Journey to Self-Discovery: Navigating Identity & Mental Health as a Korean American Immigrant (241)

Therapist Uncensored Podcast

“Being Asian American means living in two worlds, and finding your place in both.” — Unknown

Dr. Ann Kelley and Hyeseung Song, a first-generation Korean American discuss Hyeseung’s experiences growing up as an Asian minority in America, touching on topics like racial stereotypes, assimilation, and the model minority myth. Hyeseung shares her journey of finding her voice and identity, highlighting the mental health challenges of navigating different cultures and the path to self-acceptance.

“…realizing that I was kind of a third distinct thing, maybe not completely Korean, maybe not completely American, but Korean American – something very special that I was learning and etching out for myself.” – Hyeseung Song

Time Stamps for Journey to Self-Discovery: Navigating Identity and Mental Health as a Korean American Immigrant

5:17 – Growing up as Korean American

9:23 – The impact of racial stereotypes and assimilation

23:23 – Code-Switching and Balancing Cultural Expectations

26:24 – The Toll of Hypervigilance on Mental Health

29:14 – Finding Voice and Identity as a Korean American

36:58 – The Importance of Culturally Competent Mental Health Care

41:17 – Asian American Collaboration and Advocacy

46:13 – Embracing Identity and Fighting Racial Stereotypes: The Role of Younger Generations

56:22 – Finding Support and Being Seen

59:27 – The Importance of a Common Language in Therapy

01:06:57 – Curiosity and Connection in Conversations about Race and Identity

About our Guest – Hyeseung Song

Photo by Jack Sorokin

Hyeseung Song is a first-generation Korean American painter and the author of Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl (Simon & Schuster). She lives in Brooklyn and upstate New York. Learn more about her at hyeseungsong.com.

Resources for today’s episode –

Click here to visit Hyeseung’s website

“They Called Us Exceptional” – Prachi Gupta’s Memoir

“The Body Keeps the Score”

Dr. Kenneth V. Hardy – Author, Professor & Director of the Eikenberg Institute

Suicide statistic: #1 cause of death among young AAPI adults 15-24 is suicide

Check out Hyeseung Song’s book – Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl

Instagram @hyeseungs

Twitter @hyeseungs
Tiktok @noturdocile

Other Relevant Therapist Uncensored Episodes

https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/healing-intergenerational-ancestral-trauma-with-linda-thai/

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