About
My name is Sheila Kubota.
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW #74356) in the state of California, and am a certified perinatal mental health specialist (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International.
Working with me is typically sprinkled with warmth, leaning hard into self-compassion, recognizing your values & worth, and humor/sarcasm which leads to lots of laughter and lots of facial expressions (no neutral face here - I’m not that kind of therapist - but who knows, I haven’t dabbled into botox yet).
Things I do
I absolutely love being a perinatal mental health therapist in my own private practice, and that has allowed me to expand to do other roles too!
I am a proud partner with Hanabusa IVF clinic where I provide free support groups for both Hanabusa IVF patients and individuals/couples navigating infertility, IVF, or considering treatment.
I also am a teacher at the New Mom School at Liberty Station and love sitting in the circle with moms and their babies sharing my knowledge with them.
I have always loved being connected to the community when I was working closer with non-profits and community agencies in my time at the hospitals, and I have bridged that now by being a proud board member of Sister League of San Diego, a nonprofit that provides support and stable housing to women in recovery. In addition to serving on the board, I volunteer my time providing support groups to the residents and mental health consulting for the agency's programming. It is a wonderful place to give back, and I encourage you to see what is happening there. They welcome both monetary and service donations of all kinds!
I have been working in the field since 2008, and started with Child Welfare Services. I quickly realized that the amount of change needed for my approach was bound behind a behemoth of systems and policies with competing needs, where attachment and safety seemed to be in constant conflict.
How I got here
I was able to fortify my clinical skills in crisis, trauma, grief, loss, mental health assessments and critical incident debriefs, working as a medical social worker in two incredible hospital institutions - a women’s specialty hospital (with the most babies delivered in all of California!) as well as a large pediatric hospital. I spent the bulk of my career as a floor social worker walking alongside families as they navigated infertility, ivf treatments, surrogacy, high risk pregnancies, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, NICU admissions, ICU admissions for both mother and child, infant loss, medically complex diagnoses (for mother and child), and various presentations of perinatal mental health disorders. Here is where my clinical love language also grew towards providing space for the duality healthcare workers face between giving intensively to others while also experiencing their own personal struggles.
I was fortunate to dip into leadership and supervise an incredible team of medical social workers and child life specialists, and learn from dynamic leaders among constantly shifting demands of the pandemic. The burnout in healthcare workers during the pandemic was incredibly taxing to be in and around, as the tragedy that was the pandemic was also punctuated with rising rates of child abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. I felt stuck between supporting clinicians and trying to do more with less. When reassessing how I could thrive in my work world, I felt drawn back to the perinatal support realm, but this time as a therapist and consultant.
My own perinatal challenges
When I was struggling with my own pregnancy loss, postpartum anxiety, panic and depression, I was attempting to compartmentalize while supporting others. Looking back, I wish it hadn’t taken me as long as it did to really address my own care. I played the comparative suffering game often, while encouraging others to prioritize themselves, that their feelings are valid, and they deserve space.
Fast forward to present day: I have gained so much from my own therapy, my incredible support system, my talented colleagues, and owning that I am a human (with doubts and flaws) committed to getting curious about my perspectives and movement through this life. This phase of my work life, jumping into private practice, is my most fulfilling: connecting and supporting humans in mental health therapy, consulting with brilliant minds, and inviting you all to shine your light in any way you can (even if it is barely flickering).
Outside of work
Oh wait - did you want to know about me, like my non-work self? I am mixed race, and grew up living all over the US and abroad as a Navy brat. I met my phenomenal husband in college and we have been together ever since, raising 3 hilarious (and cuddly) kiddos, one of which is a rainbow baby. I have two dogs, 3 cats and 3 chickens (living out my childhood dreams to have a pet). I love soaking in the sun, snorkeling when the water is warm enough, playing with plants, crafting, cooking and impromptu dance offs with the family.
Let’s talk.
Come as you are, real and unfiltered. Together, let's redefine 'wellness' for you, and find out how I can best support you to glow from within. Email me or text me to get started!
