Hiroko received a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Fukuoka Women's College and her first Master’s in Japanese History from University of Kyusyu. Upon her graduation, she came to St. George, Utah as a Japanese teacher at Pine View High School in 2001. After staying at home until her youngest child started school full time, she worked as a special education aide and then as a caregiver at a elderly people’s group home. Subsequently, she earned her second Master’s in Social Work at University of Utah.

Her theoretical orientations are Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. She endeavors to keep the delicate balance of acceptance and change.

She loves to read good books, listen to uplifting talks, walk under the big old trees, sing the beautiful songs at choirs, and cook delicious meals with her family.