom of traditional worldviews that acknowledge the profound interconnectedness of all things.

Rather than focusing on diagnosing or “fixing” you, I embrace the whole self; the parts we see and those that are “broken” and hidden. Much like the art of Kintsugi, which transforms broken pottery into something uniquely beautiful by filling cracks with gold, I help you integrate life’s challenges into a deeper, more connected version of yourself.

Every piece of your journey holds value. Together, we’ll uncover the wisdom and strength hidden within your experiences and empower you to create lasting, transformative change.

turquoise blue, kintsugi bowl

Why Clients Choose Me

Clients often tell me they’ve never felt so deeply seen or heard, learning the true meaning of compassion through our work. Many share they've experienced breakthroughs after plateauing with other therapies, uncovering hidden strengths, and learning to embrace their whole selves with kindness.

Having faced life-altering health challenges, sexual violence, discrimination, intergenerational trauma, and healing from childhood wounds myself, I know how critical it is to approach healing with both compassion and patience. I bring this understanding to my work with clients every day.

Through compassionate, creative, and deeply experiential methods, we address the root causes of your patterns—not just talking about them. This leads to lasting change: better emotional regulation, more fulfilling relationships, and a deeper connection to your authentic self.

If you’re ready to break free from old wounds and create a path toward clarity, peace, and authenticity, I invite you to take the next step.

A Little More About Me

  • As a painfully shy, highly sensitive kid, the arts drew me out of my shell…and straight into the spotlight. From acting to singing to teaching, my young adult life was a blur of performances and presentations until I switched gears in my late 20s. Turns out, being a performer and teacher was a great warm-up for life as a therapist!

  • With roots in Japan, the UK, and the US, I’m bilingual (Japanese/English) and love working with people with all different levels of bilingualism. Need therapy in both languages? No problem.

  • Even in my 40s, I can still sometimes pass as a teenager, depending on my wardrobe choices—it might have to do with my petite 5’1” frame... or maybe it’s just because Asian don’t raisin. 😁

  • Certified sound healer, and yes, I can bring my trusty singing bowls into therapy sessions. (Just ask!) They're like a musical hug... for your soul 🎶

Training & Education

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
    New York: License no. 098221
    New Jersey: License no. 44SC06447700

    Masters in Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice. Columbia University School of Social Work, NY

    Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre, Psychology Minor.
    Elon University, NC

    • Registered Drama Therapist, NADTA (No. 619)

    • Certified Brainspotting Practitioner

    • Certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (No. 12759)

    • Certified Sound Healer

    • Drama Therapy, North American Drama Therapy Association.

    • Creative Art Therapies in Trauma Treatment, Level 1. Kint Institute

    • Palliative and End of Life Care. NYU Silver School of Social Work

    • Brainspotting Phase 1, 2, 3, Expansion. West Coast Psychotherapy; Pacific Trauma Center; David Grand

    • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Theory, Practice, & Adaptations for Telehealth. Pat Ogden

    • Healing Shame. Center for Healing Shame

    • Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies. Collectively Rooted

    • Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Frank Anderson

    • Trauma Wisdom Circle. Academy of Therapy Wisdom

Ready to begin your journey? Let’s connect