About - Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

Certified Canadian Counsellor & Psychotherapist

Certified IFS Therapist, Level 3; Approved IFS Clinical Consultant

Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

Certified Canadian Counsellor & Psychotherapist in Nagoya, Japan

Certified IFS Therapist, Level 3

Approved IFS Clinical Consultant

My Mission As A Therapist

My mission is to support meaningful change in individuals—and by extension, in the broader community—by helping people turn personal and relational challenges into pathways for growth and healing.

In our work together, you’ll find a safe, compassionate, and professional space—one that encourages courage, curiosity, and creative exploration of your relationship with yourself and others.

I believe you already hold the wisdom you need to live a more resourceful, satisfying life. Together, we’ll tap into your innate capacity for emotional healing, resilience, and restoration.

My goal is to help you become a therapist to yourself.

Are you ready for a change?

My Theory of Change

We all have parts of ourselves that feel depressed, anxious, critical, judgmental, angry, confused, or even addictive. These parts often developed as ways of coping with life’s challenges. What once helped us survive may no longer serve us today.

Rather than trying to eliminate these emotions or parts, we can build a trusting relationship with them—listening to what they have to teach us, and gently enlisting their support in letting go of the burdens from our past.

I deeply believe that within each of these parts lies the seed of wisdom. When met with compassion, they can grow and transform, and help us live with greater harmony, resilience, and self-understanding.

No matter how traumatic, painful, or shame-filled an experience may have been, it can be metabolized—and, in time, even offer opportunities for growth and insight.

Let me help you flourish and connect with your inner wisdom.

COUNSELLING STYLE

I use a compassionate, caring, collaborative approach in all my counselling relationships. Drawing on your expertise in your life experience, combined with my education, psychotherapeutic training, and personal experience, we partner to create meaningful change. Self-leadership and transformative qualities, such as curiosity, compassion, and courage, are accessed as you explore your inner world and relationships. New perspectives are discovered, hope is inspired, and change becomes possible.

When partnering with you, I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapies including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, Brainspotting, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and principles from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM

I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a Certified IFS Therapist and Approved IFS Clinical Consultant through the Internal Family Systems Institute. I am committed to ensuring client safety and upholding professional ethics in all my counselling and consulting relationships. As a testament to my commitment to client safety and professional ethics, I participate in ongoing professional development, supervision, and therapy to ensure my clients’ experiences of counselling are rewarding, positive, and safe.

COUNSELLING TRAINING

Internal Family Systems, Level 3 (Einat Bronstein)
Brainspotting Phase 1, (Dr. Roby Ables & Noula Diamantopoulos)
Internal Family Systems, Level 2 (Einat Bronstein & Osnat Arbel)
Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation: Foundations of Polyvagal Informed Practice (Deb Dana)
Grief and Internal Family Systems (Derek Scott)
Internal Family Systems, Level 1, (Paul Ginter & Simon d’Orsogna)
Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma Levels I & II, (Janina Fisher)
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation, (Janina Fisher)
Essentials of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety, (Judith Beck)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), (Marshall Wilensky)
Gottman Seven Principles Program for Educators Training
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy – Level 1(Kathlyne Maki-Banmen)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

CCPA, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Certified Member 1185 (certified 2009)
Internal Family Systems Institute, Certified Member 2021; Approved Clinical Consultant 2022
International Mental Health Professionals Japan, General Board Member 2021; President 2019-2021; Secretary 2017-2019

EDUCATION

Master of Counselling, Psychology, Campus Alberta Applied Psychology: University of Calgary, Athabasca University, University of Lethbridge, Canada
Bachelor of Laws, University of British Columbia, Canada
Bachelor of Arts, University of Calgary, Canada

On a Personal Note

I’m a long-time Nagoya resident with a globally connected practice. My two grown kids have flown the nest, leaving me more time to follow my curiosity wherever it leads. When I’m not down a research rabbit hole, you’ll probably find me wandering the forest, hopping on a plane, getting reflective with a cup of tea, or having a good giggle with a dear one."