Asian American Therapist Bay Area

Asian American Therapist for Bay Area Asian American Adults

You Never Feel Good Enough

The pressure to perform and excel is relentless.

It feels like no matter how hard you work, it's never enough. Your boss always expects more, and you fear that one day they'll realize you're not as capable as they think.

You feel this constant need to prove yourself, but the bar keeps getting higher.

You overwhelmed by your family's expectations.

You struggle with toxic family dynamics at home, dealing with subtle criticisms and comparisons that exacerbate your stress and feelings of inadequacy.

Family gatherings are always a challenge for you, filled with a mixture of stress and emotional turmoil.

These events are supposed to be joyous occasions, but for you, they bring a heavy burden.

You can't help but feel inadequate, as if you're constantly falling short of the family's expectations.

You are afraid of disappointing others, or being a disappointment

You fear of disappointing your parents, your partner, and others who have placed high expectations on you.

The fear of not living up to their standards paralyzes you, making you feel trapped in a cycle of striving and falling short.

You desperately want to make them proud, but the pressure to meet their expectations feels suffocating.

You can’t say no to others, out of dissappointing them, as if you always need to say yes and tend to the needs of others, especially your loved ones.

Your Asian American Upbringing Comes With Stress

Your upbringing has been a significant source of stress, shaping much of the anxiety you face today.

Growing up, there was always a strong emphasis on success and achievement. Your parents worked tirelessly to provide a better future, and in return, they placed high expectations on you.

From a young age, you were aware of the sacrifices they made, whether outloud or silently, you were aware they sacrificed alot.

Home life was a balancing act of meeting these high expectations while navigating the cultural nuances of being an Asian American.

You felt a strong obligation to honor your heritage and your parents' sacrifices, but it came at the cost of your personal desires and mental well-being. There was little room for expressing your emotions or pursuing interests that didn't align with the family’s vision of success.

You recognize that you need help

The constant pressure from your upbringing, family expectations, and the demands of your job have taken a significant toll on your well-being. You feel perpetually stressed, always striving to meet impossibly high standards.

The relentless pursuit of excellence has left you feeling drained and disconnected from yourself. You battle with a deep sense of inadequacy and fear of disappointment, which impacts every aspect of your life—from work to personal relationships. Emotionally, you are overwhelmed by anxiety and a persistent feeling of not being good enough.

Your relationship with your partner suffers as well. You feel guilty for not being fully present, and your inability to communicate your struggles adds to the strain.

The burden of these expectations and the pressure to excel are too much to handle alone.

You want an Asian American Therapist who “gets it”

You want to start but you want a therapist that understands the cultural nuances and specific pressures you face as an Asian American. You want someone who can appreciate the nuances of your background and how they impact your wellbeing.

You hope to find someone who can not only understand what you go through but can help you navigate, explore, and overcome these challenges.

I'm Alex, a Bay Area Asian American Therapist

As a 2nd generation Chinese-American I understand the difficulty of being Asian American growing up in an immigrant family.

I specialize in working with high-achieving, anxious, and self-critical Asian American adults who are grappling with the feeling of never being good enough.

As an Asian American, I understand the complexities of navigating the cultural challenges that arise from being Asian American, such as family dynamics, racism, and identity.

My approach is centered on addressing and healing trauma that stems from familial and cultural origins.

I recognize that much of the anxiety and self-criticism you may be experiencing is not just a result of your immediate environment, but also a product of deeper, intergenerational patterns and expectations. By exploring these origins together, we can start to unravel the narratives that have held you back, allowing you to forge a path forward that is aligned with your values and aspirations.

How I Help as An Asian American Therapist

As an Asian American Trauma Therapist, my focus is on treating the cultural and familial trauma that often propels my clients into cycles of overachievement and high anxiety. This trauma can manifest in a relentless pursuit of success, driven by an underlying fear of failure and a deep-seated belief that one's worth is tied to their accomplishments.

Understanding that trauma resides not just in the mind but also in the body, therapy sessions are designed to explore and heal trauma from a body-mind perspective. This involves identifying how trauma is held in the body and employing techniques that allow for the release of these tensions and the reprocessing of traumatic memories using techniques like Brainspotting.

As we work through these layers of trauma, clients often report a newfound sense of peace, a deeper connection with their authentic selves, and a more fulfilling relationship with their cultural and familial identities.

Get Amazing Therapy Outcomes with an Asian American Therapist

My clients get amazing results from therapy. You’ll be able to navigate the conflicts with your family without shame, guilt or fear. You will be able to assert yourself in life and be more real with other people. You will be less driven by guilt, shame, and fear and more by your desires and values. If you are interested in living your life free from shame and guilt, while honoring yourself and your family, contact me today to schedule a initial therapy session.

You do not have to settle for therapy where your cultural values, expectations, and identity feel foreign to a therapist. You deserve therapy where you feel culturally affirmed and understood.