Hiro Sasaki, Ph.D

Particularly since the passing of my parents, I've been interested in theology and philosophy, which I find invaluable for navigating grief, meaning, and purpose in a world that appears to have far too much unnecessary suffering. In my spare time, I love watching K-dramas and cooking shows, and am also a voting member of Film Independent. I also love what I do for a living.

I’ve been practicing since 2001 when I started my Ph.D program at the University of Southern California. I have a very broad training experience: I love working throughout the lifespan, with my youngest patient at age 3 and eldest 93. I was a graduate psychology educator from 2008 - 2018, and shaped the Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of the West where I blended Buddhist wisdom with evidence-based practice. I enjoy working with folks navigating multi-generational trauma in the context of relationships, life goals, and high performance demands. When working with clients, I have two assumptions:

Everyone is doing their absolute best at any given moment – no matter what – given their background and history; AND that going forward, everyone can do better, try harder, learn more skills, and apply the skills they inherently have. "The problem is not the problem; the problem is a past solution (to a problem) that has now become a problem"