Asians and South Asian Americans
Asian and South Asian Americans can feel stuck in so many ways. You may find yourself constantly trying to navigate two very different cultural landscapes. Or, you’re trying to tease out your family’s cultural norms from your own. You might also feel torn between pursuing your own values, especially if they clash with your family’s regular traditions.
As a child of immigrants, I understand the importance of normalizing, validating, and treating the mental health issues of my people. I know what it’s like to grow up in two different worlds, and I value providing therapy to support people in similar situations.
Common Difficulties Asian and South Asian Americans Face
Sometimes it feels like you have two different identities, or it feels like you don’t really have much of an identity at all. Whether you just moved to America, or you’ve lived here your entire life, therapy offers a safe space to be yourself and feel unconditionally supported.
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Immigrants and children of immigrants often feel a loyalty to uphold the values of their home country (or their parent’s home country). At the same time, you often want to acculturate to the norms and traditions prevalent in the United States, but you may not be sure to what extent or how to do that. These pressures can be undoubtedly confusing.
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You and your parents are of totally different generations, but it can sometimes seem like they don’t respect or even understand where you’re coming from. You may feel a strong pressure to appease them. Or you might find yourself ‘acting out’ in secret or unsure of how to best communicate with family members.
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Cultural issues often become even more pronounced when you enter a romantic relationship or start considering commitment with someone your parents and family may or may not approve of. How will you manage this with your partner? Will there be compromises on cultural values? What if you decide to date someone outside of your race or religion? How will you and your partner come together to instill shared values in your children or convey that to your parents?
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No matter how much you love your family, cultural issues often affect various generations. You may not approve of how your parents or grandparents act. You might want to set certain limits or make choices that you know they won’t approve of. These experiences can cause internal tension, and they can also affect the entire family system.
How Therapy Can Help You Grow As an Asian or South Asian American
You might be feeling a lot of emotions about your family, your culture, and your own needs right now. Many immigrants and children of immigrants feel alone in their feelings - they don’t know where to turn. Here’s how therapy can help you during this time:
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No matter who you are or where you come from, you deserve to feel authentic in your own cultural identity. This means standing firm in your values, desires, and needs. It’s hard to decide if you want to fit in with mainstream American culture, be more ethnic in your identity, or walk the line between both.
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Feeling grounded in your family relationships contributes to feeling more secure and confident with yourself. Together, we’ll review the issues and patterns impacting your relationships including different values, parental conflicts, communication challenges, and intergenerational trauma.
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If you self-doubt, it’s hard to live your best life. You might pass up valuable opportunities or miss out on important social experiences. In therapy, we can review the barriers impacting your ability to move forward and discuss strategies to increase your confidence.
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You may be feeling significant pressure to perform at school or choose a particular career. No matter where you are in your educational journey or professional life, therapy can help you achieve the most realistic goals for you considering parental expectations and being free of cultural considerations.
Therapy for Asian and South Asian Americans in California
Your cultural background is an integral part of who you are. As a native Californian and second-generation Indian American with two parents who immigrated from India over 50 years ago, I understand the nuances of immigration. Over the past five decades, I have extensively researched, published, and presented on Asian American, South Asian, and Indian American psychology topic areas. I am well-versed in stereotypes, cultural pressures, acculturation issues, navigating dating and arranged marriages, colorism, double standards, and the challenges of managing gendered expectations.
I see clients in person in Orange County at my office in Newport Beach, and I am available for telehealth services for clients throughout the rest of California.
I welcome you to contact me today to schedule a consultation.