Therapy for Asian Americans• San Francisco Bay Area• California• Online
Feel and become more integrated within your different cultures and identities.
You’ve been living between cultures your whole life, as an Asian American.
On one side, you have your family’s country-of-origin culture which you’re mentally transported to, every time you visit family. On the other side, you have the dominant Western culture which you’re also very familiar with.
Navigating between different cultures has been easy for you. It’s essentially another language you’ve become fluent in. You naturally make that switch in your demeanor when you go from being with friends/partner(s)/classmates/coworkers to being with your family.
So why are family gatherings suddenly becoming more unbearable lately? Why does it seem so tempting to just ignore the phone calls, invites to get together, reunions, etc? For a moment, ignoring your family might offer temporary relief. You’re saved from having to tirelessly explain yourself—saved from answering questions that basically remind you that you are different than your other family members. Sometimes, the thought of conforming seems very enticing…other times, it seems suffocating.
It’s hard to be caught in between different cultures. Your identity and obligations may feel at odds. As a 2nd-generation Asian American and now, as a mental health therapist for Asian Americans, I really hear you and would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you so that you can feel more balanced and connected with all your different identities.
How Therapy for Asian Americans May Help
Through our work together, you may:
Gain greater understanding of how past generation’s experiences have influenced your life and identity in present-day
Identify and mindfully invest in all aspects of your identities
Develop and strengthen balance in your family relationships/customs and other cherished aspects of your life
Become more comfortable in holding healthy boundaries while still conveying care for your family/country-of-origin
Feel less guilty about how/how much you spend your time; whether you are spending time with your family or friends
Identify and disrupt generational trauma’s effects
Clarify your identity and goals; who you are and the life you want to foster
* Disclaimer: While I’ve given a glimpse into how therapy may help, I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of customizing the work I do with each client based on their unique needs/wants. Before we start any work together, we will discuss what your goals are and how we can work towards them.
Hi, I’m Gina. It’s an honor to meet you.
Gina Li, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)/ Therapist, California
I am a licensed mental health therapist based in the Bay Area, who specializes in helping young adults, Asian Americans, and caregivers throughout California, break the cycles of intergenerational and relational trauma so that they can live truly more fulfilling lives. This can look like being more gentle with ourselves and others, while also setting boundaries as needed. It can also look like gaining greater self-awareness and true confidence. In summary, this looks like learning how to stay grounded in who we genuinely are and who we genuinely want to be.
