Matthew Shima, Therapist in California — Zencare
Matthew Shima
Matthew Shima
Locations California Therapists Matthew Shima
Matthew Shima
Zencare Vetted

Matthew Shima

He/Him/His

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
California, Hawaii Accepting Online
Updated October 30, 2022

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma
  • Spirituality & religion
  • Relationship issues
  • Couples counseling

Professional statement

Matthew is a licensed marriage and family therapist based on the island of Maui, Hawai’i serving residents of California and Hawai’i.

Many of the clients he works with are successful creatives, professionals, or are in the helping field themselves. While they are competent in many parts of their lives, often there is a sense of something missing, or some area in which they are struggling. It is common for many people to have difficulty in their relationships, to worry about the future, or feel stuck in their lives. His clients tend to be deeply interested and curious about the emotional, relational, and spiritual aspects of their lives and are committed to growth, learning, and healing.

Message to clients

I am a multiethnic Japanese American originally from Southern California having also grown up in Hawai’i and Pennsylvania. As an adult I immigrated to Japan where I learned Japanese and deeply rooted myself in countryside village life. The blossoms in spring, bird songs in summer, the fall moon, and winter snow are still natsukashii (nostalgic) for me.

I’ve spent time in various parts of the world and have become well versed in crossing oceans, in crossing cultures, and in bridging gaps. As I move through the world I have the experience of both fitting in nowhere and fitting in everywhere. Living cross-culturally has added to my flexibility, my ability to tolerate ambiguity, and feeling comfortable in the space between. In Japanese we say, aimai. I have grown to understand my identity as ever flowing and dynamic. Through this experience my life has come to be about creating a sense of place and belonging, aiding connection and harmony, and cultivating compassion and meaning.

What is your story?

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

Spirituality & religion - Exploring beliefs and practices related to meaning, existence, and spiritual health and healing; enjoying a deeper felt connection with the spiritual dimension of one's life

Relationship issues - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating

Couples counseling - Addressing relationship challenges and life transitions; strengthening communication and feelings of security, desire, connection, and love

General expertise

Treatment approaches

Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Matthew Shima is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $215 (45min)
  • Initial session: $215 (45min)
  • Couples sessions: $215 (45min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly

Location(s)

Online Sessions (California)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 4pm-9pm
  • Tue 4pm-9pm
  • Wed 4pm-9pm
  • Thu 4pm-9pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed
Online Sessions (Hawaii)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 1pm-6pm
  • Tue 1pm-6pm
  • Wed 1pm-6pm
  • Thu 1pm-6pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 5 years

Shima Therapy, Founder / Therapist, 2019 - Present

Pacific Oaks College, MA, Marriage and Family Therapy, Trauma Studies, 2017
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), BFA, Program in Art, 2005

Licensure

Hawaii: MFT-718

California: 113018

Languages

English

Japanese