Tokyo Families Magazine Articles: therapy for adults, families, children, and adolescents in Tokyo
The Tokyo Meguro Counseling Center has been providing community education on a number of psychological topics with a focus on adults, families, and children relevant to expatriates through the Tokyo Families Magazine. This page presents an archive of these articles.
Anger Management - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
I have an anger management problem and don’t suffer fools well. Can you help me?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - February 2016
Stress or Eating Disorder - Dr. Berger
Dr. Berger's opinion on eating disorders.
Tokyo Families Fitness Focus - April 2015
Relationship With Illegitimate Child - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My husband of 3 years just told me that he has a 1-year-old child from an affair and wants to maintain a relationship with this child. What should I do?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - April 2015
Electronic Devices and Children - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
How do you draw the line between a healthy use of electronic devices and over use?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - December 2014
Effectiveness of Psychotherapy - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
I have had psychotherapy for many years with different therapists, why don’t I get better?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - August 2014
Psychological Testing for Children - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
We have heard psychological testing is time consuming and costly. When would you use psychological testing on children and what are its pros and cons?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - February 2014
Divorce by International Couples - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
Please tell us about divorce for international couples from a counseling center’s perspective.
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - September 2013
Economy and Mental Health - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
What is the relationship between the economy and mental health?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - May 2013, p. 29
ADD in Children - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My child has ADD, what special learning needs will they have?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - January 2013
Asperger’s Disorder - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My 3 year-old son has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder. Can you help him?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - September 2012
What kind of reactions can a parent have if they are left by their spouse? - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
What kind of reactions can a parent have if they are left by their spouse?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - May 2012
How has Internet social networking affected children and their mental health care? - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
How has Internet social networking affected children and their mental health care?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - March 2012
Do Japanese-Western relationships work? - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
Do Japanese-Western relationships work?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - November 2011
Single-parent Households - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
What are the possible consequences to children being raised by a single-parent than those from two-parent households?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - June 2011
Concerned Parent - Dr. Berger
QUESTION 1:
How do you know if you are raising a sociopathic child?
QUESTION 2:
From what age is it evident?
QUESTION 3:
Would you advise parents to tell the school that the child has been diagnosed with sociopathic behaviour?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - March 2011
Illness or Personality Issue? - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My spouse has been told she has a depression but she is reluctant to engage in therapy or take medication. Can you help me understand the reasons for this and what to do about it?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - December 2010
Pride and Prejudice - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
We are a Dutch/Irish family raising kids in Tokyo. I would like to seek advice about my eldest son, 14 years of age. We are concerned he may have a personality disorder. He is too much to handle for me and my wife. He has a difficulty accepting blame and is always defensive, which puts me to shame when I am called by the school for his untoward behaviour. He thinks he is superior to everyone and is too self-indulgent, which has become quite of a challenge, to be honest. What should I do?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - October 2010
I Don't Recall - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My husband habitually forgets appointments, where he puts his keys, what he said, etc. I am sure that it is not Alzheimer's disease. What could be causing it and how can this be treated?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - September 2010, p. 30
Hooked on the 'Book - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
Dr. Berger comments on online social networking
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Cover Story - July 2010, p. 15
Silent Night - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My wife talks and gnashes her teeth in her sleep. Is there a cure for this? I need a good night's sleep!
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - May 2010, p. 31
Emotional Diferences - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
I come from a Latin family where being demonstrative is part of an expression of affections. Growing up, "Good morning", "Hello", and "Goodbye" were expressed with an embrace, kiss, or hug. My wife, being Japanese, had not been exposed to such an environment and therefore has indirectly influenced our kids, 6 and 8, who think showing affection by hugs and kisses is funny. I am extremely concerned that my children are slowly falling into this unhealthy pattern. How can I get my children to learn early that showing affection is a normal demonstration of parental love?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - April 2010, p. 31
The Baby Blues - Drs. Eames and Berger
QUESTION:
A good friend of mine delivered her first baby, a girl, four weeks ago. I have visited with her several times since the delivery and have noticed that she seems less active than I was after the births of my two sons. She also does not seem like the cheerful person she was prior to the birth. I have heard about the baby blues and postpartum depression and am wondering if she should just give this phase a little more time to pass, or should I suggest she get some help?
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - March 2010, p. 31
Time Out - Drs. Eames and Berger
QUESTION:
I know it is common for couples to have disagreements, but it seems that with my husband and I, we often escalate the conversation into a full-on shouting match. In the end, we are both feeling hurt and exhausted. Do you have any advice on how to avoid this situation? Stephanie
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - January 2010, p. 30
Man in Crisis - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
I am a foreign dad in his early 50s, a science teacher by profession, twice divorced and am in the middle of an emotional, financial, and psychological crisis. I have enormous debts to pay, no job security, and most importantly, I am suffering from loneliness and low esteem.
I frequently feel lonely even in a crowd and I feel empty and lost with not knowing what direction to take in my life. To assuage this loneliness, I resort to compulsive shopping, have a girlfriend for physical intimacy and loneliness, and also look online to find a life partner. I feel obsessed with finding an ideal partner, I idealize women, and feel frustrated when they fall short of my standards.
I admit to a long-standing nature of being a domineering man and want neither to be bossed around nor treated coldly by a woman. I have zero tolerance when it comes to being the subject of blame and I suspect that my defensive nature has caused relationships to fail and has alienated people. What’s wrong with me? Marc
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - December 2009, p. 30
Moving to Japan - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
We will be moving to Japan soon and have heard that there are many stresses of living in a Japanese community. Do you have any advice? Branson family
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - September 2009, p. 32
Student's self-esteem - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My 12-year-old son is in his second year of middle school. He has always been shy. On his fourth day of his first year in middle school, he had a very intense altercation with his homeroom teacher and now doesn’t go to the class. He does go to the school, now with another homeroom teacher, but studies in a spare room by himself for a few hours and then comes home after lunch. He takes and passes the tests. Even if the teacher brings him to the door of the class he refuses to go in. He plays well with his friends and also goes to night classes at a Japanese juku school happily. He is bright and cheerful, and cooperates well with his parents’ instructions. What should I do? Pam
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - August 2009, p. 30
Your child and life's reality - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
I am a divorced mother of a 16-year-old daughter. I am very concerned that she has no “real” friends and spends too much time on the computer blogging when not doing school work. I suspect that my daughter had taken the divorce hard when her father left us five years ago. Her school grades have deteriorated and she has a strong resentment for her father. In fact, I discovered some scribbled hate notes about her father on a scratch paper when I last cleaned her room. I am so concerned that she failed to pass her exams this year and does not have a clue as to what might be the solution. Her father and I are worried that she does not even want us to take her to a psychiatrist. Could something be wrong? Yuka
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - July 2009, p. 37
How to deal with depression - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
Since I moved to Tokyo, it seems that my wife does not get out of the house and have friends like she used to. She is always tired and does not have energy to do activities with me on the weekend. This is completely out of character and I am worried that she may be depressed. I discussed this with her but she denies that there is anything wrong. How can I convince her to get help? John
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - Jun 2009, p. 35
Compulsive shopping: a disorder? - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
My wife and I have been married for 15 years. We have been blessed with a good life but my wife is a shopaholic. This has been the subject of our frequent debates because she won’t see things logically. What do I do? -William
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - May 2009, p. 35
Culture clash - Dr. Berger
QUESTION:
I was transferred to the Japanese branch of my company 3 months ago where most of the staff are Japanese. Initially everyone was very friendly, having welcome parties and inviting me to social activities after work. Now they seem distant and don’t ask me out anymore. Is this normal? Did I do something wrong? Dean S.
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - April 2009, p. 37
Private investigations - Dr. Eames
QUESTION:
Tell us the warning signs of stress, depression, panic, eating, personality disorders? TF
ANSWER:
Tokyo Families Ask The Expert - January 2009, p. 37
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The Meguro Counseling Center consists of Western-trained therapists able to provide face-to-face mental-health care for the international community in Tokyo. With extensive experience in Japan, these therapists have a deep understanding of the stresses of living in Japan.