Shiho Murakami, LICSW, MD, LCSW-C

Trauma-informed family and LGBT therapist

Trauma and abuse care
Family and parenting support
Tailored client-centered care

About Shiho Murakami

Shiho Murakami is a licensed clinical social worker with six years of professional experience supporting individuals and families in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She holds LICSW and LCSW-C credentials - LICSW stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and LCSW-C denotes the Maryland clinical social work license - and brings a background of practice across a range of interpersonal and developmental concerns.

She works with people facing LGBT-related issues, family conflict, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, and struggles with self-esteem. In addition, her practice addresses concerns such as abandonment, adoption and foster care matters, attachment issues, blended family dynamics, communication problems, caregiver stress, codependency, and substance and eating-related difficulties. Services are offered in both English and Japanese to better meet the needs of bilingual clients.

Shiho approaches each person with sensitivity, respect, and compassion, shaping conversations and treatment plans to reflect individual circumstances and goals. She emphasizes collaboration and practical strategies that fit the client’s life, recognizing that seeking change requires courage. Her work focuses on empowering clients to build more fulfilling relationships and greater emotional resilience while navigating the complexities of family and identity.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteem

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Shiho Murakami have?

Shiho Murakami has 6 years of professional experience.

Is Shiho Murakami a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds these credentials: LICSW and LCSW-C. LICSW indicates Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and LCSW-C is the Maryland clinical social work license. License details are DC LICSW LC200001939 and MD LCSW-C 23159.

In which languages does Shiho Murakami provide therapy?

Shiho Murakami provides therapy in English and Japanese.

Where is Shiho Murakami located?

Shiho Murakami is located in Maryland.

How can I work with Shiho Murakami as my therapist?

You can work with Shiho Murakami through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Shiho Murakami work with international clients?

Shiho Murakami does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Shiho Murakami cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shiho Murakami draws from approaches that emphasize values, relationships, and the client’s own goals. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and develop practical steps to live in line with those values while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings; it is often useful for anxiety, life transitions, and issues with motivation. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding relational patterns formed in early life and how they affect current relationships, which can be especially helpful for attachment issues, adoption or foster care concerns, and family conflict. Client-Centered Therapy centers the client’s perspective and strengths, using empathetic listening and collaboration to build self-understanding and confidence, an approach well suited to concerns like self-esteem and identity.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work. Shiho collaborates with clients to identify which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative process ensures treatment fits the person rather than the person fitting a predetermined model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging that make scheduling easier and reduce travel barriers. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide consistent, ongoing support in ways that fit different lifestyles, helping clients maintain momentum between sessions and access care from familiar surroundings.

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