Thank you for visiting our website and taking interest in our programs. I hope you find our website helpful in exploring your career aspirations and learning about the counseling profession. I am originally from Japan and have lived in several parts of the United States while completing my advanced degrees. My own journey of becoming a counselor educator certainly has taken me down many meaningful paths and some detours along the way. Each adjustment which brought a great amount of excitement and unique challenges has helped me truly appreciate the beauty of being a lifelong learner of diversity and multiculturalism. I joined the Department of Counselor Education at The College of New Jersey in 2003 and have been thoroughly impressed with the high caliber of students in our programs ever since. I also feel fortunate to work with the dedicated colleagues who collectively share the goal of supporting each student both on a professional and personal level.
My scholarly interests include exploring the resiliency among immigrant families and cross-national couples as well as use of creativity in counselor preparation. My personal experiences drew me into learning about immigrant families from Asia, particularly assisting them with fostering resiliency to cope with varying degrees of acculturative stressors. Similarly, I have a genuine interest in understanding the experiences of cross-national couples and factors that strengthen their relationships with each other, their children and distant relatives. The use of creative interventions in counseling is something I love incorporating into my teaching to offer experiential learning for our students. I like “The sky is the limit” approach in exploring what makes teaching and counseling effective.
Collaborations are welcomed in our department, and I enjoy presenting and writing with my colleagues and students whenever opportunities arise. Events such as graduations and Student Awards/Chi Sigma Induction Ceremonies are special times that bring us together to celebrate the students and their families. I take pride in being part of these special events.
I look forward to having an opportunity to speak with you about our programs and your career aspirations. Thank you.
Atsuko