Emi Ruiz, Operations Manager
Emi plays a vital role at LivingInsights, overseeing our day-to-day administrative operations with care and precision. Emi manages business development, personnel, client relations, accounts receivables, strategic communications, marketing, and a wide range of administrative tasks that keep our our operations running smoothly.
Hilary Valdez, Associate Counselor
Hilary is an author with several fiction and non-fiction books published. He brings a unique blend of deep resilience, global experience, and compassionate understanding to his work in trauma, relationships, and high-stress work environments. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Hilary holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, an MS in Counseling from San Diego State University, and advanced post-graduate training in Master Resiliency and Emergency Trauma Services. His Department of Defense career has spanned continents and cultures, helping individuals navigate life’s most complex emotional challenges with strength and clarity.
Hilary has counseled foreigners living in Japan as they navigate the nuances of cultural integration, and has coached Japanese salarymen on resilience and overcoming adversity. Hilary is a member of the American Counseling Association and shares his insights in a monthly Stars & Stripes newspaper column on mental health and resilience. He resides in Japan with his wife of 35+ years.
Hilary will soon be taking a limited number of English-speaking clients living in Japan who are in need of Executive-Employee-Student Assistance Counseling (EE-SAC), or non-medical counseling services for the international community in Japan including working professionals, c-suite executives, college students, couples, families, children, adolescents, military personnel, civilian employees, and retirees. For now, we will add new clients to our wait list until Hilary’s caseload opens up.
To help us determine whether your needs are within our capability and scope of practice, please click here to complete our confidential, HIPPA-compliant, secured screening form.
Esther Dacanay, Associate Counselor
Esther holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from San Diego State University, a master’s in School Counseling from Azusa Pacific University, coach certifications in career, executive, life transformation, and neuroscience, and a second master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University, with core coursework completion in Marriage & Family Therapy.
Esther’s vast career experience includes work in media/public affairs in both private and government sectors and corporate communications coaching for c-suite executives. She is also a seasoned school counselor with experience in public, private, and Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) schools.
Esther holds certifications in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer), Prime for Life (substance abuse awareness & prevention), Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Symbis Relationship Facilitator, Gottman Level One Relationship Counselor, and is a member of the American Counseling Association. Her current and valid state licensure includes a PPS (Pupil Personnel Services) for School Counseling, QMHP-A (Qualified Mental Health Professional – Associate), and is currently in the registration process for an APCC (Associate Professional Clinical Counselor) certification. She plans to serve as a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) at some point in her counseling career. Some of her counseling modalities include Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Esther currently resides in Japan with her husband of 20+ years, their teen daughter, and two Norwegian Forest Cats.
Under the clinical supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Esther is currently taking a limited number of English-speaking clients living in Japan who are in need of Executive-Employee-Student Assistance Counseling (EE-SAC), or non-medical counseling services for the international community in Japan including working professionals, c-suite executives, college students, couples, families, stay-at-home spouses, children, adolescents, diplomats, military personnel, the federal civilian workforce, and retirees.
To help us determine whether your needs are within our capability and scope of practice, please click here to complete our confidential, HIPPA-compliant, secured screening form.
