Here are some of the issues that our therapists are adept in exploring:
- Mental health stigma
- Immigration trauma
- Intergenerational trauma
- Racial trauma
- Family dynamics issues
- Cultural and language barriers
- Cultural grief
- Bicultural relationships/marriages
- Multicultural Asian identity
- Biracial & Mixed-Race Asian Identity
- Transracial Asian Adoptees
Mental Health Stigma
Mental health is a new term and idea, especially within the Asian American community. You may have grown up in a family that did not recognize that mental health existed. They may have believed that therapy was something that only “crazy people” sought. Sadness or anger may have been discouraged or prohibited. Unpleasant emotions were often considered signs of weakness. Crying may have been unwelcome, or completely dismissed. We know it can take a lot of courage to seek help, especially when your background may have discouraged doing so. We’re here to praise your bravery and to challenge the status quo.
Mental health matters. It affects the way you view your life, the actions you take (or don’t take), and the quality of your relationships. Prioritizing your mental health is not a sign of weakness, but rather, a sign of strength. We’re so glad you’re here, and we’re honored you sought us to help.
Immigration Trauma
Immigrating to a new country can be tough on so many levels. You’ve moved away from your community. You’re in an unfamiliar culture. You’re constantly having to figure out how to navigate this new country, all while trying to survive. You might question how much of your heritage you should keep. Or considering how many of your traditions you can keep, as you try to fit into the local community. This acclimation process can be overwhelming, lonely, and isolating. We are here to provide a safe space for you. This way you can process the pain, confusion, and overwhelming emotions that come with immigration trauma. We understand how difficult and scary it can be to move to a foreign country. Let us support you in navigating your new life.
Intergenerational Trauma
Have you ever wondered why you had the upbringing that you did? Why it may have been so different from your non-Asian American peers? Or how your upbringing continues to influence you? The way that you behave in relationships? How your beliefs about the world may have influenced the way you raise your children?
Trauma can have an impact for multiple generations
The ways that we, and the ways that we raise our children to be, are rooted in past generations. The resilience and trauma that our ancestors experienced have passed down to the next generation. Then their resilience and trauma get passed on to the next, and the next. This can affect the relationships between parents and children. Then it can affect children and the world around them. The pain in our trauma keeps getting passed on. Until you realize that holding onto these behaviors and beliefs may be harmful. That they may no longer serve you. Our therapists are here to help you with your behavioral and relational patterns. To help teach you new, better ways to connect with your loved ones.
Racial Trauma
Anti-Asian hate has been a concern for decades. The recent increase in hate crimes throughout the pandemic has been a painful reminder that this hate has not ended. Many Asian Americans have been severely affected by these events. Many of us feel afraid and unsafe whenever we have to leave our homes. Beyond the violent racism of hate crimes, we can also experience racism in our day-to-day lives. Such as in the workplace or even in our social circles. Subtle discriminatory comments, or microaggressions, may seem small. But, over time, they can take a significant toll on our mental health. You may be feeling scared, angry, disheartened, or powerless in the face of all this injustice. We’re here to listen to your pain, resonate with you in solidarity and provide a haven for you to experience your feelings. We are here to help you find your path forward.
Family Dynamic Issues
There can be a huge gap in world views, values, and lifestyles across generations. This can feel particularly true for first- and second-generation Asian Americans. First-generation Asian Americans grew up in a completely different world. In a different time. Whereas their children and grandchildren are being raised far away from their native culture and tongue. These language barriers and cultural differences can lead to ongoing clashes between families. We’re here to help parents and children learn to understand one another. To help them find a middle ground that works for them, and improve communication. Along with building conflict resolution skills. Our goal is for families to be able to connect from a place of understanding, love, and care.
Cultural Grief
Cultural grief describes the feeling of losing our cultural values, our heritage, or our social connections to our culture. Whether you’re mourning the death of your parents, or grandparents. Or you’re feeling like you’re losing your heritage or both. Cultural grief is real. Losing a parent can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Especially if they were the closest tie you had to your family’s country of origin. Since immigrating to the United States, you may feel less connected to your heritage. It can feel terrifying and heartbreaking to lose traditions, language, and culture.
Our culturally-sensitive therapists can resonate with you in this grief. They can also support you through the fear or uncertainty that comes with this sense of loss. Let us provide a space for you to remember, honor, and cherish the parts of your culture and heritage. The parts that you want to carry forward with you. Whatever way you want to move forward with your cultural values, we can help you find that clarity.
Cultural & Language Barriers
Immigrating to a new country is challenging. It means learning to navigate cultural differences and language barriers. This can be confusing, overwhelming, and anxiety-provoking.
You may wonder, what is socially acceptable in the U.S.? Is it weird to dress this way? How much should I acclimate, and how much of my culture should I keep? These are valid questions that don’t exactly have a ‘right’ or a ‘wrong’ answer.
Regardless of how long you have been in the U.S., you may find yourself feeling nervous at times. Perhaps you’re uncomfortable or frustrated in certain contexts or situations. Our Asian and Asian American therapists are here to listen to your concerns. Through therapy, we provide you with support in your native language. And it can be easier to navigate these barriers in your first language. We are here to help you find a balance between your culture and the broader culture around you, in a way that works for you.
At YCC, we can provide therapy in the following languages:
- Mandarin
- Korean
- Japanese
- Malay
- Nepalese
- Vietnamese
- Hindi
- Cantonese
Bicultural & Multicultural Marriages and Relationships
Relationships and marriages require intention and communication and can be difficult to maintain. Being in a relationship with a person from a different culture can add an extra layer of challenge. Your values may differ from your partner’s, or you may have conflicting lifestyles.
You might have a specific approach to some things. Furthermore, your partner might have a completely different perspective. Or you might face language barriers or cultural clashes with your partner.
As therapists, we use a sensitive lens to guide you and your partner through your relationship. We can help bring understanding between you and your partner. Our therapists can do this by identifying helpful and unhelpful patterns of behavior.
Further, we can help explore unresolved issues. Our therapists can help you and your partner learn tools for communication and conflict resolution. This can greatly benefit you and your partner. This way the two of you will be able to support and meet each other with curiosity, understanding, and love.
Multicultural Asian Identity
It can be confusing and challenging to exist as an Asian American. Whether you’re a first-generation or second-generation Asian American. Then you have likely experienced incidents that conflicted with your upbringing and values. You may find that you are in an ongoing debate with yourself on which lifestyle to choose. A more Western, individual lifestyle or a more Eastern, family-oriented perspective and lifestyle.
Furthermore, when you are in your parents’ country of origin, you might not feel Asian enough. But when you’re in the United States, you might not feel American enough. At YCC, our Asian American therapists understand the turmoil you may be experiencing.
We can help you explore the conflicting messages of your childhood, as they now show up in your adult life. Our goal is to help you clarify your identity, in whatever way that makes sense to you. We believe you can be 100% Asian, 100% American, and 100% Asian American.
You shouldn’t have to educate your therapist
There will be no burden of educating your therapist on your cultural customs. Or the unique struggles that Asian Americans face. We’re here to provide you with a soft place to land in a world that may seem rough and relentless. We’re here to serve the Asian American community. To provide a safe space for you to process your pain, breathe, and restore.
Getting Started with YCC Asian American Therapy in Los Angeles, CA or New York City, NY
The YCC Asian American therapist who sits across from you resonates with your journey and hardship. Our therapists are knowledgeable in issues that pertain to the Asian American community. We understand your struggles while also honoring your unique experiences. We are with you in solidarity as mental health professionals. Also, as fellow Asian Americans who have experienced our own struggles. If you’re ready to get started with one of our therapists, please follow these steps. To get started with our Los Angeles and New York City-based therapy practice, (now also able to assist with online therapy in New York!), follow the steps below:
- Request an appointment using the prompt below or our contact form.
- Begin meeting with a culturally sensitive therapist.
- Begin your journey of understanding your Asian American identity.
Schedule your first session with us today!
Other Services at Yellow Chair Collective
