Ami Kunimura, Ph.D., MT-BC is the founder of The Self-Care Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine and is a board-certified music therapist.

Ami provides therapeutic support for professionals around the world who are experiencing burnout. Ami provides support for individuals and support for organizations with burnout prevention, burnout recovery, stress management, and sustainable self-care.

Ami has worked with organizations such as Alaska Airlines, Procter & Gamble, California Park and Recreation Society, and various non-profit organizations across the United States.

Ami has presented on self-care and occupational burnout at international events and conferences. She is also the creator and facilitator of Resilience Over Burnout: A Self-Care Program, an in-depth online program that guides professionals out of burnout and stress cycles through research-based self-care practices.

Ami has also taught as a lecturer at UCLA and adjunct graduate faculty at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. As a board-certified music therapist since 2006, Ami specializes in mental health, trauma, and addictions treatment.

Ami received a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University, MA in Music Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University.

Ami (pronounced Ah-me) was born and raised in Hawaii and splits her time between Southern California and The Big Island of Hawaii.

To subscribe to Ami’s weekly email, Take A Moment, click here.

To inquire about speaking opportunities with Ami, complete our speaking inquiry form.

To contact Ami with questions, interview requests, or media requests, please use the form below.

PODCAST APPEARANCES

March 12, 2022 Able Voice Podcast “Self-Care: The Tough Love Friend with Ami Kunimura”

August 29, 2021 Creative Peacemeal Podcast “Ami Kunimura”

October 27, 2020 MT Mentor Podcast “MT Mentor with Guest Mentor Ami Kunimura, MA, MT-BC”

August 28, 2019 Music Therapy Chronicles Episode #16. “A Journey Through Burnout: Ami Kunimura, MA, MT-BC (Part 1)”

September 4, 2019 Music Therapy Chronicles Episode #17. “Self-Care: Ami Kunimura, MA, MT-BC (Part 2)”

PUBLICATIONS

Kunimura, A. (2023). Striving for fulfillment: A grounded theory of the transformation of burnout to well-being. (Publication No. 30522507) [Doctoral dissertation, Saybrook University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2825023120

Kunimura, A. (2022). The intersections of race, burnout, and self-care in social justice and music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 40(2) 182-191. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miac002

Kunimura, A. (2016). Resilience Over Burnout: A Self-Care Guide for Music Therapists. https://www.selfcareinstitute.com/ebook-music-therapists/ ISBN 978-0-692-75212-8

Kunimura, A. (2014). Harmony Handbook Vol. 1: Resources for Music Therapists Working with Adolescents and Adults in Mental Health Treatment https://www.harmonyresource.com/resources/

Contact Us Here

Messages submitted here are securely emailed directly to The Self-Care Institute and are responded to Monday – Friday.