How South Asians can Benefit from Counseling
Going to therapy is a relatively new concept for bicultural folk, particularly South Asian Americans. Most of us still face a taboo a hush-hush association about seeking counseling, a sense of shame. Thankfully that narrative is changing slowly but surely as later Millennials and Gen Z’s casually bring about their experiences with their therapists on the day to day, breaking down the taboo barriers.
Some of the common misconceptions about therapy in South Asian culture are :
You only go to therapist when you are having serious mental illness/diagnosis
You only go to therapy when you are not strong enough to solve your problems
You do not need a therapist when you can just to talk to a family member(s)
Let's normalize going to therapy for mental health and wellbeing just like we see going to the gym and doctor for our physical health and wellbeing. The mind, our emotions, are a PART of our body SYSTEM. Therefore health includes not only physical but also mental/emotional maintenance, checkups, and active effort.
Common reasons South Asians come to seek therapy :
low self esteem and confidence
family or origin issues
guidance through life transitions
developing emotional intelligence
learn to communicate more effectively
strengthen their relationship with themselves and others
relationship problems
body image issues
to break intergenerational trauma
to break cycles they are stuck in
for anxiety
for depression
...and so many more reasons!!
