"Don't try to fix it. I just need you to listen." Every man has heard these words. And they are the law of the land. No matter what.
Read moreCommon Signs of a Stress Response
I'm attending a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) group training, and found some worksheets very beneficial. The breakdown of symptoms or reactions to acute stress can help individuals understand how differently people can respond to a traumatic event. I just wanted to share the PDF here:
Read moreObservations of a Model Minority, 2013
I've spent my life socialized as an Asian-American female, with all its high-expectation stereotypes and perks of being viewed as being agreeable and submissive in group settings. While slowly unraveling parts of these imposed traits and keeping qualities that are truly my own, I have discovered a distinctly diametrical reality for those who are not the model minority. I will preface this post with a disclaimer: I know these experiences will not be the standard for all of an ethnic group, but I feel compelled to compare the different realities I've observed when being a model minority, and when being in association with black Americans.
Read moreCreative People & Graduation!
L to R: Rachel Liptak, Audrey Milburn, Nancy Flores, Ashley Hahn, Michelle Dastmalchi, Kaylin Zabienski, Me
I enjoy creative people. Creativity can manifest itself in many forms--I think the more creative a person is, the more malleable his or her identity seems to become. It's like possibilities become greater with the openness to divergent thinking. And divergent thinking is pretty neat to me. I just graduated from my Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology program, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy today, and one concept that has resonated with me for some time is about promoting thinking as opposed to doing.
Read moreGroup Loyalty in a Culture that Celebrates Individuality
My growing up in collectivist cultures in Southern California has offered some insight into the identity formation for many Asian American females. The individualist, capitalist culture of this country may cause conflict for many collectivist people as they transition into adulthood. It's a concept many professionals may confuse as unhealthy boundaries or enmeshment within one's family system, but when working with each person in therapy, a new culture and definition of normal must be explored.
Read moreA Personal Reminder:
I was on FaceBook and saw a post about a gorgeous singer who admitted to believing she was ugly and undesirable as a young adult. She looked back at past images and realized how attractive she's always been, and discovered how detrimental negative thoughts can be. These damaging thoughts repeated in her mind for decades, yet outsiders would never have thought that she could feel so dark and lonely on the inside.
Read moreMental Illness: What is it to you?
If someone asked you what mental illness was to you, what would you say? How would you answer such a question? To be asked has so many implications. Does the person think you have a mental illness? Do you even feel comfortable or informed enough to answer correctly? If someone asked me right now, I would hope the following words could help give mental illnes, mental wellness, some substance or an image to understand.
Read morethe Hippo Went Across the Campus to the Library
The hippocampus is a structure in the brain that is shaped like a seahorse. Learning and memory formation occurs in the hippocampus (memories are stored everywhere, but the hippocampus plays a major role in memory formation)--past studies with mice have indicated how stress can inhibit this process.
Read more8 Benefits of School Counseling
I'm starting my second year with Outreach Concern, a non-profit agency that offers school-based counseling services for several districts in Los Angeles and Orange County. Since 1994 over 500,000 students and their families have been supported with educational or social skills training, emotional support, or community outreach through direct services.
Read moreVeterans & PTSD
I greatly admire and appreciate the work our men and women in uniform have done for this nation. These selfless individuals have devoted a lifetime to protect and serve. Some family and many friends have served, and continue to serve in the armed forces. I have a special interest in promoting quality mental wellness access and healing to returning veterans.
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