Beyond the Couch with Bridges

In the season three finale, Sam, Diana and Christie reflect on the revamped structure and behind-the-scenes experience of producing this season. They share standout moments, express gratitude for the incredible guests, and discuss the central theme that arose over the season: embracing the messy, questioning, and uncomfortable moments that create the process of growth.  Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Diana chats with Anna, the visionary behind Healing Journey Retreats, who shares her powerful mental health journey and the transformative steps she took to reclaim her sense of purpose. Anna opens up about her experience being laid off from a high-stress tech job, struggling with toxic workplace environments, and feeling disconnected from her true calling. As a Chinese Canadian, she also touches on the pressure of security, the scarcity mindset, and how she took a leap of faith to prioritize her mental well-being. Anna discusses how travel exposed her to alternative ways of living and entrepreneurship, igniting her passion for creating retreats focused on mental wellness. From navigating stigma around mental health to opening up conversations with her parents about her struggles, Anna offers heartfelt advice and creative tips for others looking to do the same.Introducing Anna (she/her), the passionate visionary behind Healing Journey Retreats. With a decade of experience in the tech industry, she knows firsthand the pressures and challenges that can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Her own journey of mental health recovery led her to a transformative path. Seeking solace in travel, Airbnb hosting, therapy, yoga, and art, these became her steadfast companions through the ups and downs of life. It was a three-month sojourn in the tropical paradise of Tulum, Mexico, that acted as a powerful catalyst. The sun, the ocean, the vibrant culture, and the enriching experiences there breathed new life into her body and mind, significantly shortening her battle with depression.This transformative experience prompted Anna to channel her personal healing journey into a 7-night retreat experience, envisioned to guide others toward healing and self-discovery, just as it had for her. Her mission is to provide a safe space for individuals to rejuvenate, find inner balance, and discover the transformative power of mindfulness and neuroscience. Connect with Anna on Instagram @healingjourneyretreats and anna@thehealingjourneyretreats.com Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie reconnects with Kim Park who courageously recounts her trip back to Korea. As a Korean-born adoptee, Kim opens up about the challenges she faced—from unrealistic expectations and language barriers to the emotional rollercoaster of navigating an international adoption agency. They dive deep into themes of heartbreak, anger, and healing, discussing the complex realities of Korean adoptee experiences as well as the impact of saviorism and religion. Kim reflects on how the trip reshaped her friendships, her career in mental health, and her sense of identity, as well as offers tips for those who may be considering a similar trip or their own.Listen to our first episode with Kim “Therapists in Therapy with Kim Park” on Apple / Spotify.Kim Park (she/her) is a licensed social worker, who identifies as Korean American. She provides psychotherapy in non-profit and private practice settings to encourage and help others find their voice.Mentioned in this episode:Global Overseas Adoptees' Link (G.O.A.'L.) Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

To kick off this month's theme of career and work, this week Diana chats with Will Wang about giving himself permission to leave his corporate career in pursuit of becoming a therapist. Will reflects upon always being the ‘good kid' or guāi, and how these expectations shaped his identity and career choices. He opens up about the pivotal moments that sparked his interest in therapy, and encouragement he received from mentors along the way. Together they delve into the mental blocks he faced, including fears around sharing the decision with his parents as their eldest child. Will discusses the liberating yet terrifying process of applying to graduate programs as well as learning to let go of certainty as he pursues a new path.Will Wang (he/him) is a 2nd-generation Taiwanese-Korean-American, and aspiring therapist. He currently works in global public health focused on epidemic preparedness and response and is in the process of a big career change. His hope is to serve as a healer for populations across the diaspora. Connect with Will at wangwill84@gmail.com Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie is joined by Eugene Lee in exploring the complex intersection of faith, culture, and mental health within the Asian American community. They discuss the role of the church as a cultural community center for Asian Americans and immigrants, as well as the interplay of Asian American culture, Confucian ideals, and perfectionism. Eugene shares his personal evolution from being a young pastor and now a therapist, offering insights into how religious and spiritual trauma, purity culture, and black-and-white thinking impact mental health. Finally, we explore how Eugene helps clients deconstruct their beliefs, revisit their relationship with faith, and honor their unique spiritual paths.Eugene Lee (he/him) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, residing in New York City. Connect with Eugene via email at eugene@counselingwitheugene.com or his website www.counselingwitheugene.com Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

In this two-part episode, Diana delves into the fascinating world of astrology with two practitioners, Gwen Yi and Alice Sparkly Kat.In part 1, Diana chats with Gwen Yi, who explores the myths and misconceptions surrounding Western astrology, especially in her home country of Malaysia. Gwen shares what it's like to receive a reading with her, emphasizing the sacred space she creates for her clients. She shares insights into the deeper levels of astrology, archetypes, the true meaning of “Mercury in retrograde,” and how astrology can be a powerful tool for mental health and self-acceptance. Discover the differences between Western and Eastern astrology and learn how to work with your fundamental nature, rather than trying to change it.In part 2 (~32:37), Diana is joined by Alice Sparkly Kat, who broadens our understanding of astrology by integrating traditional and modern techniques from various cultural perspectives, including a unique Chinese form of astrology. Alice explores the intersections of astrology, mental health, and personality theory, offering astrology as a tool for play, exploration, and deconstructing symbols. They also discuss queer astrology and the differences between working with an astrologer and a therapist. Plus, get tips on how to prepare for an astrology reading and dive into the rich philosophical traditions that astrology offers across different cultures.Gwen Yi (she/her) is a writer, coach and astrologer based in Malaysia. She graduated from Debra Silverman's applied astrology school and currently serves clients globally from her humble Zoom office as @TheAsianAstrologer. In a previous life, Gwen was an award winning entrepreneur and empathy trainer, servicing clients like the Obama Foundation and giving TED talks. These days, she spends her days looking up at the stars and talking about them. Connect with Gwen on Instagram @TheAsianAstrologer, Substack: The Asian Astrologer, and theasianastrologer.comAlice Sparkly Kat (they/them) is an astrologer. Their goal is to practice astrology by reconstructing history, interpreting the present, and nurturing the future. They are the author of Postcolonial Astrology, a book that serves as a history of astrology from a post-colonial perspective which is intersectional, inclusive, and geared towards queer and POC communities. Connect with Alice on Instagram @alicesparklykat and alicesparklykat.com. Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie chats with Bisma Anwar, a Muslim therapist who shares her journey in the mental health field and her dedication to reducing mental health stigma within the Muslim community. Bisma discusses how her dual identities as a Muslim and therapist influence her work with a diverse range of clients. She explores the intersection of religious teachings and South Asian cultural traditions, and highlights the importance of differentiating between cultural practices and religious beliefs. Bisma also delves into helping families navigate intergenerational challenges, communication, boundaries, and the balance between individual autonomy and family expectations. Lastly, Bisma provides valuable insights for non-Muslim therapists working with Muslim clients and offers guidance for Muslim clients seeking the right therapist.Bisma Anwar (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has been a mental health therapist for over a decade. Her work experiences have been in hospitals, non-profits, mental health clinics, and digital mental health startups. Throughout her career she has worked with community based organizations, spoken at panels, done workshops and webinars to provide education and awareness of various mental health issues. Bisma is also the co-founder of Moxie Living, a forum that organizes wellness retreats for women. Their upcoming retreat is in October and will take place in Paris. For more details please go to their website. Connect with Bisma on her website and Instagram @therappuccinoResources for connecting with Muslim therapists:Muslim Therapist DirectoryMuslim Association for Psychological Services (MAPS)Inclusive TherapistsSouth Asian TherapistsKeywords: Muslim Therapist, Faith and Mental Health, Cultural Identity, South Asian Traditions, Religious Abuse, Family Dynamics, Spiritual Well-being, Therapy Stigma, Intergenerational Patterns. Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam is joined by Nat Strafaci, a licensed therapist, clinical supervisor, psychic medium, and spiritual herbalist, who shares their perspective on spirituality as a journey rather than a therapy ‘modality'. Nat offers insights into how colonialism has disrupted connections to spiritual and indigenous practices, and together they discuss how many modern therapeutic approaches are deeply rooted in spiritual traditions. Nat discusses the transformative power of connecting to one's ancestral lineage, and how the body serves as a place of connection with ancestors. Together, Nat and Sam share their experiences of developing a spiritual lens as therapists, and how learning their own family history has deepened their connection with themselves and their ancestors, enriching their work as therapists.Nat Strafaci (they/them) is a licensed therapist, clinical supervisor, psychic medium, and spiritual herbalist living and working on Lenape and Yokuts land. Their private practice, Sunshadow Healing, centers the healing of Queer and Trans People of Color at the intersection of spirituality and mental health. They are also currently facilitating Intuition Immersive: A 12 Week Course for Intuitive Development, Practice, and Process. Connect with Nat on Instagram @sunshadowhealingApplications for enrollment into the Fall 2024 cohort of Intuition Immersive are opening this week. This 12-week immersive serves as a container to explore, practice, and process what living a more intuitive life can look and feel like. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit https://www.sunshadowhealing.com/workshops-eventsMentioned in this episode:It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam, Diana, and Christie delve into Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express to close out this month's theme of bodies and the media. They discuss the movie's portrayal of longing, pining, and missed connections amidst the bustling backdrop of 1990s Hong Kong. They explore the film's representations of indirect communication, cultural identity, and the loneliness and nostalgia that permeate its narrative.  Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam, Diana, and Christie, explore the fascinating world of Satoshi Kon's Paprika, aligning with the July theme of exploring bodies and the media. Discover why Paprika is a favorite of Sam's as she shares her own experiences with the movie and offers insight into the significance of Kon's work in Asian cinema. They explore the themes of dreams and Jungian psychology, parts work, multiple realities and subjectivities, as well as how some scenes reminded them of EMDR. Stay tuned for next week's episode when we'll discuss Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express. Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie sits down with Laura Iu to explore the complexities of diet culture and thin privilege, particularly within Asian American communities. They discuss navigating messages from two cultures, unlearning harmful Eurocentric beauty standards, and reconnecting with ideas of beauty from one's cultural heritage. Together they discuss their own relationships with makeup and appearance, as well as how food is discussed among their families. Additionally, Laura shares how she works alongside her patients in exploring body dysmorphia, desirability, talking to elders about food, and inviting curiosity into one's relationship with food and body.Laura Iu (she/her), R.D., is a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and yoga guide in New York City. She is the owner of Laura Iu Nutrition, a weight inclusive private practice, that offers counseling to help people ditch the diet and nourish a positive relationship with their mind, body and food. Connect with Laura on Instagram @laura.iuMentioned in this episode:Intuitive EatingKimmie Singh, RDSonya Renee TaylorWhat We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam sits down with ethnomusicologist Stephanie Choi to explore the multifaceted world of K-pop. Stephanie shares what prompted her shift from studying traditional Korean music to K-pop, examining it both as performance art and as a cultural phenomenon with global impact. They discuss the industrial system behind K-pop, the linguistic and physical proximity that fosters closeness between idols and fans, and the significant influence of fandoms in shaping the industry. The conversation also touches on deeper themes such as the impact of colonialism, Hollywood stereotypes, and the varied implications for Asian American versus South Korean celebrities. Additionally, they analyze how BTS broke into the US market, the selling and purchasing of intimacy within fandoms, and the differences between K-pop fan interactions and conventional parasocial relationships.Stephanie Jiyun [Jee-yon] Choi (she/her) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Asia Research Institute at the University at Buffalo. She is working on her K-pop ethnography which focuses on cultural globalization, gender and labor politics, and the affective economy of K-pop. Stephanie has interviewed more than 70 people in the K-pop world, from idol singers to industry workers, and most importantly, fans. Connect with Stephanie at schoi43@buffalo.edu Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Diana sits down with mental health advocate Steph Ng to explore the complex world of body image. Steph shares her personal journey with disordered eating and discusses body image as a story we tell ourselves. Steph emphasizes the importance of feeling at home in our bodies and cultivating curiosity rather than criticism from a young age. Drawing from her work with young people, Steph highlights how early body narratives form and the impact of cultural and societal messages on identity. Throughout the episode, Diana and Steph address common body image myths and discuss how media messages contribute to pressures to conform to beauty standards. Steph offers insights into fostering a positive self-image and navigating these challenges with compassion.Steph Ng (she/her) is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and Ph.D. researcher whose work aims to foster caring conversations on body image and mental health issues. She is the founder of Body Banter, a registered charity in Hong Kong that empowers youth voices in body image conversations, and the author of “Big Bites Break Boundaries”, a new book that recounts her personal experiences with an eating disorder and her professional experiences in Hong Kong's mental health landscape.Connect with Steph:@themightymunchkin@bodybanter@bigbitesbreakboundarieshttps://themightymunchkin.weebly.com/https://www.bodybanter.com/ Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie is joined by Bokyung Kim who shares their personal experiences of queering the healing journey. They reflect upon how early love injuries and unmet needs evolved into beliefs about disconnection and belonging, as well as patterns of sex and love addiction. Through her own story of healing and connection with queerness, Bokyung discusses the transformative power of being in connection with oneself and the practice of meeting different parts of ourselves with curiosity and compassion. Together, they discuss queering her relationship with her best friend, working alongside queer trans Asian clients in healing trauma, as well as questioning narratives about marriage, being alone, and death.Bokyung Kim (they/she), LCSW, is an experiential, decolonial therapist who integrates somatics, brain change science, and ancestral wisdom to help clients transform their trauma & unlock true belonging with themselves and others. Connect with Bokyung on her website or on Instagram @thequeertraumatherapist Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Diana sits down with Kim Konopka who delves into the interplay of identity in relation to queerness, neurodivergence, and being a transracial adoptee. Kim shares their journey of self-discovery and the profound impact of learning about their autism in adulthood, offering reflection upon their experiences of masking, wanting to blend in, and the fear of abandonment. They explore the nuanced themes of safety, disclosure, forced intimacy, and the delicate balance of what gets shared, planted, or buried. Kim discusses the impact of the model minority myth on their mental health, as well as their life-changing experience in therapy which provided them the permission to take up more space and explore their identity safely. Together they discuss the privilege and access involved in formal assessments, as well as the importance of self-identification and trusting people to know themselves.Kim (they/them) is a psychotherapist in private practice. They often work with neurodivergent QTBIPOC and transracial adoptees. Kim aims to be a compassionate collaborator who shows up with curiosity and care. They are known for their playfulness, emotive expression and moments of quiet reflection.Connect with Kim:kim@yungmeepsychotherapy.comhttps://www.yungmeepsychotherapy.com Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie is joined by Veronica Chin Hing-Michaluk who brings in their own lived experience to illustrate a compassionate exploration of queer identity, shame, and healing from disconnection. Veronica discusses how they work in collaboration with clients to restore connection, understand intergenerational patterns, identify systems of oppression, and create space for collective healing. Veronica helps us explore the transformative potential of play and pleasure amidst pain and oppression, highlighting how laughter and solidarity are crucial for survival. Our conversation touches on the financial aspects of the therapeutic relationship, decolonizing thought and therapy practices, feeling "queer enough", and modern dating.From Veronica (they/them): Some fixed aspects of Self include grounding in a Black Indigenous Puerto Rican Chinese-Jamaican upbringing with a diverse ancestral plane; reconnecting to BIPOC, queer identity in young adulthood; connecting more deeply to nonbinary indigenous identity in adulthood; and reflecting anti-oppressive healing frameworks in my own communities to help dismantle the stats on mental health outcomes. I've practiced as a fully-licensed NYS mental health counselor since 2019, and will be celebrating 5 years running my private practice, VNC Therapy New York, in the Fall.Connect with Veronica:www.vnctherapy.comvnctherapy@gmail.comMy Intimacy card deck is available a resource for anyone wanting freebies: www.vnctherapy.com/intimacyMentioned in this episode:Kintsugi Therapist CollectiveInclusive TherapistsApicha Community Health Center Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Diana chats with Sil Chen about exploring queer identity across cultures. Sil shares her personal journey growing up in Taiwan and the cultural adjustments she faced after immigrating to the U.S. She opens up about what shifted her from a career in biotechnology to social work, and how her family reacted. Diana and Sil delve into cultural norms and expectations around queerness and coming out between Taiwan and the U.S. They also discuss how beauty standards, public displays of affection like hand-holding, and dating—especially for Asian men—differ between these two cultures.Sil Si-Wei Chen (she/her), MA, LCSW-R, is a non-binary, queer Taiwanese psychotherapist and emotional wellness coach offering teletherapy in New York and coaching services worldwide. A certified Gestalt therapist integrating Internal Family Systems and Buddhist Psychology in her practice, Sil specializes in working with creatives and engineers in the Asian-American and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as with queer and interracial couples. Connect with Sil at silchentherapy.com Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week as AANHPI Heritage Month comes to a close, Christie and Sam reflect upon their conversations with guests this month around biracial, South Asian, and Pacific Islander identity. They ground their reflections referencing racial identity development models sharing their own reactions to the frameworks, as well as considering the history of the “Asian American” political identity.Mentioned in this episode:Asian American Identity Development Model (Jean Kim, 1981)Biracial Identity Development (W. S. Carlos Poston, 1990)1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed* on HBO Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie chats with returning guest Cathay Che about her personal experience navigating the complexities of being both Asian American and Native Hawaiian. Cathay recounts her childhood move to Hawaii, highlighting the cultural shock, melancholy, and sense of alienation she experienced. They discuss cultural messages about giving back to one's community, cultivating reciprocal relationships, shedding light on the complexities within contemporary Hawaiian culture that stem from a history of colonization and immigration. Together, they discuss misconceptions and the lack of representation faced by Hawaii and Pacific Islanders in the broader U.S. context. Drawing from her background as a former travel writer, Cathay shares her insights from exploring other Pacific islands like Rapa Nui, encouraging listeners to approach their travels with curiosity and intentionality.Cathay Che is a Japanese American and Native Hawaiian LCSW, with a virtual Private Practice treating clients in New York, California and Rhode Island.  She earned her MSW from Columbia University in 2013 and was part of the clinical treatment team at The Hazelden Betty Ford outpatient clinic in New York City from 2012-2020. Connect with Cathay on Zencare Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

In this week's exploration of identity, Sam is joined by dear friend and fellow therapist Anjali Jacob, LMHC, who shares her own journey of investigating South Asian identity, belonging, and the search for answers in the face of disconnection. Anjali shares her personal reflections on navigating the complexities of caste, religion, the colonial legacy embedded in last names, and the profound sense of isolation when experiencing something that feels unnameable. Together they offer ways to tune into your own questions and curiosity, to reflect upon larger cultural forces with a social justice lens, and seek connection as an antidote to isolation.Anjali Jacob (she/her) is a licensed mental health counselor practicing in the greater New York area. She specializes in c-ptsd and trauma-informed approaches, working specifically with BIPOC 1.5 and 2nd immigrants. Connect with Anjali at info@anjalijtherapy.com or anjalijtherapy.com Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam is joined by comedian and author Youngmi Mayer to discuss their unique experiences being biracial. While Youngmi grew up in Korea and Saipan and Sam was raised in the U.S., the two connect over memories of being othered both within and outside of their respective families, and delve into how their lives reflect larger forces of immigration, culture and privilege. Youngmi shares how her identity work influenced the writing of her upcoming memoir, "I'm Laughing Because I'm Crying," as well as her mom's response to including raw details about her childhood and the healing effect of humor.Youngmi Mayer (she/they) is a standup comedian, content creator and author living in NYC with her son, Mino. Instagram @ymmayerTikTok @youngmimayerListen to Hairy Butthole PodcastPre-order I'm Laughing Because I'm CryingThank you to Embrace Change for sponsoring this episode!Saying No free resource: https://www.embracechange.nyc/saying-no-beyond-the-couchEmbrace Change website: https://embracechange.nyc/Don't Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color: https://www.embracechange.nyc/bookEmbrace Change Coaching: https://www.embracechange.nyc/career-coaching-programsFollow Embrace Change on social media:https://instagram.com/embracechangenyc/https://linkedin.com/in/embracechangenyc/https://www.youtube.com/embracechangenychttps://tiktok.com/@embracechangenyc Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a TherapistJoin our Clinician Community Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

Welcome to Season 3 of Beyond the Couch! We're back with a fresh look and a revamped structure. Join us as we dive deep into a new theme each month. With May being both Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, we're starting off with the theme of identity. This week, Sam, Diana and Christie catch up on how transitions and travel during the break have allowed for their own exploration, and discuss what's to come this season. Tune in every Wednesday as we explore identity, queerness, body, spirituality, and career with new and returning guests.  Bridges Mental Health aims to connect Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

Content warning: family abuse, sexual abuse, self-harmThis week, Christie, Sam, and Diana get together to reflect on the past year, and share which of the 104(!) podcast episodes they have recorded were some of their favorites. Then, Sam speaks with Heawon Hake about how family secrets can affect and damage a family. Heawon describes the difference between good and bad secrets, which types of secrets must be disclosed, and the types of ego defenses that result from a festering family secret.Heawon Hake (she/her), LCSW-R, ASAC, is a Korean American psychotherapist with 34 years of experience across clinical, community and nonprofit work. Her newly published memoir, Daughter of Korean Freud, is a heartbreaking and raw account of how her work as a counselor resurfaced childhood wounds and allowed her to connect with freedom and healing in the process.Connect with Heawon:www.koreanamericanpsychotherapist.comthewayofkap@gmail.comInstagram @thewayofkapMentioned in this episode:Christie's highlighted episodes: Intergenerational Trauma & Internal Family Systems with Natalie Hung (Apple / Spotify)Ancestral Healing Work with Chi Young Kim (Apple / Spotify)Racialization and Reconnecting with Ancestors with Natalie Hung (Apple / Spotify)Sam's highlighted episode: ADHD & Partnerships with Suzanne Eng (Apple / Spotify)Diana's highlighted episodes: People-Pleasing and Codependency (Apple / Spotify)The Drama Triangle (Apple / Spotify)Stepping Out of the Drama Triangle ( Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Diana chats with Dr. Matt Poon about growing up with Asian parents, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and how we can expand our mindset to live a fuller and more balanced life. Dr. Poon shares how he helps clients slow down, reflect, and move away from binary thinking, and how talking openly about struggles or perfectionism can help us all feel supported and less alone.Dr. Matt Poon (he/him) is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing virtually in NYC. His practice specializes in working with high-performing professionals who struggle with perfectionism, work-life balance, and relationship issues.Connect with Matt:Website: www.drmattpoon.comInstagram: @drmattpoon Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie is joined by NYC-based clinical psychologist, Dr. Yun Chen, to discuss what it's like to have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help mitigate the pain that might come with living with OCD. They explore the ways in which the tenets of ACT can help people live fuller lives through learning to address and cope with negative thought patterns, as well as accept and make the best of their situation. Christie and Dr. Chen also discuss some steps for quieting an especially powerful intrusive thought and how ACT can be applicable or resonant with the Asian population.Connect with Dr. Yun Chen:cbt@dryunchen.comdryunchen.comYoutube Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Diana (@therapywithdiana) sits down with Pallavi Ankolekar (@healingwithpallavi) to talk about how growing up as a child of immigrants can the ways we navigate our finances. They discuss how generational differences in attitudes towards work and rest also translate into how we use money for bare necessities vs pleasure. They also talk about the guilt that can arise from using money on ourselves, and how a scarcity mindset often prevents folks with immigrant backgrounds from taking career-related risks or the space and time to slow down.Pallavi Ankolekar (she/her), LCSW, is a 1.5 generation South Asian therapist currently living in DC but licensed to practice in NY and NJ. She specializes in trauma and incorporate many different modalities including EMDR through an overall relational lens.Connect with Pallavi:Instagram @healingwithpallavihttps://www.steadynyc.com/pallavi@steadynyc.comMentioned in this episode:Ramit Sethi's How to Get Rich on Netflix Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Sam is rejoined by Minji (our very own Bridges intern) for the second installment of the Grad School Diaries mini-series. Minji shares updates from her second and final year of her program, what it's been like to see clients for the first time, and the joys and challenges of practicing therapy in the real world. She also opens up about personal lessons she's learned from being on the other side of the room as the therapist.After nearly a decade in the creative industry, Minji (she/her) is currently a counseling psychology student at Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles. She is especially interested in working with Asian, Asian diasporic/immigrant individuals, couples, and families, as well those navigating interracial relationships or other cultural challenges. She loves chatting about all things mental health, career-changing, and dogs (bonus points if poodles), so don't hesitate to connect with Minji at mkim108@gmail.com.Mentioned in the episode:Couples Therapy (Showtime)Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie sits down with Jiaming Ju to chat about the value and deep wisdom of traditional east Asian medicine. Jiaming shares how she went from her long career as a longevity economist to joining the work of her father at Kun Health. They talk about eastern medicine's individualized approach to every person, the shortcomings of western views on health and food, and how traditional medicine can become more accessible to younger generations. They also discuss what it means to “eat your feelings, how mental stress shows up as physical ailments, and the power of reclaiming one's culture while living in western society.Jiaming Ju is the co-founder of Kun Health, a virtual Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic, which she runs alongside her father Ying Ju. Jiaming grew up watching her father work in his TCM clinic in north-eastern China where the smell of herbs drifted through the air. After building a career leading the world's largest data collection on senior adults from New York to Singapore, Jiaming enrolled in one of the only dual lingual TCM graduate schools in North America. Connect with Jiaming @kunhealth Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Sam reunites with Samuel Shin to chat about how people-pleasing shows up specifically for Asian men, and the importance of men tending to old wounds and connecting to their inner worlds. Samuel discusses his methods and techniques for helping Asian men heal, get in touch with their authentic selves, and regain their agency. He shares his thoughts on how masculinity and toxic masculinity have become conflated in the discourse of today, and how he aims to help redefine and reclaim what it means to have healthy masculinity.Samuel (he/him) is a licensed therapist, certified men's coach and 2nd generation Korean-American. His education & training was in humanistic-existential, psychodynamic and transpersonal psychologies. However, he left the therapy field in 2018 to become a transformational coach where he has been focusing his work on Asian mental health specifically with Asian men. Samuel works 1:1 with Asian men in his coaching practice, but also runs Asian men's groups and will be running the first-ever Asian men's retreat in early 2024! Connect with Samuel @thehealingasianMentioned in this episode:Iron John: A Book About Men by Robert BlyKing, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine by Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie talks with Jonathan Blazon Yee, LCSW, about how his work as a psychoanalyst was first inspired by an experience of feeling deeply seen in therapy. Jonathan shares how contemporary psychoanalysis tunes into the relational worlds between client and therapist, and allows one to explore the question of “Who am I?” Together, they explore the importance of addressing differences between oneself and others especially as Asian therapists working with Asian American clients.Jonathan Blazon Yee (he/him), LCSW, is a relational psychoanalyst who works collaboratively with clients to help them understand the thought patterns, belief systems, and expectations that influence how they move through the world. He completed psychoanalytic training at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies, where he currently serves on the faculty. Connect with Jonathan on Bridges.Mentioned in this episode:The Asian American Center for Psychoanalysis Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Sam chats with Cathay Che, LCSW, about how addiction impacts and shows up in the AAPI community. They discuss misconceptions about substance use and addiction, and how stigma and shame impact the way addiction is perceived within the AAPI population. They dive into the various ways addiction impacts the family network and how addiction can be addressed in both conventional and creative, novel ways.Cathay Che is a Japanese American and Native Hawaiian LCSW, with a virtual Private Practice treating clients in New York, California and Rhode Island.  She earned her MSW from Columbia University in 2013 and was part of the clinical treatment team at The Hazelden Betty Ford outpatient clinic in New York City from 2012 -2020. Connect with Cathay on Zencare. Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie is back with Clarice Hassan to continue their conversation about new parenthood in the AAPI community, this time focusing on fathers and paternal mental health. They talk about the different challenges that new fathers face as they try to balance their new roles with the expectations of traditional masculinity from previous generations. They explore the different ways AAPI fathers might express affection, and they discuss the relative lack of support and community for new fathers when they do have questions about infant care and how to best tend to their spouse postpartum.Clarice Hassan (she/her), LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in California and New York, running both a private practice and a growing group practice, Phronetic Psychotherapy LCSW PC. She identifies as Asian and has focused on maternity and paternity mental health, as well as parenthood transitions, especially in the past few years since becoming a parent herself. Connect with Clarice: https://www.onlinetherapyny.org/ Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie sits down with Clarice Hassan to discuss mental health within the context of new motherhood. Clarice shares how her own personal experiences of becoming a mother informed her passion to focus her work on maternity mental health. They delve into the challenges of balancing one's aspirations and desires with the demands of this new, life-changing role. They also talk about navigating the differences in parenting values from those of the previous generation and how empowering it can be to learn, unlearn, remake, and discover new personal values along the way.Clarice Hassan (she/her), LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in California and New York, running both a private practice and a growing group practice, Phronetic Psychotherapy LCSW PC. She identifies as Asian and has focused on maternity and paternity mental health, as well as parenthood transitions, especially in the past few years since becoming a parent herself. Connect with Clarice: https://www.onlinetherapyny.org/ Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie chats with Suzanne Eng about being in partnership with someone with ADHD. They talk about the challenges and strengths that ADHD brings to the relationship, as well as the various misconceptions surrounding the diagnosis. Suzanne shares her own experiences with a spouse with ADHD, and she offers ways to help others have greater empathy, better understand, and resolve conflicts more effectively with one another in order to thrive as a couple living with ADHD.Suzanne Eng (she/her) is a wife, mother, daughter, therapist and friend. Brought up in Chicago and then moving to New York has taught her about the challenge of not just living but enjoying who she is despite difficult circumstances and to always be grateful. Connect with Suzanne:24creativearttherapy.com twentyfour24cat@gmail.com@twentyfourcatMentioned in this episode:The ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa OrlovADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer's World by Thom Hartmann Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Diana and Sam catch up on what they've been up to as they enter into the fall season. They reminisce about the feelings they used to get as they started a new school year, and Christie and Diana share what they've been realizing through their language classes. They all discuss their evolving relationships to work and productivity, and the importance of having a sense of purpose and personal definition of success. Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Diana sits down with Priscilla Chin to talk about psychoanalysis, its misconceptions, and the differences between psychoanalysis and other modalities. They discuss the various techniques and interventions that are used in analysis; how it can help explore our internal worlds, past, and unconscious thoughts; and how it can empower people of color to take control of their own narratives.Priscilla Chin, LCSW (she/her) is a therapist, psychoanalyst, and a group practice owner for a culturally responsive online therapy practice in New York, New Jersey, and DC. Learn more about Priscilla at imagineemotionalwellness.com or @imagineemotionalwellness Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Diana, and Sam share their views on the moral and ethical questions posed in a couple therapy-related posts from Reddit's “Am I the A*hole” thread. They discuss one person's dilemma about sharing details from his therapy session to his concerned mother, and another case in which the poster is concerned about the changes he is noticing in his partner after she begins seeing a therapist. Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Diana is back with Lynn Min to talk about money and how our finances shape so much of our identity, sense of freedom, and, ultimately, our ability to return to our true selves. They discuss their relationships to money and the ways in which they've crafted their money stories throughout their lives.Lynn Min (she/her), LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor, a certified life coach, a pastor, and a mom of three. Connect with Lynn at lynnmin.com or @soulmattersllc Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Sam, and Diana talk about their relationships to each of their ancestral languages and the grief they feel from not being as fluent as they'd like. Christie and Diana share what they've been learning through their respective language classes and explore what it means to be connected (or not) to a culture through language. Sam reflects on her recent trip to Japan and what it meant to be able to have even some simple conversations, as well as how she's navigated her biracial identity throughout her life.Mentioned in this episode:The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature by Steven Pinker Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie is rejoined by Nita Batta and Tiffany Momoko Kindred to discuss what it's like for children to try to make sense of their identity, grow up between multiple cultures, and balance individual and others' needs. They also talk about redefining familial relationships and how to retain a sense of self and leading with curiosity as a parent.Nita Batta, LMSW | The pull lies in the strength of the familiar; the push is an urge to create space and jump into the unfamiliar. As an individual who was raised between two cultures, I offer a warm and safe space to discuss cultural competency as it relates to your life. Connect with Nita at nita@agoodplacetherapy.comTiffany Momoko Kindred, LMSW | Being biracial and bicultural, I understand the complexities of holding multiple identities. I walk alongside individuals and couples to help them explore and gain an understanding of how their past has led them to their present, and how they want to move from the present into a happier, more fulfilling future. Connect with Tiffany at tiffany@agoodplacetherapy.com Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Diana and Sam drop in to say hi and tease upcoming episodes for the rest of the year. Tune in to hear what themes we'll be discussing with both new and returning guests! Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Diana chats with Nicole Cruz about changing careers and listening to yourself in order to live bravely and pursue your biggest goals. They talk about how to overcome your fears and move away from fear as a motivator. They also dive into how to differentiate your own beliefs from others' and confront your inner critic with compassion.Nicole (she/her) is a certified life and leadership coach and the CEO of Nicole Cruz Coaching, the first coaching company to cater specifically to the needs of the 1st & 2nd generation immigrant community. Through a culturally-aware and trauma-informed approach, Nicole helps folks with immigrant roots to become powerful leaders by helping them unlearn inherited generational limits, embrace their complex identities, and unleash their natural strengths.Connect with Nicole:@nicolecruzcoachingnicolecruzcoaching.com Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

From Toni Kim (she/her): My practice embodies a holistic and integrative approach that incorporates wisdom from the world of neuroscience, as well as, more esoteric and intuitive traditions. I believe that the process of healing and the subsequent result of personal growth and transformation is a sacred and courageous journey that I feel honored to be co-facilitating and co-creating through Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) experiences. I hope to offer a loving presence and a compassionate container to allow connection to the inner wisdom that lies within all of us.Connect with Toni:www.tonidkim.comwww.innersoundcollective.comMentioned in this episode:Journey Clinical Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Diana reunites with Dr. I-Ching Grace Hung to catch up on how Dr. Hung's return to her motherland, Taiwan, has been so far. They talk about cultural perspectives of values, time and productivity, and relationships to family. They also share their personal experiences navigating changes and how their feelings about their identity and attitudes towards embracing uncertainty have shifted as a result.Dr. I-Ching Grace Hung (she/her) is a licensed psychologist and coach, offering teletherapy to individuals and couples in NY, CA, and MI, and coaching services globally. Grace specializes in helping people find meaning, purpose, identity, and fulfillment through a unique lens of Buddhism + psychology, anchoring on the pursuit of self-awareness, growing deeply and intentionally, all with a dash of candidness in the face of the chaos/hilarity of life. She is currently living out her own version of a fulfilled life, featuring slow travels, remote and flexible work aligned with her purpose.Connect with Grace on Instagram @thewakingbell and on ZenCare Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Diana, and Sam get together to talk about the differences between therapy and coaching, outlining what each offers and who might benefit from them. For the latter half of the episode (starts at 15:00), Sam sits down with Catherine Kim, LMHC to discuss the challenges of straddling two different cultures as an APISA-identified individual and how to navigate these multiple senses of identity.Catherine Kim (she/her), LMHC, specializes in supporting individuals who are experiencing cultural conflicts, identity issues, relationship problems, anxiety, and depression. She is especially dedicated to challenging the stigmas that often surround mental health in Asian cultures, with the goal of encouraging more individuals in the AAPI community to prioritize their well-being and pursue a healthier life.Connect with Catherine:catherine@whatbringsyouintoday.comPhone: 646-481-3124Curious to learn more about coaching? Hear from coaches themselves in our recent episodes:CBD/Cannabis for Anxiety & Depression with Amy Chin (released 5/31/23)Challenging Imposter Syndrome with Angela Kerrigan (11/16/22)Financial Anxiety, Scarcity, & Enoughness with Lindsay Bryan-Podvin (10/26/22)The Art of Authentic Dating with Samuel Shin (9/28/22)Taking Asian Women Seriously with Sheena Yap Chan (9/14/22)Surviving Burnout & Stepping Off the Corporate Ladder with Annalyn Cruz (8/31/22)Failing My Way Forward and Embracing Career Changes with Cynthia Pong (8/17/22)How to Succeed as an International Student with Dr. Vivi (1/12/22) Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Sam sits down with Steph Kim to chat about navigating the process of forging a fulfilling career as a person of color. They talk about how imposter syndrome especially impacts women and POC, as well as how the immigrant experience adds an additional layer of challenges in the career journey. They also discuss the importance and difficulties of finding the right balance between self-advocacy and honoring family dynamics and expectations throughout the process.Steph Kim (she/her/hers) is a 2nd generation Korean American career coach born, and currently, in New York. She is proud to be your notsobossybestie- sharing professional secrets that your boss won't tell you, dedicated to empowering and equipping young professionals, especially people of color, with the confidence as well as practical skills to pursue their next career step.For anyone who listens to this podcast and uses the code “BRIDGES” will receive 20% off any service with @NotSoBossyBestieConnect with Steph:Website@notsobossybestie Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Sam, and Diana get together for their last discussion about pursuing a career in mental health. They talk about post-grad life, what the path looks like after graduation, and their favorite and not-so-favorite parts about their jobs. They address the financial realities of a mental health career, pros and cons of various paths you can take, and how to assess which path might be right for you. For mental health professionals, recent grads and those new to the field: Join our Clinician Community! Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie chats with Tyler Mafi (@therapywithtyler) about how his transition led to the reshaping of his relationship with his family and, as a result, more open conversations around queerness and mental health. Tyler also shares how empowering his clients to reflect on their senses of self motivated him to more actively engage with his own identity. They also dive into how to balance and hold space for the needs and desires of both oneself and one's family.Tyler (he/him) is an NYC-based queer, trans, multicultural therapist committed to providing you a nonjudgmental, brave space to explore your identity, relationships, and sense of purpose.Connect with Tyler:Website@therapywithtyler Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Sam and Diana return to the topic of pursuing a career in mental health and answer some of your questions! They cover the work they did while in graduate school, as well as the timeline and path they took from graduate school to licensure and beyond. They also share their thoughts on their programs and how they made the most of their experience. Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Sam sits down with Amy Chin to discuss the benefits of CBD and/or cannabis for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. They talk about how to incorporate plant medicine into one's routine as a way to lead a fuller, healthier, and less stressful life. They also explore the nuances of cannabinoid use as it pertains to each person, and the importance of continuing to challenge the stigmas around the use of plant medicine, especially among moms/parents and the Asian community.As a sufferer of anxiety and postpartum depression, Amy found great relief with CBD and from that moment, led to her passion in normalizing 3 big stigmas in the Asian community: cannabis, mental health and moms consuming the plant.Connect with Amy:https://calmbetterdays.co/@calm_better_daysMentioned in this episode:Project CBD Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall

This week, Christie, Sam, and Diana get together to continue their discussion of the drama triangle and how to extricate yourself from it. They go into examples of the different roles (victim, rescuer, and persecutor) as they might appear in a hypothetical immigrant/2nd gen family. They share some tactical solutions that can be reached through non-violent communication, self-reflection and -awareness, and shifting of one's role within relationships.Mentioned in this episode:Drama Triangle example Bridges Mental Health is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care.Find a Therapist.Join our Clinician Community. Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.@bridgesmentalhealthbridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.combuymeacoffee.com/bridgesmhCover photo by Janice ChungTheme music by Will Marshall