The Quick Clinician's Guide to Asian-Americans
Asians are a diverse lot. Depending on your definition of Asian, there can more than forty different Asian ethnic groups although the U.S. Census Bureau only lists 12 distinct groups. Some include Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong, Lao, Thai, Japanese, Cambodian, Indonesian, and Taiwanese just to name a few. Each ethnic group within the U.S. has its own unique history, traditions, and immigration story to consider when trying to decipher the challenges and their place in America.
As a clinician you may feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or just confused as to where to start and how to help Asian-American clients without offending them.
This substantive yet succinct guide will get you grounded and feeling confident with this population. Topics covered include how to interpret a family's generational history, an understanding of Asian Shame, and the common cultural struggles that arise within Asian-American clients.
Sam Louie, MA, LMHC is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in Asian-American issues. He is an Emmy Award-Winning former journalist who has written extensively on this topic. His books include, "Asian Shame and Addiction: Suffering in Silence" and "Slanted Eyes: The Asian-American Poetic Experience". He also writes a blog for Psychology Today, "Minority Report: Candid Conversations on Race, Culture, and Therapy".