As the only native German-speaking accredited clinical psychologist in all Japan, Uta Sonnenberg-Watanabe is in transition.
We stand in the office that she will be opening later this month in central Tokyo's Azabu area near Roppongi 1-chome Station on the Namboku subway line, and take stock. It's a great room, in the throes of refurbishment, with a view of the garden outside. Perfect for unburdening, acquiring new perspectives on life in general and life in Japan in particular.
Apart from developing her own counseling practice, Uta is also the outreach person for the organization International Mental Health Professionals Japan. Founded in 1997, with chapters in Kanto and Kansai, IMHPJ is a multidisciplinary professional association of therapists. It not only assists the public via its Web site in finding help, but provides its members with a platform for discussion and information exchange.