Beyond the Couch

This week, Sam, Diana & Christie chat about the origin of attachment theory, different attachment styles, and how understanding your personal attachment style can be beneficial to the way you relate to others. Together they discuss how to learn from, embrace and work with your attachment style, and build intimacy instead of shame with others. They also talk about how attachment styles might impact patterns of thinking, behavior, and personalities, and what we can do when differing styles cause friction in relationships. Have you thought about what your attachment style might be?

Mentioned in the episode:

• Psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s work on attachment theory
• Attached by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S. F. Heller, M.A.

 
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.
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This week, Diana chats with Joy Lieberthal Rho, LCSW (@iamadoptee) about how adoptees might explore their cultural and racial identity, the key challenges they face in defining a sense of self and family, and how the adoptee community has evolved and found camaraderie with the diasporan AAPI community at large. They chat about how conversations around identity and the adoption process have been able to become more nuanced with greater visibility of the adoptee community and the expanded national consciousness around race. Joy also offers some advice for psychotherapists working with adoptees, as well as her hopes for how the “success” of an adoption may be measured going forward.

Joy Lieberthal Rho, LCSW, (she/her) is a Korean American adoptee woman, a social worker, therapist and mother. Connect with Joy on Instagram/Facebook @iamadoptee or via email at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

• IAMAdoptee.org
• Sejong Camp

 
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.
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Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
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This week, Christie is back with Nita Batta, LMSW, and Tiffany Momoko Kindred, LMSW, to explore complex identities and cultures within romantic partnerships. They discuss navigating multicultural partnerships themselves, and offer guidance on cultivating curiosity, respect and acceptance of each other’s differences.  Together, they explore ways to honor the traditions and experience of each partner as well as co-create a new shared identity of ‘we’ in partnership.

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 [email protected]

Tiffany 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 [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

• Identity Wheel Example
• Cultural Inclusion Index
• 5 Questions Inter-Ethnic Couples Should Ask Before Getting Married Blog
• Learn more about Nita and Tiffany and their group practice website A Good Place

 
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 Therapist
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Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
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This week, Diana chats with Sammy Yuen about how he merges his work in the creative and publishing world with his personal passions to help people fight against anti-Asian hate. Sammy shares how he has contributed to his community through his art and self-defense classes, how his relationship to his Asian-American roots and history has evolved, and how he cares for himself throughout all that he juggles. Diana and Sammy also discuss the pleasant surprises that come with seeing how one thing can lead to another, and the significance of community care.

Sammy Yuen (he/him) is an artist, illustrator, designer and self-defense instructor. Who has recently merged his personal and professional life to help fight anti-Asian hate. Connect with Sammy at www.sammyuen.com or @sammynycart

Mentioned in this episode:

• Meals for Unity
• Mott Street Girls
• Yu and Me Books
• You Are Not Alone Murals
• See Sammy’s gallery show (starting 9/8/22 through December) with Mott Street Girls at Pearl River Mart to benefit Chinatown businesses that were affected by the pandemic

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to any of the 24/7 resources below:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• NYC Well: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Or go to your nearest ER

 
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 Therapist
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Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam is back with Dr. Michelle Chung to talk about how to identify the two different types of perfectionistic behaviors and begin to challenge them. They chat about how each category of perfectionism can manifest at work, in relationships, and in our inner monologues, getting in the way of healthy ways to approach life. Though it may be challenging, they discuss ways to practice adopting a growth mindset and self-compassion to celebrate the small wins and minimize turning to maladaptive perfectionism to realize success.

A clinical psychologist based in New York City, Dr. Chung specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood, ADHD and executive functioning disorders. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Biofeedback models, Dr. Chung works with youth, families and adults in her boutique private practice with 5 other associates. She is also on the faculty of the Mt. Sinai Medical Center and runs In Practice with Dr. Michelle Chung (@dr.michellechung), an Instagram online platform of courses and workshops about mental health and emotional well-being. Connect with Dr. Chung at drmichellechung.com and at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

• Carol Dweck
• Angela Duckworth
• No Stupid Questions Podcast

 
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 Therapist
Join our Clinician Community

Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam chats with Dr. Michelle Chung about how Confucianist roots, collectivist values, and the idea of filial piety prime perfectionist thinking in many Asian cultures. They discuss the paralysis that might come with perfectionism, as well as guilt and shame when perfectionist goals are not met. As Asian-Americans themselves, they also dive into the idea that hard work will lead to success and how it contributes to the Model Minority Myth and the immigrant experience. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where they will discuss how to recognize perfectionism and tips on how to challenge perfectionist beliefs!

A clinical psychologist based in New York City, Dr. Chung specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood, ADHD and executive functioning disorders. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Biofeedback models, Dr. Chung works with youth, families and adults in her boutique private practice with 5 other associates. She is also on the faculty of the Mt. Sinai Medical Center and runs In Practice with Dr. Michelle Chung (@dr.michellechung), an Instagram online platform of courses and workshops about mental health and emotional well-being. Connect with Dr. Chung at drmichellechung.com or [email protected]

 
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 Therapist
Join our Clinician Community

Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Sam, Diana & Christie are back together chatting about how working on the podcast together has allowed them to work on their practice of moving away from perfectionism and learning to take a break without feeling the need to apologize. They also discuss APISA-centered movies including Fire Island, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Wong Kar-Wai filmography, sharing their thoughts on the renaissance of Asian representation in US American cinema.

 
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 Therapist
Join our Clinician Community

Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie chats with Nisha Desai and Alice Zhang about founding a startup focused on providing culturally responsive mental health care to communities of color. As two Asian-identified female co-founders, they talk about their own struggles with perfectionism, overcoming cultural differences in their communication, and navigating a white male dominated industry, as well as offer advice for other entrepreneurs.

Nisha Desai (she/her) is co-founder of Anise Health and is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health in communities of color. Prior to Anise, Nisha built digital mental health applications for Humana as a Product Manager and spent 5 years in healthcare financial services, investing in behavioral health and innovative care delivery models. Connect with Nisha at [email protected]

Alice Zhang (she/her) is co-founder of Anise Health, a certified health and wellness coach, and she is eager to address the inequality and lack of cultural relevance in mental health interventions through her professional career. Previously, Alice worked across various roles in healthcare including product development at Galileo, a digital primary care startup, investing at Unison Capital, a Japan-focused private equity fund, and management consulting at L.E.K. Consulting. Connect with Alice at [email protected]

From Anise: "Anise Health is officially live in California, offering our holistic suite of culturally-responsive digital mental health services (i.e. therapy, coaching, alternative medicine, self-service tools, etc.), for Asian-identifying adults and/or partners (18+). No matter how big or small your concerns are, we encourage you to sign up for Anise by taking 5 minutes to fill out this intake form - we’ll be in touch with next steps within 48 hours!

Also, sign up for our email distribution list on our website so that you can be the first to know about upcoming launches in NY and MA and stay updated on our progress."

 
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 Therapist
Join our Clinician Community

Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Christie chats with Nicole Tang and Kevin Chu about their work with Meals for Unity, a nonprofit uniting communities by working with local chefs, businesses, and volunteers to provide meals to the elderly AAPI community in NYC’s Chinatown. In response to the rise of anti-Asian violence, Nicole and Kevin discuss building relationships with the community, despite language and technological barriers, to overcome food insecurity and poverty levels and express love through food.

Kevin Chu (he/him) is a Southern Texas kid living in the Big Apple trying to break the Asian Model Minority stereotypes on a corporate and community level. Connect with Kevin at [email protected]

Nicole Tang (she/her) is a tech girly, music enthusiast, world traveler, dog lover, and a marathon runner. When she’s not doing any of the above, she’s raising awareness in the AAPI community as the Director of External Relations and Director of Ecommerce at Meals for Unity. Connect with Nicole at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

• A closer look at a Meals for Unity Meal Distribution Event
• Follow Meals For Unity on Instagram @mealsforunity and learn more about volunteering here

 
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 Therapist
Join our Clinician Community

Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh

This week, Diana chats with Franklin Shen and Brian Pang about the the power of Asian activism in the workplace. Franklin and Brian share their unique journeys from assimilation to reclaiming their Asian identities to uplifting the greater community. Together, they discuss corporate activism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), as well as the importance of challenging the model minority myth through storytelling, empathy and an abundance mindset. They offer lessons on working against perfectionism and sustainable activism.

Brian Pang serves on the leadership teams of the Asian Leaders Alliance, Stand with Asian Americans, and Ascend, is dedicated to advocating for underrepresented workplace talent, for-justice initiatives, and advancing marginalized communities. Connect with Brian on Instagram @bpanger33

Franklin Shen serves on the leadership team of the Asian Leaders Alliance and the NYC chapter for Stand with Asian Americans. Professionally he is a VP at Tembo Health, a startup focused on helping seniors. Before that, he was at Flatiron Health where he served in the company's inaugural Inclusion Working Group and helped found and lead their Asian employee resource group. Connect with Franklin on Instagram @shensayshen

Mentioned in this episode:

• Media: 
  • Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
  • The Wake Up by Michelle MiJung Kim
  • Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
  • Brown Girl Therapy Podcast
  • Dear Asian Americans Podcast
  • Asian Americans Film Series (PBS)
• Organizations: 
  • Asian Mental Health Project
  • The Cosmos
  • Asian Mental Health Collective
  • Asian American Psychological Association
  • Change Your Algorithm
  • Hate is a Virus
  • Soar Over Hate
  • Asians are Strong
  • Right to Be
  • Ascend
  • National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)
  • Stand with Asian Americans
  • Asian Leaders Alliance
  • The Asian American Education Project
  • Make Us Visible

 
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 Therapist
Join our Clinician Community

Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
[email protected]
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh