Overview
- Privately owned and operated by Brian O’Sullivan, LMFT
- English speaking services
- Trained and licensed in the United States
- In-person and online services available
- Serving the civilian ex-pat population in Okinawa and Japan
Who Typically Comes to Minato Counseling?
Most people who come see me are people living out of their own country and culture; either temporarily or permanently.
I find that most people come to Minato Counseling for one of three reasons:
- There are no major challenges and the person is simply looking to get further ahead or get through a transition a little quicker
- Emotions are getting stronger, but day-to-day things are still ok. The person seeks help to prevent things from progressing to something more serious
- Functioning day-to-day is a challenge and solving the issue doesn’t seem possible
Confidentiality
Your story is yours and I take confidentiality very seriously. It’s the foundation of my work.
Confidentiality has two main components:
- Keeping your story private
- Keeping your identity and the fact you’re coming to Minato Counseling private
Confidentiality means:
- I will not talk about your story with anyone else
- If someone calls me asking if I know you or asking if you’re a client, I politely say, “I cannot confirm or deny an individual is coming to my office.”
- If we come across one another in public, I will not approach you or start a conversation
- If you do not approach or greet me in public, I do not take it personally and understand your need for privacy
- I will not put you in a situation where you have to explain to someone else how you know me
- If we are introduced by a mutual acquaintance I will act like it’s the first time we’ve met
Limits to Confidentiality
I do have limits to confidentiality however, if:
- You are a danger to yourself
- You are a danger to someone else
- Abuse of a minor or elder
I have an obligation to ensure safety and can break confidentiality in the above situations.
Also, in order to maintain my skills as a counselor or to get specialized insight for a particular issue, I will occasionally consult with other trusted clinicians. These clinicians follow the same strict ethical and confidentiality guidelines that I do.