Therapy for Asian Americans

How do you feel about asking for help? Does it feel foreign or even outright uncomfortable? For many Asian Americans, cultural and societal factors can make seeking help an uphill battle. Whether it’s the emphasis on independence, preserving family reputation, avoiding the appearance of weakness, or the concept of 'saving face,' asking for help often feels like a challenge.

You don’t have to face it alone. The fact that you’re here already shows incredible strength and courage. We understand how difficult it can be to take this step, and we want you to know it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s a powerful act of self-care. We’re here to support you and are honored to help in whatever way you need.

A Space to Call Your Own

Historically, Asian Americans have often had to adapt to spaces created by others, rather than having spaces to truly call their own. Our goal as therapists is to change that by providing a space where you can feel seen, heard, valued, and call your own.

We’ll bring compassion, empathy, a listening ear, and whatever else you need. All we ask is that you come as your authentic self, ready to grow and overcome.

We understand what it’s like to feel unseen or even ashamed of aspects of one’s culture for not ‘fitting in.’ Our aim is to help you navigate your challenges while honoring the beauty of your Asian heritage and everything that makes you uniquely you.

Topics we often explore with our Asian clients:

  • Mental Health Stigma

  • Model Minority Myth

  • Family Dynamics

  • Identity

  • People Pleasing

  • Imposter Syndrome

  • Racism

Mental Health Stigma

Mental health stigma in Asian cultures remains a significant barrier to seeking and receiving care. This stigma is deeply rooted in a complex mix of cultural, social, and historical factors that shape how mental health is perceived. In some spaces, seeking therapy might lead to being labeled as 'crazy' or seen as 'broken.' When these views are passed down through generations, they perpetuate the mental health stigma we see today.

But let us be clear: you are not crazy or broken. Mental health matters. We applaud you for taking this brave step toward bettering yourself and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health in Asian culture. Together, we can create a healthier, more compassionate path forward.

Model Minority Myth

The model minority myth portrays Asian Americans as universally successful, hardworking, and high-achieving. While this may seem complimentary at first glance, it imposes undue pressure and unrealistic expectations on the Asian community. When an we don’t meet these expectations, we might feel like a failure, question if we’re 'Asian enough,' or see ourselves as less than.

The model minority myth lumps all Asians into a single monolithic group, erasing the rich diversity and unique cultural differences within Asian communities. By ignoring the context of each person’s upbringing, this narrative makes it harder to extend kindness to ourselves, leaving us focused on how we 'should' be instead of embracing who we truly are.

Like the Asian American population, you are unique—far more than a checklist of traits imposed by society. You are not defined by stereotypes, and your value comes from being authentically you.

Family Dynamics

Family dynamics in Asian cultures are shaped by traditions like Confucianism, Buddhism, and collectivism. These values emphasize family harmony, respect for elders, and prioritizing the needs of the group over individual desires. As a result, it can be difficult to prioritize our own needs if we feel it may negatively impact our family.

Do we speak up when our parents' words hurt us, or do we keep it to ourselves to maintain harmony? There’s no one right way to approach this, but it’s important to remember that the world your grandparents and parents grew up in is very different from the one you’ve experienced. Therefore our values and beliefs may differ from those of our elders, which is why it’s okay to reshape these dynamics and traditions to meet our own needs.

In our work together, we’ll help you honor your family dynamics while staying true to your own values and beliefs, allowing you to prioritize your needs and achieve your goals.

Identity

Growing up as a child of immigrants places us in a unique position: we want to honor our cultural heritage while also integrating some values of American society. This balancing act can offer great personal strength, but it can also lead to inner conflict. Navigating between these two worlds often brings its own set of challenges. In this space, we honor your experience and are here to explore those thoughts together, helping you fully embrace your multicultural upbringing.

People Pleasing

People-pleasing is a common issue in many cultures, but it can be especially pronounced in Asian American culture due to the strong emphasis on collectivism and maintaining group harmony. These deeply ingrained beliefs can make it difficult to say 'no,' leading us to take on more than we can handle, which often results in stress, anxiety, and burnout. People-pleasing also makes it harder to set healthy boundaries. However, there is nothing wrong with saying 'no.' In fact, it can be a powerful act of self-care. We understand the challenges of overcoming the urge to please others, and we’re here to navigate this with you. Together, we’ll explore and reshape the thoughts that make saying 'no' difficult, helping you establish healthy boundaries while honoring your cultural background.

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome is the belief that one’s accomplishments aren’t good enough or that they don’t deserve their current successes. For Asian Americans, cultural factors like the model minority myth, high family expectations, perfectionism, and undervaluing achievements can amplify these feelings. As a result, we may shy away from opportunities for growth or leadership, thinking we are 'undeserving.' However, this belief is not true. You have already accomplished so much, and you are worthy of every success you’ve earned. It’s not about whether you are deserving, but about how we can help you embrace and understand that you are more than enough and deserving of all the good that comes your way.

Racism

Since the global pandemic in 2020, hate crimes and racism towards the AAPI community have increased significantly. This can leave us feeling scared, isolated, anxious, or uncertain about voicing our concerns for fear of facing consequences. At times, racism may be harder to identify, appearing as microaggressions or subtle comments. This is not okay. We want you to know that we are here to listen to your experiences, offer support, and help provide a clear path forward in overcoming these challenges.