⚲ LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA
Hibuki Therapy involves a therapeutic plush toy dog with long paws designed for hugging. Hibuki gives a hug to every child. This soothing companion helps children feel connected and supported as they navigate daily life.
Hibuki Therapy
No child is left unhugged
What is Hibuki Therapy like?
As with any therapeutic process, we begin by creating a safe space where the child feels protected and free to express themselves.
If appropriate, the therapist gently introduces Hibuki, a plush toy dog, as a companion to help the child reconnect with their inner strengths.
Through playful interactions, guided by the therapist, Hibuki becomes more than just a toy — it supports the child in addressing the challenges that brought them to therapy. Hibuki therapy incorporates play and expressive arts, helping children process life changes and build resilience.
Caring for Hibuki empowers the child, fostering a sense of control and strength to cope with difficult experiences.
Through playful interactions, guided by the therapist, Hibuki becomes more than just a toy — it supports the child in addressing the challenges that brought them to therapy. Hibuki therapy incorporates play and expressive arts, helping children process life changes and build resilience.
Caring for Hibuki empowers the child, fostering a sense of control and strength to cope with difficult experiences.
We help with
With Hibuki Therapy, we can help children with stress and trauma-related issues, including
Anxiety, fears
Disruptions in emotion regulation
Sleep disturbance
Grief and loss
Tantrums
Separation anxiety
Avoidance or refusal of regular activities
Life transitions, such as the birth of a sibling, family relocation, or parental separation/divorce
How we work
We love Hibuki Therapy because it easily adapts to a child's individual needs.
It is especially beneficial for those who find it difficult to express their emotions verbally or are working through feelings of insecurity. Through play and interaction with Hibuki, children can safely express and explore their emotions while building confidence and resilience.
Meet our therapist
experienced in Hibuki Therapy
MA, LMFT
Svetlana has a friend, a plush puppy named Hibuki, who is always there to love, support, and hug any child who wants to connect with him.
Certified Hibuki Therapist
FAQ
About Hibuki Therapy
Since its creation in 2006, Hibuki Therapy has been the subject of ongoing research into its effectiveness in healing trauma in children.This method was further developed by Dafna Sharon-Maksimov, an educational psychologist and international expert in trauma and post-trauma work with children and adolescents.
Studies have shown that Hibuki Therapy has a long-lasting impact on addressing childhood trauma, helping to:
- Increase the child's resilience
- Unfold the child's creativity
- Reduce somatic symptoms associated with trauma, such as sleep disturbances, headaches, and hyperactivation of the nervous system
- Address issues like passivity, indifference, and lack of interest in communication
- Support the development of imagination and the child's ability to think about the future
In addition to the carefully thought-out design of the Hibuki toy dog, the Hibuki Therapy method is grounded in a solid theoretical basis. According to studies, after completing a full course (6-10 sessions) of Hibuki Therapy, symptoms of psychological trauma were completely eliminated in 95% of children.
Studies have shown that Hibuki Therapy has a long-lasting impact on addressing childhood trauma, helping to:
- Increase the child's resilience
- Unfold the child's creativity
- Reduce somatic symptoms associated with trauma, such as sleep disturbances, headaches, and hyperactivation of the nervous system
- Address issues like passivity, indifference, and lack of interest in communication
- Support the development of imagination and the child's ability to think about the future
In addition to the carefully thought-out design of the Hibuki toy dog, the Hibuki Therapy method is grounded in a solid theoretical basis. According to studies, after completing a full course (6-10 sessions) of Hibuki Therapy, symptoms of psychological trauma were completely eliminated in 95% of children.
It's important to emphasize that Hibuki toy dogs are never bought for the children by the parents. They are a therapeutic tool used exclusively by specially trained and supportive adults, such as therapists, counselors, doctors, and Hibuki group facilitators. Children can only receive Hibuki from these professionals, and parents are never required to pay for the toy.
If a therapist determines that a child would benefit from having their own Hibuki, the toy dog will become part of the child's therapy process, going home with them. However, for some children, simply meeting Hibuki in the therapy room may be more beneficial.
If a therapist determines that a child would benefit from having their own Hibuki, the toy dog will become part of the child's therapy process, going home with them. However, for some children, simply meeting Hibuki in the therapy room may be more beneficial.
For Hibuki Therapy to be successful, it is crucial that parents support their child’s interactions with Hibuki in a non-judgmental, respectful, and accepting manner. If a child receives Hibuki as a companion for everyday life, parents need to be sensitive to the child’s relationship with their toy dog.
The therapist will guide parents on how to respond to various situations that may arise at home, ensuring they are equipped to support the therapeutic process effectively.
The therapist will guide parents on how to respond to various situations that may arise at home, ensuring they are equipped to support the therapeutic process effectively.
Hibuki Therapy is typically most beneficial for children aged 5 to 11 years old. However, many adolescents and adults also find interaction with Hibuki to be therapeutic, so there is no age limit.
Since its creation in 2006, Hibuki Therapy has been the subject of ongoing research into its effectiveness in healing trauma in children.This method was further developed by Dafna Sharon-Maksimov, an educational psychologist and international expert in trauma and post-trauma work with children and adolescents.
Studies have shown that Hibuki Therapy has a long-lasting impact on addressing childhood trauma, helping to:
- Increase the child's resilience
- Unfold the child's creativity
- Reduce somatic symptoms associated with trauma, such as sleep disturbances, headaches, and hyperactivation of the nervous system
- Address issues like passivity, indifference, and lack of interest in communication
- Support the development of imagination and the child's ability to think about the future
In addition to the carefully thought-out design of the Hibuki toy dog, the Hibuki Therapy method is grounded in a solid theoretical basis. According to studies, after completing a full course (6-10 sessions) of Hibuki Therapy, symptoms of psychological trauma were completely eliminated in 95% of children.
Studies have shown that Hibuki Therapy has a long-lasting impact on addressing childhood trauma, helping to:
- Increase the child's resilience
- Unfold the child's creativity
- Reduce somatic symptoms associated with trauma, such as sleep disturbances, headaches, and hyperactivation of the nervous system
- Address issues like passivity, indifference, and lack of interest in communication
- Support the development of imagination and the child's ability to think about the future
In addition to the carefully thought-out design of the Hibuki toy dog, the Hibuki Therapy method is grounded in a solid theoretical basis. According to studies, after completing a full course (6-10 sessions) of Hibuki Therapy, symptoms of psychological trauma were completely eliminated in 95% of children.
It's important to emphasize that Hibuki toy dogs are never bought for the children by the parents. They are a therapeutic tool used exclusively by specially trained and supportive adults, such as therapists, counselors, doctors, and Hibuki group facilitators. Children can only receive Hibuki from these professionals, and parents are never required to pay for the toy.
If a therapist determines that a child would benefit from having their own Hibuki, the toy dog will become part of the child's therapy process, going home with them. However, for some children, simply meeting Hibuki in the therapy room may be more beneficial.
If a therapist determines that a child would benefit from having their own Hibuki, the toy dog will become part of the child's therapy process, going home with them. However, for some children, simply meeting Hibuki in the therapy room may be more beneficial.
For Hibuki Therapy to be successful, it is crucial that parents support their child’s interactions with Hibuki in a non-judgmental, respectful, and accepting manner. If a child receives Hibuki as a companion for everyday life, parents need to be sensitive to the child’s relationship with their toy dog.
The therapist will guide parents on how to respond to various situations that may arise at home, ensuring they are equipped to support the therapeutic process effectively.
The therapist will guide parents on how to respond to various situations that may arise at home, ensuring they are equipped to support the therapeutic process effectively.
Hibuki Therapy is typically most beneficial for children aged 5 to 11 years old. However, many adolescents and adults also find interaction with Hibuki to be therapeutic, so there is no age limit.
Contacts
Our psychotherapy and counseling practice is conveniently located on the border of Los Altos and Mountain View in the San Francisco Bay Area, very close to Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Cupertino and San Jose.
MA, AMFT
MA, LMFT
MA, AMFT, APCC
In case of emergency, please don't submit this form.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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