Marina Masaki
LMFTA
I blend my data science background with relationship therapy to help clients identify underlying patterns in their relationships and careers.
My specializations are: relationship strengthening, improving communication and conflict resolution, rebuilding trust and connection, navigating sexual/intimacy issues, discernment counseling, pre-marital counseling, and career stress in tech.
I am a certified Discernment Counselor, helping couples on the brink make clear decisions about the future of their relationships.
My approach to therapy is intersectional, collaborative, strengths-based, and anti-oppressive. I create a supportive environment, offering a kink-informed, poly-friendly, and trauma-informed perspective.
About Marina
I am a woman of color and a child of immigrants. My passion is supporting individuals and families in understanding their experiences within broader systems like families, intimate partnerships, workplaces, and society at large. After a decade in the data science field, I left Google to pursue my true calling. My journey has taken me from analyzing app usage patterns to analyzing patterns in how we connect, love, and grow. Working with me will be unique because of my personal understanding and professional insight.
I’m a California native from Orange County who has lived on both coasts—spending time in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My experience living in these areas has shaped my perspective and professional approach.
Outside of the therapy office, you'll find me fostering dogs and volunteering at rescues. My first visit to an animal sanctuary led to my first fostering experience, which led to the adoption of my chihuahua mix, Cooper!
Therapy with Marina
My approach to therapy is intersectional, collaborative, strengths-based, and anti-oppressive. I create a supportive environment, offering a kink-informed, poly-friendly, and trauma-informed perspective. I tailor my approach to the needs of my clients, blending a number of research-backed modalities:
Attachment Based Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Developmental Model of Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Gottman Couples Therapy
Internal Family Systems (also known as “parts work” or “inner child work”)
Mindfulness
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Specializations and Interests
Career stress in tech (burnout, promo, stress)
Discernment Counseling (decision-making around whether to break up, work on the relationship, or decide later)
Immigration & acculturation
Intergenerational family dynamics
Premarital counseling
Relationship strengthening (improving communication, conflict resolution, rebuilding trust and connection, multicultural relationships)
Sex therapy (low desire, desire discrepancy, kink, out-of-control sexual behavior, shame, consensual non-monogamy)
Supervised by: Claudia Johnson, LMFT, CST, ABS, Anne Mauro, LMFT, DHS, CSE, CST-S, and Fiona O’Farrell, PhD, LMFT
Professional History
Education
M.A. Couple & Family Therapy, Antioch University Seattle
M.S. Statistical Practice, Carnegie Mellon University
B.S. Applied Mathematics, UC Irvine
Trainings
Developmental Model, Couples Institute, In progress
Discernment Counseling Training, Doherty Institute, 2024
Neurodiversity in Family Therapy, 2024
Trauma, Disaster, and Crisis, 2023
Sex Therapy Certificate, Antioch University Seattle, 2023
Neurobiology of Trauma, 2023
Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1, 2023
Working with Trans Clients, 2023
Perinatal Mental Health, 2023
Treating Out of Control Sexual Behavior, 2023
Domestic Violence Counselor Training (English & Japanese), Asian Women’s Shelter, 2021
Professional Affiliations
Washington Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT), board member (2023)
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Awards & Recognition
AAMFT Diversity Scholarship for Emerging Leaders
WAMFT Student of the Year
Antioch University Seattle, Common Thread article