We have been sold the myth that the United States is a giant melting pot in which our cultural identities will blend together as a way to assimilate into society. For 1st and 2nd generation immigrants with marginalized identities, you can often feel like an unwelcome visitor in a society that does not always recognize and embrace your multilayered identity. You may find yourself having different responsibilities even as a child, such as providing translation or helping your parents navigate different systems. You may also experience a conflict between maintaining your own families’ cultural values and traditions and finding ways to adapt to another culture that is presented as mainstream and dominant. This can possibly lead to confusion around your values, beliefs, what culture you belong to, and how you view yourself.

With psychotherapy, we can explore the ways in which you identify with each culture that you belong to as well as the cultural values that do not align with you. We can process internal conflicts, negotiate boundary-setting, and increase self-acceptance with the goal of building a life that integrates all the unique aspects of who you are and your cultural background.