Beyond the Couch

This week, Christie chats with Robin Mele, LCAT, about dance/movement therapy and the nonverbal language of being in our bodies. As a queer, biracial therapist, Robin discusses how they intentionally work to be a safe enough person for teens within a hospital setting. Robin offers insights on how they navigate systems of power, protect themselves through the difficult work, and cultivate curiosity and humility both professionally and personally.

Robin (they/them/theirs) is a queer, biracial, dance/movement therapist and licensed creative arts therapist. They are curious and passionate about the integration of abolition and transformative justice with their work on an inpatient psychiatric unit with adolescents at a city hospital. Connect with Robin on Instagram @robinks or via email at [email protected].

• APISA Spotlight: NYCAAMH

 
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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@bridgesmentalhealth
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This week, Christie chats with Nita Batta, LMSW, and Tiffany Momoko Kindred, LMSW, about their intersecting experiences being Asian in the U.S. They discuss the contrast between Tiffany’s experience of culture shock moving from Japan to the U.S. and Nita's experience growing up in suburban Pennsylvania with parents who emigrated from India. Despite their unique identity stories, they all connect on themes of otherness, belonging, and finding peace within our authentic choices. Additionally, Tiffany and Nita discuss working with their clients to unpack internal conflicts around achievement, sacrifice, and self-worth.

Learn more about Nita and Tiffany at their group practice website, A Good Place.

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]

 
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, Diana & Christie discuss the dance of cultivating friendships in adulthood, experiencing shame and loneliness, and the vulnerability of building connection.

 
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 Yu-Kang Chen, PhD, about his experience being one of the few Asian male therapists from graduate school to his work now. They discuss gender imbalances in the field, emotional labor and vulnerability, and getting his parents’ support on choosing this career.

Yu-Kang Chen is a licensed psychologist with a private practice focusing on providing individual and couple therapy for Asians/Asian Americans in both English and Mandarin languages. He is also the Clinical Psychologist/Training Director at Hamilton Madison House.

• Connect with Yu-Kang on Psychology Today or via email at [email protected]
• APISA Spotlight: New York’s Asian American Federation (AAF) 
  • AAF in partnership with the Center for Anti-Violence education is continuing to provide Free Empowerment Self Defense Workshops to all New York City residents

 
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 Raina Wadhawan, LMHC, about her journey as a South Asian therapist, mental health and privilege at home in India versus here in the U.S., as well as her passion for working with South Asian woman on navigating intergenerational trauma, perfectionism, and authenticity.

Raina Wadhawan, LMHC, is a licensed psychotherapist at a private practice in New York City offering psychotherapy for individuals. Raina specializes in women’s issues, intersection of gender, racial and cultural identities, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma and life transitions. Connect with Raina at www.therapywithraina.com

 
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 discuss different ways to engage in therapy aside from traditional talk therapy. They discuss the benefits of getting out of our intellectual, adult brains and into non-verbal, physical, and creative ways to explore trauma, our inner child and healing. Plus, Diana gives an update about working abroad and the best food she’s had in Mexico so far.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic Experiencing (SE)
• Sandtray Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Dance and Movement Therapy
• Pet and Equine Therapy
• Forest Bathing/Therapy
• Reiki
• Acupuncture
• EFT Tapping
• Yoga
• Meditation

 
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 Alena Kwong, LMSW, who is a psychotherapist and member of the Bridges Clinician Community. Alena discusses how the natural shift in seasons can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the winter blues, and offers guidance on practicing mindfulness, coping individually and with others, and the importance of going with the new rhythm rather than fighting against it.

Alena Kwong, LMSW, is a psychotherapist/licensed social worker with a background in holistic nutrition and wellness. She is also a certified yoga practitioner and Reiki Master. Her approach includes mindfulness and somatic based wellness tools for stress reduction and emotional regulation.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Alena’s SAD Virtual Support Group — This is an open group for NY residents currently meeting each Wednesday (12:30-1:30pm ET) and Thursday (6-7pm ET) through the end of March 2022
• Email Alena for more info at [email protected]
• Follow Alena on Instagram @inspiredliving.by.alena
• APISA Spotlight: New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health (NYCAAMH)

 
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, and Christie discuss the importance of healthy terminations in therapy, the many feelings that can come up on both the client's and therapist's end, and ultimately how difficult goodbyes can be for all of us.

 
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

For our first episode of 2022, we welcome our first guest on Beyond the Couch, Dr. Vivi Hua. As a clinical psychologist and a success coach for international students, Dr. Vivi discusses the difficult process of navigating a new cultural landscape, caring for mental health, and skill-building for Asian-identified international students to thrive in the US.

Dr. Vivi is a clinical psychologist and a success coach for international students. She is a clinical supervisor for psychology trainees at the Student Counseling Center of the CUNY Graduate Center and is the author of book chapter, The Power of Being Different: Navigating Grad School as International Students.

To learn more and connect with Dr. Vivi:

• Visit her website at www.DrViviCoaching.com
• Follow on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @DrViviCoaching
• Sign up for Dr. Vivi’s biweekly newsletter for international student success tips and resources
• Set up a 30-min free consultation call with Dr. Vivi to discuss how she can help you develop important skills in order to do well in the American college classroom and workplace

 
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

In the last episode of 2021, Christie, Diana and Sam reflect upon a year of growth, pushing their limits, and preferring rest over setting goals for the new year. 

Wishing everyone rest and warmth through the holidays. We'll be back with new episodes in January!

 
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