Terrific Advice for Your Asian or Asian-American Therapist Search
Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all. The way we feel, express, and heal from mental challenges is deeply rooted in our cultural context. For the Asian and Asian-American community, the search for a therapist is about more than checking credentials—it’s about finding someone who can understand how culture, family, and identity inform experiences. With insights from Fenella Ting, LMHC, an expert in culturally sensitive mental health practices with experience in both Malaysia and the United States, we explore the Asian and Asian-American mental health journey and how to find the right support.
Mental Health Across Cultures
Mental health can look different across cultures, and failing to account for culture in therapy leads to disparities and biases in mental health care. Many mental health practices in the United States originate from European traditions and beliefs about the mind, body, and health. For instance, “talk therapy” is a popular therapy method in the US, yet not all cultures place the same premium on talking about painful emotions. Here are a few other ways mental health varies throughout the world:
Beliefs about the origin of mental illness differ across cultures. For example, medical systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine view mental illness as a result of imbalances between bodily forces.
Not all cultures have the same distinction between physical and mental health that is common in the US. As Fenella Ting notes, Asian families might be more likely to have “distress…show up in physical ways—such as fatigue, headaches, or stomach issues—rather than being labeled as anxiety or depression. For teenagers and adolescents, this distress can sometimes appear as behavioral issues or acting out as a way of expressing unmet needs.”
While mental health care in the US focuses heavily on the individual, some cultures might view community as being crucial to mental health recovery.
In addition, different aspects of culture, such as religion and the national history of a country, can influence mental health in ways that are important for a therapist to recognize.
Lastly, mental health stigma may be more prevalent in some cultures than others and might show up in different ways.
Challenges for Asian and Asian-American Clients
Asian-American individuals constitute a fast-growing population in the US and reflect diverse lived experiences. However, overall, a substantial treatment gap exists in mental health care access for Asian-American individuals in the US compared to other populations. Asian-American college students have higher levels of anxiety and depression than European-American students. At the same time, Asian and Asian-American individuals have lower than average rates of seeking mental health services in the US, being almost 50% less likely to seek care than the general population.
The Asian and Asian-American community faces some common challenges regarding mental health. One of these challenges is family dynamics. As Fenella Ting, LMHC, notes, “One of the biggest challenges I notice among Asian-American clients is intergenerational conflict. Many second-generation Asian-Americans who grew up and were educated in the US often receive messages and values that differ from those of their parents due to cultural differences and differing parenting styles. This can create internal conflicts around identity and make communication with their families more complicated.” In fact, a study on therapy for Asian-American college students notes that family stress was the most common problem the students faced. For Asian-American folks who face challenges related to their family dynamics, “These challenges are not just ‘clinical issues’—they are deeply personal and tied to culture, family, and identity. Recognizing and addressing them is essential for creating a space that enables clients to feel safe, seen, and heard.”
Asian and Asian-American individuals in the US also face distinct types of racism, discrimination, and stereotyping, such as the rise of racism during COVID and the model minority myth. This stereotype can obscure mental health distress, leading to minimization of suffering or dismissiveness, thus reducing access to appropriate mental health care.
Stigma surrounding mental health can also be a challenge for Asian and Asian-American people. As Fenella states, “In many Asian families, there is still a strong stigma around mental illness, and emotional struggles are often expected to be handled privately or simply endured. The idea of ‘saving face’ can also make it difficult to seek help or talk openly about emotional pain.” This stigma impacts many Asian and Asian-American clients, as do cultural norms that promote solving problems independently rather than looking for professional help.
Another potential barrier to seeking therapy for the Asian and Asian-American population is finding the right therapist. Interviews with Asian and Asian-American clients seeking mental health care in the US find that a huge barrier to care is the worry about finding a competent therapist who understands their perspective—and the fear that a therapist might hold biases or commit microaggressions. Fenella describes the importance of finding a culturally aware therapist, noting, “Another challenge I frequently see is the difficulty in finding therapists who are culturally responsive to their background. When clients don’t feel understood or represented, it can be harder for them to open up fully in therapy and share their thoughts and feelings.”
Lastly, “Language barriers also play a role, affecting how clients process and engage with the information and support offered.” Indeed, Asian immigrants to the US often face stress that comes with acculturation and navigating a society in which they face language barriers.
Finding the Right Therapist As an Asian or Asian-American Individual
For Asian or Asian-American clients who share common concerns about finding the right therapist, Fenella Ting advises, “I encourage people to look for therapists who value cultural awareness or have experience working with Asian or Asian-American communities. It’s okay—and important—to ask therapists about their experience and understanding of family dynamics across cultures, immigration stress, or identity-related concerns.” In cases of language barriers, finding a linguistically concordant therapist can also be useful; for instance, Fenella speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay.
Fenella also tells clients to trust their guts when meeting potential therapists: “Therapy should feel like a space where we don’t have to constantly explain or justify our cultural background. I…encourage trusting our instincts—notice whether we feel respected, heard, and emotionally safe with our therapist. The relationship should feel supportive and collaborative, not rooted in power or control.”
Lastly, look for openness and curiosity in a therapist. For Fenella, “When I work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, I lead with curiosity, openness, and respect. I try not to assume, but instead invite clients to share what feels important to them about their cultural values, family dynamics, and lived experiences. I check in often to make sure our work feels aligned with their goals and what they need in that moment. I’m also mindful of how culture can influence communication styles, how distress is expressed, and what therapy is expected to look like. Above all, I strive to create a safe, collaborative space where clients feel seen as whole people, encouraged to speak openly, and reminded to be gentle with themselves as they move through healing and recovery.”
Conclusion
Mental health is deeply embedded in culture. For Asian and Asian-American people in the US facing challenges such as family dynamics, prejudice, mental health stigma, and language barriers, it’s important to find a therapist who understands the complexities of your culture, family, and identity. Your cultural background is a part of your strength, not a barrier to your healing. If you are ready to start your journey with a therapist, Dyad Psychology’s talented team has expertise in cultural awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do cultural beliefs and values shape understandings of mental health and healing?
Different cultures may include different views about the causes of mental illness, the relationship between mind and body, and methods of healing from mental distress. Factors like religion, national history, and mental health stigma can shape mental health in different ways throughout the world.
2. What mental health challenges do Asian and Asian-American communities face?
Asian and Asian-American people very commonly face challenges related to family dynamics. Experiences of racism may also challenge this community, as can cultural stigma surrounding mental health. In addition, many Asian and Asian-American individuals worry about finding a culturally aware therapist who will understand their perspective.
3. What should I look for when searching for a culturally competent therapist near me?
Beyond basic credentials, look for cultural awareness. You should feel free to ask a therapist about their experience working with people of your background or their understanding of family dynamics across cultures, immigration stress, or identity concerns. Trust your gut when meeting potential therapists, and look for therapists who exhibit openness and curiosity.