Maia Huang, MFT, REAT

Muticultural & Interracial Issues

If you are a person of color, mixed race, or an immigrant from another country, you may have had trouble fitting in to the dominant culture. Depending on where you grew up, you may have felt isolated or misunderstood, leading to shame, confusion, anger, or sadness. Although there has been great progress with the civil rights movement in the 1960's, racism and more subtle forms of prejudice can still exist. Media images rarely reflect the rich diversity of this country, and there are consequently few role models available. Lack of knowledge or respect for your language, ways of communicating and interacting, core values, religious beliefs, or personal appearance can lead to deep scars in your self-concept. Coming to terms with and feeling pride in your cultural identity may have been challenging. If you are interracial, it often becomes difficult to find acceptance from your community, because you look and act differently than others depending on which culture you may have adopted. Immigrants and refugees have to contend with adjusting to a new culture, perhaps escaping persecution from their country of origin, and creating a new life for their family here in the U.S.

If you are struggling with your cultural identity or having trouble finding acceptance in your community, you can get support. My approach offers a safe, compassionate presence, sensitive to the complicated issues involved in the process of cultural healing. I can assist you to clarify your identity, find your inner strengths, reconnect to your ethnic community, and develop practical solutions to your problems. With a willingness to explore the depths of pain and injustices caused by prejudice, I offer concrete, yet gentle tools to help support your journey towards self-empowerment. It takes time to overcome these challenges. All you need is to take the first step.

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