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Yuko Uchikawa
Restorative Justice Facilitator & Mediator
HERE FOR YOU
“When the waves are too large to swim through alone”
I work with people and organizations at the edge of what they can hold by themselves. Not to resolve things quickly — but to create enough safety that the real conversation can begin. Restorative justice and mediation's core practice is dialogue. Not debate. Not problem-solving. Dialogue — a conversation that centers learning rather than agreement. Through it, we dive deeper into understanding, both self and other. Stories surface. Needs become visible. What seemed impossible to say finds its way into the room.
Explore the work
WHO IT'S FOR
“Some things are hard to hold alone.”
Conflict, harm, and burnout don't announce themselves. They arrive slowly — and then all at once. This work is for people who know something has to change, but aren't sure what shape that change should take.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
You're in a conflict that talking hasn't resolved.
"We've tried to work it out ourselves. It keeps circling back. I don't want to go to a lawyer - this relationship used to mean something. But I don't know how to have this conversation without it getting worse."
I provide a structured, facilitated space where both sides can speak and be genuinely heard - often for the first time.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS & SCHOOLS
Something happened. And HR can't fix it.
"There's a rupture in our team. A harm that was named. A meeting that ended badly. We need someone to come in - not to adjudicate, but to help us actually talk about what happened and find a way forward."
I facilitate organizational circles, conflict processes, and restorative approaches to harm - including school discipline, racial equity work, and team repair.
FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKERS & CAREGIVERS
You give everything. And you're running on empty.
"I sat in my car after work and couldn't move. I used to feel everything - now I feel nothing. I don't know if that's burnout or something worse. I don't know how much longer I can do this "
My vicarious trauma training helps individuals and teams recognize what's happening, metabolize what they absorb, and build sustainable practices of care.
WHAT OPENTALK OFFERS
Three ways to work together.
Each engagement is shaped around your specific situation. No templates. No scripts. I bring 25 years of practice to every conversation.
01
Restorative Justice Facilitation
Rooted in Indigenous circle practices and community-centered dialogue, RJ facilitation creates space for harm to be named, needs to be heard, and accountability to be collectively defined — without punishment as the endpoint.
— Peacemaking Circles for community & school settings— Harm & accountability processes— Re-entry and support circles— Racial equity and disproportionality work— Appreciation and community-building circles
FOR: SCHOOLS • NONPROFITS • COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS • COURTS
03
Training & Consulting
Workshops and organizational consulting that build internal capacity — so your team can navigate conflict, support people through trauma, and sustain the work over time. Delivered in-person or virtually.
— Vicarious Trauma & Sustainable Self-Care— Introduction to Restorative Justice— Transforming Conflicts: Skills for Teams— Custom curriculum available— Half-day, full-day, and multi-session formats
For: Nonprofits · Government Agencies · Schools · Advocacy Orgs
02
Mediation
Facilitated dialogue between people in conflict — voluntary, confidential, and held without judgment. I doesn't determine right or wrong. I create the conditions for each person to be fully heard, and for those in conflict to find their own path forward.
— Interpersonal & workplace conflict— Family & community disputes— Organizational ruptures— Environmental & advocacy contexts— Multi-session processes available
FOR: INDIVIDUALS • COLLEAGUES • TEAMS • COMMUNITY MEMBERS
?
Not sure which fits?
Most people who reach out aren't sure what kind of help they need — only that they need help. A brief conversation is enough to figure out the right path together.
THE APPROACH
Not neutral.
Present.
Traditional mediation describes the facilitator as a "neutral third party." But 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, 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 rather than 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.
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
“I don't determine right or wrong. I create the conditions for participants to listen deeply, learn, and reflect — because the people in conflict have the capacity to create the solutions that are best for them.”
— Yuko Uchikawa
HOW THE WORK IS HELD
This is the work of transforming conflicts.
This work is grounded in the understanding that conflict is rarely only about what it appears to be about. Beneath the surface — beneath the argument, the ruptured meeting, the silence — there are needs, histories, and truths that haven't yet been named. Dialogue is the tool that brings them to the surface. My approach is also trauma-aware. When people are in conflict, their nervous systems are activated. The work begins by creating enough safety for participants to move from reaction to response — from survival mode into genuine presence.
THE SIX PRINCIPLES
GET IN TOUCH
Begin a conversation.
Most people who reach out aren't yet sure what kind of support they need — only that something needs to change. That's a fine place to start.
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 responds within one business day.
Brooklyn, NY · Available Nationally
Begin A Conversation
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