ABOUT ME
Ai Kokunugi
Ai is a dedicated social worker, originally from Japan and trained in the U.S. Since 1999, Ai has worked in various settings including residential and day treatment facilities, schools, hospital, and community mental health agencies. Prior to moving to Sydney, Ai worked as a psychotherapist in private practice in Tokyo. Ai specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, cross-cultural adjustment issues, relationship issues, trauma, behavioral issues, autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and parenting. Ai embraces diversity and creates a safe and accepting space for all clients. Ai believes that parent-child relationship is the most important relationship. While she strives to create a trusting relationship with each child client, she works collaboratively with parents/caregivers so that they can be empowered to support their children’s growth and healing.
ABOUT ME
Ai Kokunugi
Ai is a dedicated social worker, originally from Japan and trained in the U.S. Since 1999, Ai has worked in various settings including residential and day treatment facilities, schools, hospital, and community mental health agencies. Prior to moving to Sydney, Ai worked as a psychotherapist in private practice in Tokyo. Ai specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, cross-cultural adjustment issues, relationship issues, trauma, behavioral issues, autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and parenting. Ai embraces diversity and creates a safe and accepting space for all clients. Ai believes that parent-child relationship is the most important relationship. While she strives to create a trusting relationship with each child client, she works collaboratively with parents/caregivers so that they can be empowered to support their children’s growth and healing.
Ai takes an integrative approach and utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities including play therapy, sandtray, filial therapy, CBT, ACT, client-centered therapy, and mindfulness. Ai’s practice is primarily informed by attachment theory, family systems theory, and interpersonal neurobiology.
Qualifications
- Master of Social Work
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AU)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (US)
- Certified Public Psychologist (Japan)
- Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
- Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider
- Advanced Certified Autism Specialist
- Registered Play Therapist
Memberships
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
- Association for Play Therapy (APT)
- Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
- International Mental Health Professionals Japan (IMHPJ)
