Children of Immigrants
Did you grow up in an immigrant household? Whether you immigrated yourself or you are the children of immigrants, we inherit many values, beliefs, and habits that shape the rest of our lives. Therapy can help you unpack the things you carry so that you can decide what you want to keep and what you want to let go of.
Many of my clients navigate challenges such as:
Feeling bound by family expectations and the obligation to make up for your parents’ sacrifices
Mental health stigma and the guilt/shame around caring for yourself and
Balancing collectivist and individualistic cultures especially for Asian-Americans
Scarcity mindset and fear-driven decisions
Perfectionism and the pressure to achieve
Navigating bicultural tension
Complex and intergenerational trauma
Internalized “shoulds” that keep you trapped
High conflict, transactional, and/or emotionally distant relationships with your family
Therapy around the immigrant experience doesn’t mean rejecting your family or culture. We’re not looking for somebody to blame, but we want to help you understand yourself and figure out how to move forward. We will also acknowledge the many pathways to healing and wisdom outside of traditional Western perspectives. Straddling two worlds can be a strength, not a burden. Together, we’ll embrace the both/and perspective: You can appreciate our heritage and live a life that feels authentic and meaningful to you.