Asian American Therapist Dallas: Introduction

Hello and welcome! If you’re looking for an Asian American therapist or psychologist in the Dallas area, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been revamping this website to be more user-friendly and accessible for people looking for an Asian American therapist like me. I’ve been meaning to write about affirmations for Asian American women on this blog for quite some time so it’s nice to finally send this out into the world. These affirmations were inspired by several sessions I’ve had with Asian American women in therapy. I hope they bring a moment of clarity to your day.

Affirmations as a Tool for Mental Health

I never learned about affirmations in my training to become a psychologist. Interestingly, I first became aware of affirmations when a client very early in my career shared her list of affirmations. When I asked her what repeating affirmations did for her, she said they were a way for her to practice positive self-talk. I found this feedback to be valuable and since then, depending on the needs and concerns of the client I’m working with, I’ve had this as a tool in my backpocket to offer as home practice.

Although affirmations alone do not resolve problems in life or take away mental health challenges we may be experiencing, they do have important benefits, especially when used on a consistent basis. Here are some ways they can benefit you.

1. Stress Reduction: Stress is a common contributor to mental health challenges and we often don’t have control over when stress levels get high. Affirmations can help reduce stress by promoting relaxation and a sense of control. Repeating calming and reassuring statements to oneself can soothe the nervous system. In a calm state, we can make better decisions to resolve the events and circumstances causing our stress.

2. Shifting Negative Thought Patterns: Negative thought patterns (aka cognitive distortions), such as catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking, can exacerbate mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Affirmations encourage individuals to recognize and challenge these negative thought patterns, replacing them with more constructive and positive thinking.

3. Increased Self-Compassion: Affirmations that emphasize self-compassion and self-care encourage individuals to treat themselves with kindness and understanding. This can be particularly helpful for those struggling with conditions like depression and anxiety, as self-compassion fosters self-acceptance and reduces self-criticism.

Affirmations are useful if they are statements you can believe about yourself. For instance, if you struggle with self-esteem and self-regard and it feels disingenuous to say, “I love myself,” you might try the affirmation, “I practice loving myself” instead. The main point is that they should speak to who you are and what you need to feel calm, soothed, and validated.

Throughout my career, I’ve done psychotherapy with Asian American women who have struggled with identity, assertiveness, emotion regulation, and family dynamics, among other challenges. Each person brings their unique challenges and strengths to the therapy space but I think there are some common experiences. Here are some affirmations I’ve come up with that I think are particularly relevant to Asian American women, inspired by previous clients.

Try These Affirmations

1. I open my heart to this day.

2. Today is a new day to begin again.

3. I let go of traditions that hurt me and hold onto traditions that bring me joy.

4. I am proud of who I am.

5. I am just as important as my loved ones.

6. I am in charge of my life.

7. I let go of unhelpful expectations.

8. I am always learning and growing.

9. I am in the right place doing the right thing at the right time.

10. I am worthy.

Asian American Therapist Dallas: Need a Culturally Competent Therapist?

I specialize in Asian American mental health. If you’re looking to start therapy with a licensed professional, I provide free consultations for potential new clients so that we can have an initial conversation and decide whether or not we’re a good fit to move forward. There are other mental health resources for AAPI folks on this page. I’m licensed in California and Texas.