Introduction: Why an Asian American Therapist in Los Angeles is Talking About Prince Harry

Oh dear, is my first blog post really going to be about Prince Harry? I might as well confess here that I do have a copy of his memoir Spare in my reading queue (nice British word). I’m only a few pages into his book so I don’t know what I think about it yet. The spectacle of his and Meghan Markle’s conflict with the royal family is hard to avoid in the news. But I guess I’m surprised by my own fascination with it all. I’m a bit embarrassed that I’m as interested as I am. I don’t normally consider myself a fan of the British monarchy or a “royalist.” How can I possibly relate to people whose rarefied lives are centered around wealth, power, European heritage…imperialism? Just the other day I bought a Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen” t-shirt from the clearance rack at Stradivarius. (You may be amused to know that it has little sparkly rhinestones in the crown.) Oh, but there’s Princess Diana, of course. I’m a fan. She was a sartorial icon. I remember her messages of compassion and humanism moved me as a little girl. As a therapist now in her 40s, these messages still resonate with me and seem to somehow speak to the incredibly difficult internal and external pressures we face today. But back to her son, Prince Harry.

Prince Harry's recent openness about his experiences with therapy, particularly Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), has shone a spotlight on the importance of mental health care. I wish we didn’t need celebrities to advocate for mental health but when it happens, I’m grateful and I often hear from my clients that they feel their experiences are validated and normalized.

While Prince Harry’s story has resonated with many, it's particularly relevant for Asian Americans in Los Angeles, a group often faced with unique cultural and identity-related challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore EMDR and how it can offer a promising path to healing for Asian Americans with an Asian American therapist in Los Angeles.

Why EMDR for Asian Americans in Los Angeles?

1. Cultural Stigma: In many Asian cultures, there is a stigma around discussing mental health issues. In Asian communities, being emotional or having mental health issues may be considered a weakness or a source of embarrassment. This stigma can deter individuals from seeking help, even when they are struggling, because they may associate needing help with being weak or having failed in some way.

2. Identity and Pressure: Many Asian Americans in Los Angeles face the pressure of balancing multiple cultural identities, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and identity-related trauma. EMDR can help individuals process these complex experiences and become less reactive to negative memories. Ultimately, this process can help a person develop a more stable sense of self.

3. Healing from Racial Trauma: Experiences of racial discrimination and microaggressions can take a toll on mental health. Even in a diverse city like Los Angeles, many Asian Americans have experienced racism at school, in the workplace, in dating and relationships, in the neighborhood, and in many other contexts. EMDR can assist individuals in addressing and healing from racial trauma, allowing for better self-esteem and resilience.

Prince Harry's Journey with EMDR

Prince Harry found EMDR therapy after trying a few different approaches and therapists to get help for his severe anxiety. Following the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, and the trauma associated with his military service in Afghanistan, he became acutely anxious in situations in which he did not have control and in contexts that provided familiar triggers, such as cameras flashing from paparazzi. His anxiety started in adolescence and by the time he was a young adult in his 20s, the anxiety had snowballed (as if often does) and he was having panic attacks on a regular basis.

The video below is a teaser for the episode of Oprah’s TV show where he talks about all of this in more detail. If you haven’t seen the episode already, I highly recommend it, particularly if you’re interested in learning more about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. I was excited by his discussion about receiving PTSD and anxiety treatment because he’s a global public figure talking about the thing I do for a living. Also, I appreciated that he talked about his experience of actively maintaining recovery today through therapy and work-life balance and coping tools. It’s important to understand that well-being is not linear and that we owe it to ourselves to maintain the gains we get from hard work in therapy.

Conclusion: Asian American Therapist in Los Angeles

Prince Harry's journey with EMDR therapy is a reminder that therapy can be a valuable tool for healing from one’s unique experiences and challenges. For Asian Americans in Los Angeles facing the complexities of identity, cultural expectations, and racial challenges, EMDR can offer a path to healing and resilience. If you're an Asian American in Los Angeles considering EMDR therapy or have questions about how it can help you, feel free to reach out to me. Together, we can navigate the path to healing and mental well-being.