78: Western Therapy Doesn’t Work on Eastern Minds

Struggle Care

Looking at the diverse aspects of mental health from different angles is part of what this show is about. Today’s episode features Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon, who are clinicians, therapists, Asian Americans, and the co-authors of Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity. Join us to learn more about mental health and the Asian American community!

Show Highlights:

● How Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon met while working in a community health setting mainly with Asian immigrants and refugees in the US

● Why Asian clients generally experience big stigma and shame around mental health care

● Why there are common barriers to treatment for Asian Americans, including intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, migration trauma, and invisibility

● Why therapists have to approach identity issues and family dynamics differently with children of immigrants

● Soo Jin’s story of the extreme effects of growing up as an undocumented immigrant

● How Soo Jin’s mother experienced “functional PTSD”---which led to intergenerational trauma in the family

● How Linda experienced different kinds of intergenerational trauma, mainly due to domestic violence and abuse in her family

● What is involved in breaking intergenerational family trauma

● How their book addresses a community perspective on emotions and mental health

● How practices like yoga and Tai Chi help create a somatic connection between trauma therapy and movement

● Why everyone, including non-Asians, can benefit from reading their book

Resources and Links:

Connect with Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon: Yellow Chair Collective Website, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

**Get the book, Where I Belong

Mentioned in this episode: Teaching the Invisible Race by Tony DelaRosa

Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning

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