South Asians
The “what-will-people-say” mentality is so rampant within the South Asian community, that millions of people never seek therapy or speak up on mental health issues.
Your mental health matters. Prioritizing your needs does not mean you are selfish. You are enough. You matter.
You do not have to suffer in silence.
Marriage in South Asian culture is seen as a union between two families and it comes with a myriad of cultural and traditional expectations. However, marriage is seen as a commitment between two people in eastern culture. Balancing these two cultures and their expectations often become a primary focus in my work with South Asian couples. Some of the most common issues I work with are: intimacy issues, gender-role expectations, difficulties with in-laws, communication problems, and a lack of friendship/fun.
For many South Asians, ‘not knowing who I am,” starts at a very young age. Since childhood, we learn that obedience is necessary to receive love and acceptance from the people around us. We are taught to push aside our own desires and prioritize the needs of others. Through the process of changing ourselves, we end up forgetting who we are, what we enjoy, and what we want our lives to look like. Therefore, common issues I work with are: depression, anxiety, boundary setting, balancing cultures, and personal growth/exploration.