Psychotherapy in English in Japan
- HCPC (UK)PYL38998
- SocialstyrelsenSweden
- DClinPsy · CPsycholBPS Chartered · RAPPS
- EuroPsy / EFPAEuropean certificate
- IMHPJMembership Secretary
- English-speakingServing Japan
LivFull Psychology provides psychotherapy in English for English-speaking and expat clients in Japan — adults, and children generally aged 7 and above. Sessions are delivered online.
Therapy can support neurodivergence-related needs (including ADHD- and autism-related challenges), anxiety, depression and low mood, PTSD and trauma-related needs, obsessive-compulsive difficulties, low self-esteem, adjustment and relocation stress, and parenting-related stress. Psychotherapy is not a formal psychological evaluation, does not automatically produce an evaluation report, does not include medication or prescribing, and is not an emergency or crisis service.
Finding a therapist who speaks your language — literally and culturally — can be one of the harder parts of living in Japan. LivFull offers psychotherapy in English, delivered online, with clinical standards regulated in the UK and Sweden.
Therapy at LivFull is neurodiversity-informed: ADHD, autism and related differences are understood as part of a person's wider profile, while the real difficulties they can bring — such as overwhelm, anxiety, low mood and relationship strain — are taken seriously and worked on practically.
Approaches are drawn from evidence-based models used at the practice, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and narrative, systemic and solution-focused approaches — tailored to the person.
For younger children, suitability is reviewed first — including a child's tolerance for online sessions, whether in-person availability may be needed, and additional considerations where ADHD-related needs are present. This is discussed during the free consultation.
LivFull Psychology is a clinical psychology practice led by its founder, Dr Karan Sahar, DClinPsy, CPsychol, EuroPsy — registered with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, PYL38998) and with Socialstyrelsen in Sweden, and a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. Your clinician and service arrangements will be confirmed before booking.
Who this is for
- Adults in Japan who want English-language psychotherapy with a regulated clinical psychologist.
- Children generally aged 7 and above, where online sessions are suitable — reviewed during the consultation.
- English-speaking and expat clients anywhere in Japan, including outside Tokyo.
- Neurodivergent adults, autistic people, ADHDers, and people exploring these questions.
- Parents under strain, whether or not their child is currently in a service.
- People who have completed an evaluation and want support with what comes next.
What this can help clarify
- Understand patterns of thinking, feeling, relating and coping.
- Build practical skills for anxiety, low mood, stress and emotional regulation.
- Process difficult experiences, including trauma-related needs, at a pace you control.
- Make sense of life in a new country and the identity shifts that can come with it.
- Live and work with neurodivergence rather than against it.
- Decide, without pressure, whether a formal evaluation would add anything.
What to expect
- 01
Free consultation
A free 15-minute online consultation about what brings you and what you are looking for.
- 02
Suitability & fit
You talk through goals and how the work would be approached — for children, suitability for online sessions is reviewed.
- 03
Shared plan
Agree goals and a way of working that fits your needs and communication style.
- 04
Online sessions
Regular 50-minute sessions in English, with between-session ideas or practice where useful.
- 05
Review
Progress is checked together and the plan is adjusted as therapy progresses.
- 06
Next steps
Therapy can pause, end, continue, or connect to another support route when appropriate.
What this service does not provide
- Psychotherapy is not a formal psychological evaluation and does not automatically produce an evaluation report.
- No medication or prescribing — a psychiatrist or physician is needed for medication.
- No guaranteed outcomes; therapy is collaborative and progress varies from person to person.
- Not an emergency or crisis service.
LivFull Psychology is not a crisis or emergency service. In an immediate emergency in Japan, call 119 (ambulance or fire) or 110 (police). The TELL Lifeline is available on 0800-300-8355 (toll-free) or 03-5774-0992.
Frequently asked questions
English-speaking clients in Japan — adults, and children generally aged 7 and above where online sessions are suitable. Suitability for younger children is reviewed during the free consultation.
Neurodivergence-related needs including ADHD- and autism-related challenges, anxiety, depression and low mood, PTSD and trauma-related needs, obsessive-compulsive difficulties, low self-esteem, adjustment and relocation stress, and parenting-related stress.
Evidence-based models used at the practice include CBT, ACT, CFT, DBT, MBCT, and narrative, systemic and solution-focused approaches — tailored to the person.
The number of psychotherapy sessions varies according to the person's needs, goals, presenting difficulties and therapeutic approach. An initial plan is discussed collaboratively and reviewed as therapy progresses. Where a structured evidence-based intervention is appropriate, the expected course can be discussed during the consultation.
Yes. Therapy at LivFull is neurodiversity-informed and adapted to how you think and communicate.
No. Psychotherapy is distinct from a formal psychological evaluation and does not automatically produce an evaluation report. A psychological evaluation is a separate service.
No. LivFull is a psychology practice and does not prescribe or manage medication.
Sessions are 50 minutes at ¥25,000, with a discounted self-pay rate of ¥16,500 for clients not reimbursed by health insurance. See the Fees page for details.
Explore related services
Start with a free consultation
Book a free 15-minute consultation about psychotherapy — or send an enquiry if you'd rather start with a question.