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Yuko Uchikawa
Restorative Justice, Facilitator & Mediator
CREATING THE CONDITIONS
When the waves are too strong to swim through alone
I work with people and organizations experiencing conflict. I create the conditions for conversations to begin. Restorative justice and mediation's core practice is dialogue. Dialogue centers listening and learning. It is not a debate for one side to win. Through dialogue, we dive deeper into understanding—both self and other. Stories surface and needs become visible. What seemed impossible to say may find its way into the room. Together, we build the space for people to take accountability.
Explore the work
WHO IS THIS FOR
Something has to change—That's where we begin
Conflicts, left unresolved, almost always return. This work is for people who know something has to change and is willing to begin the work of understanding what has happened and work through the discomfort of conflict.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
You are in a conflict that keeps coming back.
"We've tried to work it out ourselves. It keeps circling back. We don't know how to have this conversation without it getting worse."
I create a space where I listen without judgment, both sides can speak and be genuinely heard.
FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKERS & CAREGIVERS
You feel hopeless and overwhelmed.
"I am feeling numb and resentful at work. I get sick every time I slow down or take a vacation."
My vicarious trauma training helps individuals and teams understand and recognize signs of burnout, metabolize what they are absorbing, and build sustainable practices of care.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS & SCHOOLS
"Us vs Them" dynamic has developed at work.
"There's a rupture in our team. We have been avoiding talking to one another. We need support to find a way forward."
I facilitate organizational mediations and restorative justice circles for groups to work through conflicts and rebuild relationships and community.
WHAT OPENTALK OFFERS
I bring 25 years of practice to every conversation
There are three ways for us to work together.
Each engagement is shaped around your specific situation.
01
Restorative Justice Facilitation
Rooted in Indigenous practice, RJ facilitation brings together people in conflict with the participation and support of the community to work through conflicts. Convened by a Circle keeper, the circle is a space for every voice to be heard. Together, we bring to the surface what is needed and how to "makes things right" as much as possible. Accountability is discussed and decided with the support of the community.
Additional RJ Circles
— Peacemaking
— Community building
— Justice-centered dialogues
— Group gathering, i.e. meetings, trainings, retreats
FOR: ORGANIZATIONS, GROUPS, AND SCHOOLS
03
Training & Consulting
I offer trainings and organizational consulting that build relationships and internal capacity. Experiential, embodied, and dynamic, these trainings provide an environment to learn in and with your community.
Delivered in-person (preferred) or virtually.
— Vicarious Trauma & Self-Care
— Transforming Conflicts
— Introduction to Restorative Justice
— Community building
Custom curriculum available
Half-day, full-day, and multi-session formats
FOR: ORGANIZATIONS · GOVERNMENT AGENCIES · SCHOOLS
02
Mediation
Mediation is a facilitated dialogue. As a mediator, I remain impartial and support the parties to listen and understand each other. Mediators do not determine right or wrong or decide the outcome. Resolution, if achieved, is up to the people in conflict. Mediations are voluntary and confidential. If both sides cannot come together, individual conflict coaching is an alternative to work through the conflict.
— Interpersonal conflict
— Workplace conflict
— Family & community disputes
FOR: INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS
04
Not sure what is best for you?
If you are not sure what kind of support and process you need, please contact me to figure out what might be the right path for you.
THE APPROACH
Not neutral—
Present
Traditional mediation describes the facilitator as a "neutral third party."
In the context of racism and other forms of oppression, neutrality is a privileged position. In my practice, the lived experiences of those in the room are not set aside—they are part of the conversation.
Conflict, like the ocean, is powerful, unpredictable, and difficult to control
We can struggle against the water or learn how to be in it. When waves of conflict are too large, we can dive under and surface on the other side. We can tread when we are tired, float when we need a break, swim when we have the strength. Waiting until the waves subside might open a new path. We might learn to catch some waves and ride ashore.
I help people navigate the turbulent waters of conflict. Restorative justice and mediation's core practice is dialogue. Not debate. Not problem-solving. Dialogue—a conversation that centers learning over agreement.
Through dialogue, we dive deeper into understanding—both self and other. Stories, ideas, experiences surface. Assumptions, inequities, needs, and values are revealed. We take a breath above water. We dive back. We keep our eyes on the shore.
“ I don't determine right or wrong. I create the conditions for participants to listen deeply, learn, and reflect—because I believe the people in conflict have the capacity to create the solutions that are best for them. ”
HOW THE WORK IS DONE
The work of
transforming conflicts
Conflict is a part of life. It can be destructive or constructive. Facing conflicts with support, we can go below the surface. Beneath the surface there are needs, values, histories, that help us understand the true "heat" of the conflict and how to cool it. Dialogue is the process that brings these elements to the surface. When we are in conflict our nervous systems are activated. Supporting those in conflict to shift from reacting (fight, flight, freeze) to responding by bringing our attention to the body is an integral component of my practice.
THE SIX PRINCIPLES
IN THEIR WORDS
What people say about the work
Restorative Justice & Mediation
“
In my 30+ years of professional work experience, no other group facilitator has made this kind of personal connection and care as deeply. Presence. Powerful presence of careful, deep listening. Making the connections from across the circle.
ACTIVIST
California · Restorative Justice Circle
“
Your presence — warm, expansive, allowing, vulnerable, holding capacity — allowed our entire group to be more vulnerable than I have ever experienced. You listened when people needed more time and yet you kept to your objectives. You are such a skillful facilitator.
ACTIVIST
California · Restorative Justice Circle
“
Thank you for stewarding a process that enabled an outcome I could not have imagined at the start of our time together.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE
New York City · Mediation
“
Created a sense of trust, safety, and respect. Provided structure in a way that felt organic. Shared expertise. Invited others to share from their own knowledge and experience. Showed genuine care.
ADVOCATE
Atlanta, GA · Conflict Training
“
I really appreciated your honesty and kindness. Especially you saying that we are less likely to find a solution, and it is ok. I felt the importance of starting a conversation about conflict even though the paths ahead are unpredictable.
ACTIVIST
California · Restorative Justice Circle
“
The facilitator really trusted the group to share honestly and vulnerably, and respected us to be self-responsible. They moved with a lot of humility and consent. It was clear how meaningful this work was — and yet how much space she allowed us to find our own way.
EDUCATOR
New York City · RJ Training
Vicarious Trauma & Self-Care Training
“
Focused on all individuals, even though the room was full. Listened carefully and thoughtfully to all responses without judgement
SUPERVISOR, GOVERNMENT AGENCY
New York City · Vicarious Trauma Training
“
As supervisors we go through a lot. This really helped me. I went straight back to the job and told other staff about the amazing time I had.
MANAGER, GOVERNMENT AGENCY
New York City · Vicarious Trauma Training
“
Yuko did a fabulous job setting the tone and creating a warm, welcoming environment. Really made and held space for everyone to show up and share authentically. Took her time sharing the information — given the sensitive and heavy nature of it all.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTITIONER
New York City · Vicarious Trauma Training
“
It was evident that the presenter had a breadth of experience in these practices and did a wonderful job of implementing them.
ADVOCATE
Atlanta, GA · Vicarious Trauma Training
Conflict Transformation Training
“
Yuko was incredibly patient, calming, and knowledgeable. I believe her years of experience in this field is apparent and helped to better guide her work.
ADVOCATE
Atlanta, GA · Conflict Training
“
Created a sense of trust, safety, and respect. Provided structure in a way that felt organic. Shared expertise. Invited others to share from their own knowledge and experience. Showed genuine care.
ADVOCATE
Atlanta, GA · Conflict Training
GET IN TOUCH
Begin a conversation
If you are not sure what kind of support you need, please contact me to figure out what might be the right path for you.
A brief conversation is usually enough to understand what's happening and whether OpenTalk is the right fit. There's no obligation in reaching out.
I typically respond within one business day.
Brooklyn, NY · Available Nationally
Begin A Conversation
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