Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu Ed.D.

About

Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu, Ed.D., is a psychologist in the Stanford University School of Medicine's program in Health and Human Performance, and teaches in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. Through narrative and use of self he creates transformative educational spaces at Stanford, schools, and governmental organizations for mindful, appreciative, and connected inquiry to address global and local issues in education and health. His teaching, research, counseling, and training focus on crossing human and institutional borders to connectedness and wholeness through respect for diverse forms of knowledge, worldviews and ways of being.

Trained as a teacher and clinical psychologist, he is a graduate of Harvard University, former professor at Tokyo University, Fulbright scholar, APA fellow, and president of the Nichibei Care Network that promotes mental health in Japanese communities. The author of books in Japanese and English including When Half is Whole, Multicultural Encounters, and Synergy, Healing and Empowerment, and From Mindfulness to Heartfulness: Transforming Self and Society with Compassion.

Books by Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu Ed.D.

Recent Posts

Healing Through Creative Arts

Writing poetry is healing, and when someone dies a burst of creativity may be born.

Writing poetry is healing, and when someone dies a burst of creativity may be born.

Finding Meaning in Loss, Grief, and Saying Goodbye

"If you are not planning on losing any loved ones, these lessons don't apply to you."

"If you are not planning on losing any loved ones, these lessons don't apply to you."

Shrink Mindset: A Child Therapist’s Warning About 'Growth'

Instead of relying on unproven doctrines to make children more like we want them to be, let's use research-based strategies to teach them that they're already just right.

Instead of relying on unproven doctrines to make children more like we want them to be, let's use research-based strategies to teach them that they're already just right.

A Japanese Grandmother’s Heartful Final Message at 111 Years

She had taught me to always be grateful for what I was given. And at the end of her life, it was still the most important lesson.

She had taught me to always be grateful for what I was given. And at the end of her life, it was still the most important lesson.

Vulnerability, Acceptance, and Courage in Japanese Culture

By recognizing and acknowledging where we are, we discover new possibilities and freedoms within the limits of the immediate context in which we find ourselves.

By recognizing and acknowledging where we are, we discover new possibilities and freedoms within the limits of the immediate context in which we find ourselves.

Taking a Resiliency Pause

How do you find calm when there is so much stress and struggle with no clear end in sight? I want to share what has been helpful to me and thousands of people.

How do you find calm when there is so much stress and struggle with no clear end in sight? I want to share what has been helpful to me and thousands of people.

KAMALA! Black and Asian Biracial Identities

“Blasians” like Kamala Harris and Naomi Osaka are showing how identity consciousness is overcome by a sense of identity won in action.

“Blasians” like Kamala Harris and Naomi Osaka are showing how identity consciousness is overcome by a sense of identity won in action.

The Japanese Art of Loneliness

Is it possible to cherish loneliness as a reminder of how much we love?

Is it possible to cherish loneliness as a reminder of how much we love?

Joe Biden's Healing Journey Through Grief

Loss is the price all of us must pay for still being here. But if you’re not planning on losing any loved ones, these lessons don't apply to you: Learning the lessons of grief.

Loss is the price all of us must pay for still being here. But if you’re not planning on losing any loved ones, these lessons don't apply to you: Learning the lessons of grief.

Humility and Ego: A Lesson in Leadership

As we gain more mastery and control in our lives, how do we remain humble and open to new learning?

As we gain more mastery and control in our lives, how do we remain humble and open to new learning?