In this episode, I sit down with a Korean American psychologist who reflects on vulnerable early-career moments when cultural differences shaped how she understood clients’ expressions of suicidal ideation. In her culture of origin, language about death and wanting to die was often woven into everyday speech — a nuance that initially influenced how she assessed risk in the therapy room. Together, we explore how culture shapes meaning, why suicidal language does not translate evenly across contexts, and how cross-cultural humility — not perfection — is essential to ethical and attuned clinical care.

Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation and may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care.

Dr Jeongmi Moon

https://www.drmoon.live

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