Episode 219: Asian American Mental Health

Asian American Mental Health

An interview with Linda Yoon, LCSW, on specific mental health needs of Asian American clients. Curt and Katie talk with Linda about what therapists often get wrong when working with Asian clients and colleagues. We explore the model minority myth, fetishization of Asian women, and the complexity of the heterogeneous group that falls under the term “Asian American.” We also talk about steps therapists can take to better support Asian American people. 

It’s time to reimagine therapy and what it means to be a therapist. To support you as a whole person and a therapist, your hosts, Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy talk about how to approach the role of therapist in the modern age.

Interview with Linda Yoon, LCSW, Founder and Co-Director of Yellow Chair Collective

Linda is the founder and the co-director of Yellow Chair Collective, a multicultural psychotherapy group with a special focus on Asian mental health. Linda has over 10 years of experience in the field of social work and mental health. Before starting Yellow Chair Collective, she worked in residential and outpatient mental health clinics, domestic and intimate relationship violence programs, and affordable and inclusive housing services, often serving Asian and Asian Pacific Islanders and the immigrant/refugee population.

Linda is passionate about community outreach and provides workshops on social and mental health topics including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), cultural sensitivity, parenting, self and community care, family violence, refugee/immigrant issues, and Asian American mental health. Her work has been featured in the LA Times, KXN, CBS Radio, KPBS, Al Dia Politics, and Crushing the Myth. Linda also has been a panelist for KQED Forum, NPR Podcast, and USC Center for Health Journalism speaking about Asian Mental Health needs during the pandemic and anti-Asian hate crime surge. Linda is also an active committee member of NASW-CA Asian Pacific Islander Council - Southern California.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why Asian American Mental Health is so important
• What therapists are getting wrong when working with Asian clients and colleagues
• The Model Minority myth, bias and stereotypes
• The lack of understanding of who Asian Americans are (and the heterogeneity of this group – there’s over 20 Asian countries with different languages and characteristics)
• Self-gaslighting, dismissal of Asian American racism experiences
• Accurate assessment and important questions to ask
• Looking at different immigration stories, languages spoken, what culture they relate to if their families come from more than one culture
• The barriers Asian Americans face in seeking mental health treatment
• The different perspective on mental health and the understanding of body and mind
• Collectivism and the impact on an individual seeking mental health services
• How different generations may perceive mental health treatment
• Culturally and linguistically appropriate services
• The potential missing data due to Asian Americans not reporting to or trusting the census
• The current spotlight on Asian hate and racism, and the history of violence against Asian people
• Common microaggressions
• The importance of educating oneself and avoiding assumptions, the value of consultation
• Ways to help with antiracism relevant to Asian Americans
• Questions to ask yourself to support Asian clients and colleagues