Clinically Working with Asian Americans: Appreciating Diversity and Complexity Amid Multiple Social Stressors and Racial Traumas

There must be critical social justice in times of racial pandemic to support Asian Americans for rising up, speaking out, staying strong amid microaggressions and repeated traumas. Clinically working with Asian Americans means appreciating diversity as well as complexities. Acknowledging Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and identities must also recognize critical social justice movements in these times of racial pandemic. In addition to expressing psychological challenges, therapeutic interventions may also support Asian Americans “rising up, speaking out, and staying consistently strong.” The global pandemic in current context has further exposed the “virus” of racism and xenophobia against Asians and Asian Americans. These relational forms of hate, violence, discrimination and trauma are not new but historical. There will be a revisiting of some of these historic as well ongoing injustices in the U.S. including their impact on the wellness of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) multicultural communities.

This program is part of the Professional Development Training Institute Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion series.

• Describe the bimodal demographic features of AAPI communities which impact mental health.
• Identify cultural and community resources relevant to AAPI resilience into treatment planning and considerations.
• List ongoing assumptions and stereotypes as well as positive cultural influences of Asian American individuals, young adults, and families.
• Provide some examples of challenges, struggles, stressors, sources of strength and resilience of the socialization, adaptation and wellness of Asian Americans.

Matthew R. Mock, PhD