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Dr. Kanako Okuda, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Kanako is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Kanako. View 39 reviews
Speaks English and Japanese
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in New York and Pennsylvania

Recent reviews

I really like that she is very thoughtful to my feelings a d she is thinking about how to respond that best helps me to deal with my life and how to move forward.

Reviewed November 2024

Dr Okuda is extremely patient and very easy to talk to.

Reviewed November 2024

More about Kanako

  • 18 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

Hello. My name is Kanako Okuda. I am a licensed clinical social worker in New York and Pennsylvania with over 20 years of experience helping individuals from various walks of life. I earned my Doctorate of Social Work from Rutgers School of Social Work and a Master’s Degree from Columbia University. I have worked with parents of children with life-challenging diseases and adults of all ages. I have also helped them successfully manage major life transitions, chronic health conditions, coping with educational anxiety, and dealing with work challenges.

One of my specialties is in managing educational anxiety. I have several years of experience counseling students through their college careers, as well as offering counseling to professionals regarding work-related issues. I've provided counseling at schools, in the home environment, in hospitals, and through web-based platforms. The premise of my work is based on positive psychology. I want to help you cultivate the best parts of you to enhance the areas of your life that you may feel the need to change.

I believe that we all have the innate potential to achieve a meaningful life. My role is to help you identify the strengths and resources you already have by recognizing your fears and insecurities through our work together. It is important to work collaboratively to accomplish the most meaningful results, and you will find my approach genuine and supportive. I look forward to collaborating with you to help you discover your best self.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Grief Career difficulties Coping with life changes Addictions Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Anger management Self esteem Depression Coaching Compassion fatigue

Licenses

Dr. Kanako Okuda's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1184084998.

  • LCSW · New York · 064376 · Expires November 2027
  • LCSW · Pennsylvania · CW024842 · Expires February 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.

Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.

Reviews for Dr. Kanako Okuda

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

39 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Helped Great Recommend Grateful Amazing Helpful The best Anxiety Thoughtful Professional

I really like that she is very thoughtful to my feelings a d she is thinking about how to respond that best helps me to deal with my life and how to move forward.

Reviewed November 2024

Dr Okuda is extremely patient and very easy to talk to.

Reviewed November 2024

I greatly appreciate the time Dr Okuda provides to listen to me, and she helps me work through upsetting situations, and with problem solving.

Reviewed November 2023

The best therapist

Reviewed November 2022

Dr. Okuda has helped me gain a lot of insight into my thoughts and actions. I would recommend her to anyone without hesitation.

Reviewed August 2022

Is my great pleasure to recommend Dr. Okada. She has helped me so much in the past 6 months and I have progressed so much and I've changed my mindset in such a positive way and she is probably one of the best therapists that I've ever had so I feel very grateful and very happy that I've had the privilege of doing therapy with her she is very good about being honest and authentic and making sure that she is guiding you in the right direction. She is non-judgmental she is a great listener but she also gives great advice and feedback and she also will give tough love if you need it which I think is great because there was a situation that I wasn't able to let go of and would gentle love and care she was able to help me release it and I'm really grateful. I think betterhelp.com is very lucky to have doctor okuda and she uses terrific there's just a million things I can just say about her but she just is so consistent and she's there when I need her and she makes time for me and she's just amazing so thank you so much

Reviewed July 2022

She’s the best therapist for me!

Reviewed April 2022

She is a wonderful coach and shoulder to lean on when things get tough.

Reviewed March 2022

She understands me and I’m grateful to her

Reviewed February 2022

You will not regret picking Dr. Okuda, enough said.

Reviewed February 2022

I had an absolutely amazing experience with Dr. Okunda. She supported me and gave me the greatest advice and guidance through my anxiety and stress. As a student, therapy with her was amazing at mitigating anxiety surrounding school and working through the struggles that come with being in your early 20's. She is incredibly knowledgeable and a great therapist, I would HIGHLY recommend her!

Reviewed January 2022

Dr. Kanako is such amazing therapist! My short but Grateful experience with her was awesome and she’s help me in so many ways possible. She’s a great listener, pays attention to every detail, and shows so much passion to help out. I would 10000% recommend her to anyone in need of a therapist! Thank you Kanako!!

Reviewed December 2021

Dr. Okuda is warm, friendly, patient, and deeply kind. She helped me work through a lot of stress and anxiety issues related to work, and has given me tools to better cope with these issues going forward. I learned a lot from her, and I really appreciate how she put certain things in perspective for me. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is dealing with stress, anxiety, career difficulties, and major life changes. She was so helpful on all fronts.

Reviewed November 2021

I have been seeing Dr. Okuda for almost a year now and I have to say she has really helped me. She is supportive, kind, and very intelligent. She has helped me see things I didn't know effected me and come to terms with who I am and how I can better myself. She listens so carefully and gives the best advice when I feel lost. I truly appreciate her and I am excited to be working with her to continue making me the best me I can be.

Reviewed September 2021

I really respect and love Dr.Okuda. I’m happy she’s my therapist. She’s saved me from me.

Reviewed September 2021

I always look forward to my weekly meetings with Dr. Okuda. She helped me when I was going through a hard time during lockdown. She helped me gain insight into my thoughts, feelings, and behavior so that I could become more grounded even while going through a lot of uncertainty and stress. I could not recommend her enough.

Reviewed July 2021

Dr Okuda is a highly intuitive, emotionally intelligent and intellectually stimulated being. It is very evident that she is an experienced Counselor. Meticulous in the way she conveys her thoughts, she is careful to relay her message while being mindful and respectful of environment and feelings. She is highly skilled and knows how to make you dig deep and discover things in the innermost depths of your soul through simple, yet thoughtful and deliberate questions with purpose which lead towards revelations and understandings that will help you unlock the next level, by acquiring a better understanding of yourself and the challenges, emotions, traits, cycles, people, and places which you may seek to deal with better now. Thank God for her presence and contribution to my world in this life.

Reviewed May 2021

Dr. Okuda has been helpful with my journey every step of the way. I can't imagine how I would be without her help. I appreciate everything she has done for me.

Reviewed May 2021

Best therapist ever

Reviewed April 2021

I could not ask for a better counselor. I feel heard, understood and supported. Dr. Okuda is amazing!!

Reviewed April 2021

Dr. Okuda has given me a lot of thoughtful insight which has helped me a great deal. I would recommend her in a heartbeat.

Reviewed March 2021

Dr. Okuda is very thoughtful and knowledgeable about what I’m going through. She sees things from various perspectives and gives reasoning behind what might be the cause. She keeps me in check and gently pushes me to dig deep which I always find enlightening. I am very happy to have her as my therapist/counselor/sage.

Reviewed January 2021

Dr. Okuda is extremely professional and amazing! She helps me realize who I am and gives me the space to be myself. I truly feel as though I've grown with her guidance.

Reviewed December 2020

Dr. Okuda has changed what I thought was possible not with just therapy, but with myself. She is a confidante, an advisor, a champion. I've never felt like I've had someone in my corner like this before. As a relative newbie to therapy too, she's carefully guided me through the process and the best ways to work together. I could instantly tell that our approach was tailored to just me and it makes a world of difference as a patient when you feel uniquely listened to. And enabled. Thanks for all that you've done and continue to do.

Reviewed September 2020

She is great

Reviewed August 2020

Dr Okuda is an incredible therapist. As a therapist myself, I can say that Dr Okuda has a beautiful balance of expertise and compassion.

Reviewed July 2020

Working with Dr. Okuda has been really really helpful as I was in the midst of a large transition in my life. She helped me to refocus and shift perspective, that’s has been extremely helpful in grounding myself a little more everyday.

Reviewed April 2020

She is helping me so much, I appreciate all the help I’ve been getting.

Reviewed April 2020

Kanako has been an invaluable source of support and compassion throughout a very difficult transitional phase of my life. I am eternally grateful that I met her on this platform and hope to continue working with her for a long time.

Reviewed March 2020

Dr. Okuda takes the time to respond thoroughly to my messages, even if they are lengthy. She addresses my points in a way where I can be sure she has considered them, and has expertise in handling similar situations. I am grateful to have her input at this time in my life.

Reviewed March 2020

Dr. Okuda is a warm, compassionate, and well-trained clinician. Highly highly recommend her. She validates me, encourages me to grow and push myself, and overall provides excellent support all within the confines of an online app. Thank you for your help, Dr Okuda!

Reviewed January 2020

I am so fortunate to have found Dr. Okuda; she is a kind, efficient, but equally important, a tactical and thoughtful professional. From our very first conversation, I’ve felt a sense of productivity and optimism that I really needed, and for that I am so grateful!

Reviewed November 2019

Dr. Okuda is a great listener and help. She takes her time to help you through things and find different ways to approach or handle a situation.

Reviewed November 2019

Dr. Okuda is really great. She has helped me a lot, and seems to genuinely care about my well-being. I feel that my sessions with Dr. Okuda have helped me. I think she is a very empathic individual. I would definitely recommend her to other people.

Reviewed November 2019

Dr. Okuda has opened my eyes to the benefit of therapy. She asks hard questions but also let’s me guide the conversation to where I want to focus. She is professional, kind, insightful, and has a sense of humor.

Reviewed November 2019

Dr. Okuda is great to work with has listened to my challenges and has helped me to work through some deep long term issues.

Reviewed September 2019

Dr. Okuda has been really helpful in listening to me and helping me go through my current challenges with patience and expertise. She is always responsive and available on BetterHelp which I believe makes a huge difference to the patients including me. I really appreciate her help and I strongly believe people who are currently experiencing anxiety issues would find help from her.

Reviewed August 2019

Working with Dr. Okuda has truly changed my life for the better. I joined BetterHelp when I was in a dark place and have truly had a huge turn around in my outlook and in how I handle day to day problems and frustrations.

Reviewed August 2019

Dr. Okuda is a wonderful counselor who supports me in my thoughts while steering me to a positive and healthy mindset within those thoughts. She wants to make sure I am okay by the end of a session, and even if I am not, she acknowledges that that is okay. She helps me look at thought patterns in a way that’s helpful in my ability to manage them and be at ease with them even in my sadness, and ideally, too, in my happiness. I would recommend Dr. Okuda to any friend or family member, she has been wonderful. :)

Reviewed August 2019

How was your experience with Kanako?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Kanako Okuda offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. Kanako Okuda works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. Kanako Okuda speak?

Dr. Kanako Okuda speaks English and Japanese.

How many years of experience does Dr. Kanako Okuda have?

Dr. Kanako Okuda has 18 years of experience.

Where is Dr. Kanako Okuda licensed to practice?

Dr. Kanako Okuda is licensed to practice in New York and Pennsylvania.

Does Dr. Kanako Okuda accept clients outside of the United States?

Yes, Dr. Kanako Okuda accepts clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

How can I communicate with Dr. Kanako Okuda?

Dr. Kanako Okuda can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. Kanako Okuda?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

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When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.