Andy Motoi Studer, AMFT #155068.

ABOUT ME

A creative background.

I was born to two musician parents: a Japanese singer songwriter mother and an American keyboardist father. When you grow up in the entertainment industry, it is its own sort of a bubble.

As a kid, life in music was two-sided. Expressing myself through words often felt precarious, but the violin became a real voice for me in adolescence and also a means of understanding my own feelings. There was a real feeling of confidence and grounding in this. At the same time, it felt like the only way to be seen and appreciated was through performance, even in relating to others. Life was a performance, and everything was hinging on being great.

Working with other artists and labels and appearing on programs like NPR’s Tiny Desk brought joy into my life, and amazing, creative relationships. Still, I craved a fulfillment that I couldn’t put into words, and I felt my vitality was hitting a wall.

Through therapy, I learned to better understand my thoughts, feelings, and creative spirit, and worked through childhood traumas and relational difficulties. In better understanding my map, I was able to rediscover my love for creating, and to grow my ability to support others elsewhere as a therapist.

Approach

In session, I utilize techniques and concepts from attachment theory and depth psychology.

  • Attachment theory focuses on the dynamics experienced with primary caregivers in childhood. Attachment determines our abilities to feel connected and safe in relationship to others.

  • Thoughts, feelings, and attachment styles become explorable and reparative in session with a here-and-now approach.

  • Multicultural therapy allows for exploration of cultural narratives, dichotomous thinking patterns, intergenerational trauma, or even culture-specific roles of emotions like pride or shame.

  • Depth psychology utilizes dream analysis, free association, and activate imagination to explore unconscious processes for more open and creative self-expression.

FAQ

  • Sessions will be shaped around your personal journey, and I take an approach that is attuned to your needs in the moment. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, family issues, multicultural concerns, and gender identity.

  • There is the concept of the “good enough” therapist, where a therapist meets your needs from an adequately empathetic approach. Sometimes, it is a gut feeling whether a therapist is the right choice. Consultations with different therapists allows for an opportunity to experience different therapeutic processes and styles, and to gauge the best working relationship for you.

  • I understand the overwhelm that can accompany high standards around artistic pursuits. Perfectionism, obsessiveness, feeling scattered, or even putting things off. Talking through creative process can lead to more clarity around your creative vision. This is a space for you to work it out.

  • Childhood trauma and PTSD impact a person’s sense of self and general sense of well-being. Trauma can cause innocent emotions, like shame, to become over identified with. This can manifest as depression, anxiety, or feelings of emptiness. Working through trauma is a significant undertaking that I am here to support you with.

  • Born in a multiracial family and raised by a first generation immigrant mother from Japan, I have personal experience with double consciousness. It is complex to live within dominant culture narratives and frameworks, and navigate oppression as a person of color. I am here to support you from a multicultural therapy approach that factors in oppression, and considers all aspects of your lived experience and racial identity.

  • Being neurodiverse invites good reason to be supported and understood. Neurodivergence has nuanced effects on a person’s life and deserves the appropriate conversations around a person’s lived experience. I have experience working with neurodiversity in autism spectrum, ADHD, memory, and sensory perception concerns.

  • I love to write music, listen to albums, go for walks, watch movies, and jam with friends! Journaling has become a therapeutic practice in my life as well.

SERVICES

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Individual Therapy

I offer 50 minute sessions at $125. Sliding scale available.

I offer Telehealth therapy to individuals, couples, families, and adolescents.

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Couples Therapy

I offer 80 minute sessions at $175.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

Reading Recommendations

Complex PTSD by Pete Walker

Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro

What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo

Scattered by Gabor Mate

The Inner World of Trauma: Archetypal Defenses of the Personal Spirit by Donald Kalsched

Trauma

Creativity

Notes on Self-Care for Creative Humans by Yumi Sakugawa

Inner Work by Robert A. Johnson

The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller

The Essential Rumi by Coleman Banks

Attachment

The Power of Attachment by Diane Poole Heller

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

Connecting with the Autism Spectrum

The Power of Neurodiversity by Thomas Armstrong, PhD.

Neurodiversity

Multicultural

Our Migrant Souls by Hector Tobar

We real cool: Black Men and Masculinity by bell hooks

Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong

Contact

Please reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call.

Email
andymotoistuder@gmail.com

Phone
(323) 487-9625

Location
10866 Washington Blvd

Culver City, CA 90232

Hours
Email for availability.