Dr. Fukiko Shibahara, Psy.D.

Private Practice of Dr. Fukiko Shibahara, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Infants, Children, Adults, & Couples Therapy Hello! I’m Dr. Fukiko Shibahara, a California licensed clinical psychologist based in San Francisco and Berkeley, and founder of Nest Psychological Services. I offer a warm, non-judgmental and confidential space where young children, adult individuals, and couples can feel safely nestled, heard, supported, and empowered to heal and grow. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, intimacy issues, pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, or ADHD, I work alongside you to support meaningful and lasting change. Who I Help My clinical practice centers on individual, dyadic family and couples therapy for infants (0–12 months), toddlers (1–3 years), and preschoolers (3–5 years), children, adults, pregnant mothers, parents, and couples who are affected by trauma, other mental health and developmental challenges. I specialize in: • Evidence-based treatments for infants and early childhood • Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Disorders for All Ages • Trauma-Informed Therapy for All Ages, (Childhood Trauma, Developmental Trauma) • ADHD in Children, Teens, and Adults • Couples Therapy and Intimacy, Trauma, Relationship Issues • Parent-Child Attachment Relationship Support for All Ages • Perinatal and Postpartum Adjustment and Bonding • Parents Mental Health and Parenting Stress (Maternal, Paternal, LGBTQ+, Foster Parenting, Adoption) How I Help and Focused Areas Developmental Screening and Therapy for Infants, Toddlers, and Older Children: Early childhood is a critical period for brain development and emotional growth. During the first few years of life, children form the foundations for learning, behavior, and how they relate to the world. Disruptions—such as trauma, stress, or caregiver mental health challenges—can interfere with healthy development and the child's view of self and others. I take a developmental and relational perspective. My work with infants, toddlers, and young children includes child-parent psychotherapy, play therapy, and early intervention strategies to address developmental concerns and promote secure attachment, emotional regulation, and healthy family dynamics. I offer supportive space to work closely with caregivers, integrating parent consultation and family therapy when needed; please don't hesitate to call me for a free consultation to discuss your circumstances and needs, such as: • Behavioral challenges (e.g., mood and affect regulations, tantrums, aggression, separation and transition difficulties, ADHD, defiance, self-isolation) • Sleep, feeding, and sensory issues • Attachment and trust • Grief, trauma, or adjustment difficulties • Developmental needs in speech, motor, or social development • Impact of trauma or family stress (e.g., divorce, illness, loss) • Anxiety, depression, or mood disorders • Peer and school-related problems (e.g., behavior, motivation, focus, emotional regulation) • Self-esteem, self-worth, confidence Trauma Therapy for All Ages Many of my clients—children and adults alike—have experienced trauma, including emotional, physical, sexual, or relational trauma. I offer evidence-based trauma-informed care that honors the complexity of your experiences and promotes healing at your pace. I help individuals and families understand how trauma may manifest through anxiety, mood changes, relational or intimacy difficulties, or developmental disruptions, and work collaboratively to build resilience and self-compassion. For infants and young children, trauma may show up through developmental regression, behavioral changes, or sleep and appetite disturbances. My work draws on attachment theory, psychodynamic, developmental neuroscience and infant mental health frameworks to strengthen caregiver-child bonds and support recovery during these critical years. Some of the modalities may include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic insight-oriented therapy. ADHD Therapy for Children, Teens & Adults Living with ADHD is often misunderstood. It's not about laziness or lack of motivation—ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, focus, self-regulation, and emotional processing. Individuals with ADHD frequently battle self-doubt, anxiety, shame, and unhelpful labels they've carried for years. I provide therapy for children, teens, and adults with ADHD, helping them explore their strengths, develop executive functioning tools, and rebuild self-esteem. While I do not currently offer formal ADHD evaluations, I’m happy to refer you to trusted clinicians for diagnostic testing. Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) Being in a relationship can be deeply fulfilling—and incredibly difficult. Couples therapy provides a structured and neutral space to explore unmet needs, improve communication, and deepen emotional connection. We often unconsciously bring past wounds into our intimate partnerships, which can lead to miscommunication, disappointment, and recurring conflict. In therapy, we work to untangle these patterns, identify each partner’s emotional landscape, and foster mutual understanding. Whether you are struggling with trust, emotional distance, parenting differences, or life transitions, I help couples reconnect and rebuild their relationship as a source of strength and safety. My Clinical Background With over 16 years of clinical experience in California since 2009, I’ve completed comprehensive predoctoral (APA-accredited) and postdoctoral training across medical inpatient, community outpatient, and academic clinical settings. My journey began in 2007 when I worked at Oregon state-funded nonprofit and 24-hour shelter, where I cared for infants and children who experienced family violence, neglect, and trauma. These formative experiences shaped my deep commitment to research and helping individuals through trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health care. I graduated in 2015 with a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in Clinical Psychology with a Child and Family emphasis from the APA-accredited doctoral program in San Francisco. My doctoral dissertation research studied "Loss and the grieving process among current and former foster parents who experienced separation from a child". I currently provide diagnostic consultation, and ongoing therapy for individuals and families from diverse clinical and sociocultural backgrounds. A little bit of my Personal Story I was born and raised in Japan until I left for college in the United States. My home is surrounded by nature, ocean and beautiful mountains, and I played so much as a child (Many people are surprised to hear I was a tomboy)! For the past 22 years, I have learned and witnessed deep struggles in children and adult individuals and been touched by their bravery, resiliency and power of connection. Today, I am honored to be able to offer mental health care to diverse clients in order to heal from the impacts of trauma and reconnect with their inner strengths and resilience and hold hope together. I am also a mom to my beloved daughter who turned two and who is painting my world very colorfully and keeping me going. I have also been a cat mom for 11 years, and I have two cats I adopted from Long Beach SPCA and Oakland SPCA. They provide me so much comfort and soothing in my own home, including lots of green plants that I love! ________________________________________ Inclusive, Multicultural, and Compassionate Care At Nest Psychological Services, I welcome individuals and families from all walks of life. My practice is grounded in cultural humility, multicultural awareness, and authentic human connection. I honor your lived experience and strive to co-create a therapeutic space where you feel truly seen, understood, and supported. ________________________________________ Let's Connect Reaching out for therapy is a courageous step. Whether you're concerned about your child’s mental health, looking to better manage your ADHD, rebuild connection in your relationship, or heal from past trauma—I’m here to support you. Together, we’ll uncover your strengths, understand your challenges, and work toward lasting emotional well-being.