About Me
For the past 20 years, I have been based in Tokyo, Japan, working as an early intervention specialist serving children with a variety of needs.
My educational training in the US with a dual masters degree in Therapeutic Recreation and Early Childhood Education have guided me through the years to ground my calling in supporting children to grow and thrive in their early childhood years.
As an early intervention specialist, the nature of my work primarily centered on addressing the developmental needs of the children I served. My focus then was on therapeutic interventions working directly with the children in one-to-one settings.
Although there was just as much need to guide and counsel their parents, the reality was that the constraints of time did not allow me to provide the family and parent support as often and as much as I wished. When there was time to share my knowledge and experiences with parents, I could see how much they appreciated the insights and reflections.
It was in those moments that I realized the extent to which parents needed just as much - or sometimes even more - support as their child.
With my work as an Early Childhood Doula, I am now able to shift my purpose from focusing on the child to focusing on you, the parents. My role now is to support and guide you in your journey through parent education and counseling by sharing with you what I have learned in my 20 years.
I hope to point you to your next steps when you are unsure and uncertain; to be a sounding board for you when you need to be heard; and to cheer you on as you take your steps forward. I hope to be a source of parent support for you.
It is with this aspiration that I offer my services to you - to listen to your story of being a parent to young children, and to walk alongside it by reassuring, encouraging, and broadening perspectives for you in your unique journey as a parent to young children.
Warmly yours,
Lily Matsubara