Mihoko Arayama

Biography

Miho is a psychodynamic psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience, working with children, adolescents, and adults. Her career began in Japan, where she supported infants and their parents, sparking a deep interest in early childhood development and psychoanalytic theory. Following her move to the UK, Miho completed further studies and clinical training in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Since then, she has worked extensively in educational settings as a school counsellor, offering therapeutic support, staff consultations, and clinical supervision for both qualified and trainee therapists. Currently, Miho is undertaking a professional doctorate at the University of Essex, where her research focuses on creating therapeutic spaces within school settings that enable clients to engage with and process emotional difficulties. PUBLICATIONS Chapter: "The search for belonging - An unfolding story" in: French L & Klein R (Eds) Bringing Our Histories into School-Based Therapy (152-161). London. Routledge. 2023. CONFERENCES PPS Student Reseach Conference 2025 - Haunting the Future: Insanity in Uncertain Times.

Qualifications

• MA in Education (Psychology) University of Kobe (Japan) (1995)

• PGDip in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies University of East London (The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust) (2001)

• MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents Birkbeck, University of London (2012)

Thesis