About - Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

Certified Canadian Counsellor & Psychotherapist in Nagoya, Japan

Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

Certified Canadian Counsellor & Psychotherapist in Nagoya, Japan

My Mission As A Therapist

My mission is to facilitate positive change in the lives of others, and thus in the greater community, by helping people transform their personal and relationship challenges into opportunities for growth and healing.

You’ll enjoy a safe, compassionate, and professional environment that cultivates courage and curiosity, and invites you to creatively explore your relationship to yourself and others.

I believe you hold within you all the wisdom you need to live your life resourcefully and satisfyingly. Together we’ll tap into your intrinsic capacities for emotional healing and restoration.

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

Are you ready for a change?

My Theory of Change

All of us have depressed, anxious, critical, judgemental, angry, confused and addictive parts that began as a way of coping with life’s hardships. What helped us cope in the past may not be effective today. Rather than trying to get rid of these emotions or parts, we can befriend them, learn something valuable from them, and enlist their support to release the burdens from the past that we carry today.

I ardently believe these parts have within them the seeds of wisdom that, when met with compassion, will flourish and result in transformative change and help you live your life more harmoniously and resourcefully.

Every life experience no matter how traumatic, shameful, or adverse can be metabolized and even provide opportunities for growth and learning.

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. Using your expertise in your life experience; and my education, psychotherapeutic training, and life experience, we partner to create change. Self-leadership and transformative qualities such as curiosity, compassion, and courage are kindled 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 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM

I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I am dedicated to ensuring client safety and fulfilling professional ethics within all my counselling relationships. As a testament to my commitment to client safety and professional ethics, I participate in ongoing professional development and supervision to ensure my clients’ experiences of counselling are rewarding, positive, and safe.

COUNSELLING TRAINING

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)
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 globally working, long-term resident of Nagoya, Japan. I’ve been married for over 20 years and have two adult children. When I’m not busy learning more about what has recently peaked my curiosity, you’ll likely find me walking my dog, travelling, meditating, or enjoying time with my family.