Who I work with
People from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds
Culture, language, migration, family expectations and living between different cultural worlds can shape how we understand ourselves, our relationships and what we believe we 'should' be doing.
I have lived in several countries and have had the privilege of working clinically with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, including people adjusting to migration and displacement, and people whose families continue to be affected by experiences of war and intergenerational trauma.
These experiences have strengthened my belief that psychological difficulties need to be understood within a person's cultural, family and historical context, not simply as a list of symptoms.
Saturdays: In person in Blackburn · Wednesdays & Thursdays: Telehealth, including after hours
What often comes up
- Family expectations about study, work or marriage
- Feeling caught between two cultures
- Pressure to succeed, or to not let people down
- Difficulty talking about emotional difficulties at home
- Migration, visa or settlement stress
- Being away from family and support networks
- Guilt about choices that differ from family hopes
- Experiences of discrimination or being misunderstood
Therapy in English or Mandarin
Some things are easier to say in your first language. Sessions can be held in English or Mandarin, and you are welcome to move between them within a session if that helps.
If culture, language, family expectations or migration experiences are relevant to what you are going through, they can be included naturally in the therapy.
There is also a Chinese-language information page available if that is easier to read or to share with family.
How I try to work
I do not assume what a good life should look like for you, or that your family or culture is the problem. We look together at what is helping, what is making things harder, and what you would like to be different.
Where it is useful, therapy can include practical strategies. Where it is useful to go further, we can look at what you learned about yourself and your responsibilities along the way, and how that may still be affecting you now.
Wondering whether this might be a fit?
You don’t need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch. Tell me a little about what you’re looking for and I’ll contact you about the next step.
Want to talk first? You are welcome to to ask a couple of questions.