Culturally Responsive Therapy for Asian Heritage Populations
Seeking therapy can be a really personal and sometimes daunting decision, especially for people from diverse cultural backgrounds. For many Asian clients, the journey to accessing mental health services is often complicated by cultural misunderstandings and a lack of culturally responsive approaches. However, therapy can be a supportive and meaningful process, offering a safe place to be seen, validated and heard. In this blog, I want to share some of the unique experiences of Asian clients and offer insights into the common challenges they face in therapy.
The Diversity of Asian Experiences
Asian communities are incredibly diverse, with a wide range of cultures, sub-cultures, languages, and experiences. It's so important to recognise this diversity and avoid making broad assumptions. Some of the varied experiences within Asian communities include:
Asian people living in Asia: Often seen as the majority in their home countries, their experiences can be very different from those living abroad.
Asian people living in Australia: As minorities, they may face unique societal pressures and experiences.
Children of migrants (2nd generation): These individuals often navigate the complexities of being ‘Third-Culture Kids’, balancing their heritage with their upbringing in Australia (and other Western countries)
International students: They face unique challenges related to adaptation, loneliness, and cultural adjustment.
Bi-racial clients: They may struggle with identity issues and a sense of belonging.
Subcultures within Asian communities: Such as Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and Singaporean cultures, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges.
*Adapted from Daniela Ho Tan - Clinical Psychologist, Advanced Accredited Individual Schema Therapist, PBA Supervisor
As you can see from the diversity of Asian experiences, there are many different ways to identify as an Asian person.
As for me, I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. My mum grew up in Thailand, and my dad, of Chinese heritage, was raised in Vietnam until his family fled the war when he was a teenager, settling in Australia. I've always identified as Australian with an Asian background, often navigating the delicate balance of multiple cultures—a classic Third Culture Kid.
Common Barriers to Therapy for Asian Clients
Research shows that Asian clients often have a high dropout rate from therapy. Some of the common barriers I've come across include:
Cultural Sensitivity and Stereotyping: Many Asian people have reported feeling that therapists aren't sensitive to their cultural values. I've heard comments like "They told me to just stop talking to my dad" or "They assumed I had tiger parents". This really highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of cultural contexts.
Acculturative Family Distancing: This refers to the cultural and emotional gap between immigrant parents and their children due to differing values and communication barriers. It often leads to misunderstandings about the importance of mental health care. For instance, traditional beliefs or stigma may discourage adult children of immigrant parents from seeking help, fearing it could disrupt family harmony or respect for elders. This disconnect can make it challenging for Asian clients to prioritise their mental health needs, contributing to high therapy dropout rates.
Enmeshment: A complex family dynamic that significantly influences how individuals perceive and navigate relationships, decision-making processes, and personal autonomy within their cultural context. It often stems from deeply ingrained collectivist values where familial bonds and obligations take precedence over individual desires and boundaries. In therapeutic settings, enmeshment becomes particularly relevant as it can impact an individual's ability to establish healthy boundaries, assert personal autonomy, and address their own needs distinct from familial expectations.
“They told me to just stop talking to my dad”
A culturally responsive therapist works with your cultural values, not against.
What Asian Clients Should Expect From Therapy
Validation of Cultural Values: Therapy should validate the cultural values that you hold dear, such as filial piety. This validation helps in building a trusting relationship with your therapist.
Awareness of Stereotypes: Your therapist should recognise and challenge biases and stereotypes. Each client is unique, and therapy should be approached with openness and a willingness to learn from your perspective.
Navigating Complex Family Dynamics: Therapy should help navigate the complexities of family dynamics influenced by cultural values like enmeshment or collectivism. Understanding these dynamics can lead to more effective therapy outcomes.
Building Trust through Cultural Sensitivity: A therapist should demonstrate genuine interest in your cultural background and experiences. This creates a safe space for you to explore your challenges and issues.
Cultural sensitivity encompasses understanding diverse perspectives beyond ethnicity, including religious beliefs, spiritual practices, familial traditions, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Good therapy is about seeing your whole story and respecting every bit of it, no matter where you're from or what you believe. By understanding your unique challenges and experiences, therapists can create a more inclusive and supportive environment. If you come across a therapist who doesn’t seem to respect your cultural background, beliefs and values, it is worth asking yourself:
“Is this the right therapist for me?”
and
“Are they going to be able to support me in the way that I need?”.
If you're considering therapy or have felt like your cultural background wasn't fully understood, I'm here to chat. Let's make sure you find a space where you're truly heard and supported, contact me for a free 15-minute discovery to discuss how we could work together.