(Artwork by Gretchen Casey)
MCEC-RELATED MORITA PRACTITIONERS
(Periodically updated. This Update: November 2025)
*GRETCHEN CASEY
Casey+Robertson Art, Gainesville, Florida
https://caseyrobertsonart.com
Artist Statement: Gretchen Casey’s work is a reflection of her journey—one that bridges the raw, transformative power of social justice with the meditative beauty of art. After years spent facilitating restorative justice circles and championing victims' rights, she now finds solace and self-expression in the luminous medium of glass. Her mosaics, fused glass creations, and copper-enameled jewelry explore themes of transformation, connection, and resilience. Each piece is a dialogue between light and shadow, structure and fluidity, capturing the complexity of human experiences while celebrating the moments of beauty within them.
In the studio, Gretchen embraces an intuitive process, allowing the materials to guide her—a delicate interplay of control and surrender, much like her restorative work. On occasion, she steps away from her glass work and turns toward creating playful, expressive paintings, reveling in the freedom of a blank canvas. For Gretchen, art is more than an act of creation; it is a continuation of her life’s mission—to mend, to connect, and to find beauty in every fracture.
(Gretchen has studied Morita Therapy with Dr. Brian Ogawa since 1995. She has served for many years as MCEC’s Associate Trainer.)
*THERESA BENSON, PHD
Clinical Assistant Professor, The School of Professional Psychology
Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
https://health-education-human-services.wright.edu/professional-psychology
Clinical Assistant Professor Statement: Areas of interest include integrative health and wellness with focus on religion and spirituality; employee well-being; mindfulness-based practices and interventions; creativity, imagination, and expressive arts; clinical training and supervision; contemplative pedagogy; private practice management; trauma with specialty in intimate personal violence; post-traumatic growth; integrative psychotherapies with focus on positive psychology approaches; and intergroup dialogue.
(Theresa has completed numerous university graduate-level course work in Morita Therapy, taught by Dr. Brian Ogawa.)
*ROSELI WEST, LCSW
Clinical Director, NORA Mental Health. Tampa, Florida
(Bilingual: English and Spanish)
Therapist Statement: I am a compassionate, bilingual clinician (English/Spanish) and the Clinical Director of Nora Mental Health in Tampa, Florida, dedicated to helping individuals achieve personal growth and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. My therapeutic approach centers on fostering a safe, supportive environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences.
With over 10 years of experience providing mental health services in Tampa and beyond, I have worked with diverse populations, including adults, children, couples, families, and groups. My areas of specialization include depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, domestic violence, grief and loss, low self-esteem, assertiveness, and stress management. I am passionate about empowering individuals from all backgrounds to take control of their mental and emotional well-being.
I utilize a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Morita Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Interventions, and Grief Therapy. Whether you're seeking individual therapy, family counseling, or support for managing trauma or life transitions, my goal is to guide and support you on your journey toward healing, self-discovery, and a more fulfilling life.
(Roseli completed the Victim/Survivor Services and Morita Therapy Certificates, taught by Dr. Brian Ogawa at Washburn University)
*CESARIO GARCIA, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Seattle, Washington
https://www.bellevue-counseling.com/
Therapist Statement: I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and mental health therapist with extensive experience providing long-term mental health therapy to culturally diverse populations, including with adults, children, families, and individuals facing substance use challenges. My clinical experience centers around supporting individuals through trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, loss/grief, and low self-esteem. My approach to therapy draws from Internal Family Systems and somatic based approaches, and I utilize play therapy when working with children. I also incorporate experiential therapies such as art and sand tray therapy, and meditation. In 2017, I graduated from Washburn University with a Master of Social Work.
(Cesario completed the Victim/Survivor Services and Morita Therapy Certificates, taught by Dr. Brian Ogawa at Washburn University. He continues advanced training in the classic methods of Morita Therapy with Dr. Peg LeVine, Melbourne, Australia.)
*SAORI MIYAZAKI, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, San Francisco, California
(Bilingual: English and Japanese)
www.reflectwithme.com
Therapist Statement: Although my clinical foundation is psychodynamic therapy and other conventional Western Psychotherapy models, I have been utilizing Eastern Psychology models as well. Psychodynamic therapy is generally a long-term and an "explore your own repressed childhood memory" type of therapy. While I believe it is important to uncover the root of our intrusive thoughts/feelings, subconscious self-defense mechanisms, and problematic behaviors, I am also a strong believer in providing practical tools which my clients can utilize immediately. I found mindfulness concepts such as Morita Therapy (similar to Acceptance Commitment Therapy) and Constructive Living Model/Japanese Psychology concepts, including self-reflective Naikan Therapy, very helpful in this area. In both modalities, the clients are encouraged to be mindful of their current situation and are empowered to live their life constructively while they may still be experiencing some challenges.
(Saori received intensive residential training in Morita Therapy from Dr. Brian Ogawa, MCEC.)