Do You Feel Disconnected From Yourself And Your Family?
Are you feeling exhausted having to constantly present a perfect, polished version of yourself to the world? Do you feel dissatisfied with your life because you’re experiencing pressure to fulfill traditional family expectations? Is it challenging to find a space to share your mental health concerns in a cultural context because discussing your emotions is often stigmatized?
Perhaps you’re always subconsciously or acutely aware of your Asian American identity wherever you go, and you’re tired of having to explain where you’re from whenever you meet strangers. Or maybe it’s difficult for you to adapt to a new culture or find a balance between two cultural identities, which leaves you feeling isolated and misunderstood.
Right now, you feel like the only red fish in a sea filled with blue fish. All you really want is to experience love and acceptance from yourself and those around you.
Cultural Conflict Has Many Layers
Juggling identity struggles, intergenerational traumas, microaggressions, and stereotypes is so much more than meets the eye.
Maybe you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, low motivation, difficulty being vulnerable with others, isolation, withdrawal and confusion. It might be hard for you to identify and set boundaries in your relationship, or recognize your own preferences and sense of self in relation to your partner. And if you and your partner were raised in different ethnic or cultural environments, you may not always see eye-to-eye, or feel disconnected because you struggle to find a sense of understanding between each other.
Though it may seem like there’s no way out, it is possible to find a therapist who identifies with your unique cultural experience. We can help you connect with who you are and cultivate the person you want to become.
Though It’s Common For Asian Americans To Feel They Don’t Have Access To Safe Mental Health Spaces—They Do Exist
The intersection of Asian American identity and mental health is not often talked about in Asian American communities. While, thankfully, the narrative is shifting, mental health is still very much a taboo topic for many Asian American folks. It’s common to be taught that therapy is for ‘crazy’ people and that mental health is not a concept that exists in the world, especially not in your own family.
Asian Americans often feel like we don't have an accessible mental health space—specifically, a space where mental health challenges can be understood in the context of their Asian identity. It is difficult to find a safe space for healing that accepts, includes, and embraces the Asian American experience.
Mental Health Stigma Is Deeply Embedded In Asian American Society
In Asian American society, the notion that you are "weak if you can’t figure life out on your own" fosters an environment where seeking help is seen as a sign of inadequacy. Reaching out to a therapist is often stigmatized because it is believed to reflect poorly on the entire family.
"Don't air out your dirty laundry," or "There is 'nothing' wrong with you, your mind is just not strong enough" hammers in the idea that discussing your struggles is a personal failure.
On top of this, learning how to embody collectivist values in a society that prioritizes and values hyperindividualism is difficult. As an Asian American, you may also find yourself caught between opposing currents, often grappling with the fear that seeking help might reflect negatively on your cultural identity.
Moreover, enduring racism, stereotypes, and systemic oppression in various areas including romantic relationships, academic and professional settings, and social settings, contribute to an additional layer of mental and emotional burden.
Wanting to better your mental health through therapy and seeking out an Asian American therapist is never something you should be ashamed of. Therapy can help you foster acceptance and compassion for all Parts of yourself, including those Parts that you hide away and are ashamed of.
An Asian American Therapist Can Help You Discover True Self-Acceptance
Therapy provides a safe space where you can feel comfortable unburdening your concerns with an experienced therapist who not only holds space for but also understands firsthand the unique experiences of being an Asian American.
You’ll work in therapy to learn how to treat yourself with kindness and compassion. With us, you will be able to experience inner harmony, and that inner harmony can also lead to harmony with your external world.
Our Tailored Approach To Asian American Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is the main modality used during Asian American Therapy. This model allows us to use IFS-specific exploration or general Parts work to support your journey toward healing.
This modality acknowledges and respects the cultural values that shape our identity and experiences. Collaboratively, you and your therapist will explore various Parts within yourself that are influenced by cultural expectations, family, and societal pressures.
We will help you recognize your internal Parts, understand their functions, and work towards healing any internal conflicts that may arise due to cultural influences and individual wants and needs.
During sessions, we will find and choose what Part we want to work with, and never venture anywhere you don’t feel ready to go.
As this is an honoring process, we will build a relationship with that Part, with kindness, curiosity, openness, and understanding.
When we explore Parts that are traumatized or stuck, we help to release those burdens by providing a healing experience to those traumatized Parts. In therapy, we can provide the healing energy that these Parts need to let go of whatever pain they are holding onto.
Our ultimate goal in therapy is to identify how certain Parts are influencing your life. And supporting them in experiencing healing from the pain so they can release and finally let go. We aim for you to live with inner peace, harmony, compassion, and kindness for all Parts of you. With the support of a capable Asian American Therapist, it is possible to live a life of alignment of values, peace from previous pain and trauma, fulfilling relationships, and mental wellness.
Perhaps You Are Considering Asian American Therapy But Still Have Some Questions…
How do I know therapy will help me? It's a big financial cost, what if it doesn't work?
Therapy is not magic (even though that would be great!). Coming to therapy will not change your life overnight. It is, however, an invitation to invest in yourself and do the hard work that is necessary to see the changes you want. You get out of therapy what you put into it, and every human being has the internal power to live a life of internal peace that is aligned with them. Therapy can help you access that healing, loving, kind, compassionate energy to help you live the life that you want.
Does coming to therapy mean I have failed in some way? Is something seriously wrong with me?
Absolutely not! Choosing to come to therapy does not reflect your value as a person or your capabilities in any way, shape, or form. It doesn't even mean that you couldn't do it on your own. It just means you are choosing to prioritize yourself in a way you haven't before. Coming to therapy means you love and care about yourself enough to do something that may be foreign, different, and odd. And for some, having a safe and judgment-free space is powerful on its own.
What if others judge me for going to therapy?
There may be people who exist in your life who hold hurtful views about receiving therapy. Fear of that judgment is very common and understandable, especially if that judgment is coming from someone near and dear to us. However, try not to let this deter you— therapy itself is not inherently bad. Wanting to better yourself is not wrong. Therapy is a way of investing in your well-being, choosing to prioritize mental health, and finding a way to overcome the struggles and difficulties you face.
With An Asian American Therapist, You Can Break Negative Cycles And Be At Peace With Yourself And The World Around You
No one is immune to universal mental health concerns like trauma, anxiety, and depression, regardless of their cultural, socioeconomic, education, and professional identity. Asian American counseling with Full Well Therapy can help you learn how to manage the issues that are intimately specific to your experience and live a life of peace and harmony in your unique cultural context.
Please visit our contact page, or call (619) 320-5298 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see how an Asian American Therapist can help you experience healing.