Staff
Wataru Nishida, M.S., Senior Counselor
Wataru Nishida joined the TUJ Counseling Office as a full-time bilingual counselor (English/Japanese) in September 2009. Wataru obtained his bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Science at Pennsylvania State University in 1997 and master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania in 2000. He has worked as a psychotherapist in various settings and dealt with clients ranging in age from toddler to senior citizen. Client issues have included; depression, anxiety, cultural adjustment, physical and sexual abuse, eating disorders, addiction, anger management, and relationship problems, just to name a few. Through his experiences, Wataru has come to believe that each one of us has an inner strength to heal our own wounds. The client must be "willing and wanting" to change, and the therapist's role is to guide and encourage their potential to regain serenity in their lives.
Wataru also taught a "Multicultural Counseling" class for the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University as an adjunct professor for two years prior to his return to Japan in 2007. In addition, he practices Chinese martial art for over 13 years and has a 2nd degree black belt. To enhance the quality of students' life, he provides "Meditation & Tai Chi workshop" as well as "Guided Imagery Exercise" throughout the semester.
Robynn Bushner Kobayashi, Ph.D.,
Clinical Psychologist (Missouri Licensed: #2007028990)
Dr. Kobayashi is a part-time counselor available to provide psychological testing and counseling to the TUJ community. She has worked in a variety of mental health settings, counseling individuals, groups, and couples with a broad range of issues including depression, anxiety, attention problems, substance abuse concerns, and adjustment difficulties. She is experienced in the psychological evaluation of attention problems, learning disabilities, and other cognitive issues, as well as developing strategies to cope with such difficulties. Dr. Kobayashi is from the US and has lived in Tokyo since March 2005. She received a M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1988 and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Illinois Institute of Technology in May 2004. Prior to moving to Tokyo, she completed a year of post-doctoral clinical training at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington , DC.
Shizuno Mase, M.S. NCC
Shizuno is a part-time counselor at TUJ since October 2007.
She graduated from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania with a master's degree in mental health counseling. Her experiences during graduate study include working at the university counseling center, a nursing home, and a hospice. Upon graduation, She worked as a counselor at a substance abuse treatment center in Philadelphia providing individual and group counseling. Her interests include the treatment of addiction and eating disorder and grief and loss issues.
