Seeking Therapy as an Asian American: Overcoming the Barriers

Are you an Asian American who has been discouraged in your search for a therapist at some point? Maybe you couldn’t find anyone who actually looked like you in the sea of therapists online. Maybe you took a chance and met with a therapist who failed to understand the cultural factors that impact the ways in which you think, feel, and behave. If any of the above reasons for not seeing a therapist applies to you, know that you’re not alone. 

Why Is Therapy So Stigmatized in Asian Cultures?

While racial-ethnic minority groups in the states tend to underutilize mental health resources, Asian Americans have the lowest rate of mental health care utilization. There are many possible reasons for this unfortunate phenomenon. For starters, there is an underlying fear among the Asian American community that going to therapy means that you are too weak to handle hardships, or worse, that you are crazy. Additionally, seeking a therapist could be seen as bringing shame and dishonor to your family, as they may perceive your therapy as a failure in your upbringing. Your family may also disapprove the act of disclosing personal information to a complete stranger (and paying them for it!). 

In reality, chances are that you could hugely benefit from seeking mental health services…not just despite these reasons, but possibly because of them. Working with a stranger - not a family member/friend/relative, who may have some degree of bias - is an ideal environment to unpack any and all trauma that you may have experienced in your life so far. If the issues you are seeking therapy for are in any way related to racial trauma, identity/acculturation issues, or generational trauma, working with a culturally competent therapist could provide the support that you may not have been able to find elsewhere. 

What is a Culturally Competent Therapist and Where Can I Find One?

A culturally competent therapist is someone who can acknowledge and respect the beliefs, values, and experiences of clients from a particular culture. For example, if you described your tumultuous relationship with your mother to a non-culturally aware therapist, they may simply suggest that you consider severing all ties with your mother. While this suggestion may be well-intentioned for someone whose culture celebrates individualism, it may make the situation considerably worse for someone from a collectivist culture. Had this therapist explored the issue further through the lens of someone who is culturally diverse, they may find that helping the client work toward acceptance of the situation could be way more effective. 

It is not necessary for a therapist to be from the same culture as yours to provide the right support for you. However, you may prefer to work with someone from the same (or at least similar) cultural background, so that you feel more comfortable without the fear of judgment. There are many therapist directories you can utilize to find an Asian American therapist, including Bridges, Inclusive Therapists, and Asian Mental Health Collective. If you use directories that may not be tailored specifically to one race or ethnicity, be sure to be as specific in your search as possible by utilizing filters such as ethnicities served. You can also check off “Multicultural” if it’s offered as an option under different types of therapy.

Therapy should be an inclusive and empowering experience. At Repose, we pride ourselves in our diverse and multilingual team of therapists. You can explore our own directory to find someone who will recognize and respect your cultural values, and work with you collaboratively to unearth how your lived experiences impact who you are in the present day and how you deal with difficulties. CONTACT US to learn more about Therapy for South Asian Communities and how we can help you on your journey.

— Ayaka Omoto