Asian & Asian-Ams in Therapy in Orange County.

As a Filipino, I know firsthand that there is such a stigma when it comes to mental health and mental health services. In many ways, therapy can be so helpful to our community. Think about all the unique issues we face as an Asian/Asian-American. Now think about how much easier it would be if we just had more support.

As a Filipino, there are so many experiences I hope to help my community through:

• Identity searching: What does my culture mean to me? Who do I want to be? What does it mean to be Asian?

• Potentially “toxic” values: values from our culture that can be maladaptive such as verbal body comments, an emphasis on shame, patterns of communication that are often invalidating, etc.

• Differences in generations: Those in different generations (1st gen vs 2nd gen) tend to have different values that often conflict with one another

• Intersectionality of cultures: Often, Asian culture and American culture can have opposing values. It can be difficult navigating the two.
  

I’d love to help my community by supporting their mental health and crushing the stigma. You’d go to the doctor if you were physically hurt? Why wouldn’t we see a therapist if we’re emotionally hurt?

After all, mental health IS health!