Do You Feel Lost As You Navigate Your Teenage Or Young Adult Years?
Are you a young adult or international college student who is part of the AAPI community and looking for a bilingual and culturally informed approach to therapy? Do you feel lonely, homesick, or overly anxious about maintaining your visa status or speaking a second language?
Perhaps you are the parent of a first-generation teenager or preteen who has trouble with academics, fitting in at school, or forming relationships with peers. Or maybe you feel like there is a gulf opening between you and your child because of cultural or language barriers.
Adolescents, college students, and young adults face a range of complicated issues. Persistent anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, trauma, body image issues, and eating disorders are but a few of the obstacles that young people often run into. However, the AAPI community often faces unique challenges.
For instance, international students frequently have difficulty with dating, bridging communication gaps, and managing the expectations of families overseas. Asian American and Pacific Islander teens who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can feel conflicted or ashamed about coming out to parents. And preteens, just like adults, can experience adversity and feelings of “otherness” that drive issues of low self-worth and poor self-image.
If this mirrors parts of your life—or that of your child—our bilingual and culturally informed teen therapists can help. Whether you want to manage symptoms or feel more competent, secure, and accepted for who you are, Mind Connections NYC is here for you.
Asian Americans Are Disproportionately Affected By Mental Health Issues
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 50 percent of all mental health conditions develop by age 14, with most people going undiagnosed or untreated. As a result, many young people carry their emotional burdens into adulthood, impairing both their physical and mental health.
In some cases, this can be particularly significant for the AAPI community. For instance, research shows that Asian American adolescents struggle with higher levels of anxiety and reach the threshold for a clinical diagnosis more frequently than other racial/ethnic groups. And largely due to depression and trauma, intentional self-harm is the primary cause of death for Asian Americans between the ages of 15 and 24.
Why are these issues so common in the AAPI population?
In addition to genetic factors, teenagers face a multitude of external challenges that can contribute to mental health concerns. Peer pressure, social media influence, and the desire for social acceptance can fuel issues of low self-worth.
Bullying, violence, racial bias, and other forms of childhood trauma generate an all-encompassing atmosphere of fear and anxiety. And difficulties exploring sexuality and racial identity, asserting autonomy, and communicating with parents often induce stress and internal conflict.
Unfortunately, for many AAPI families, it’s uncommon to talk openly about anything emotional, particularly negative or unwanted emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, and disappointment. As a result, many Asian American teens, college students, and young adults end up avoiding therapy and suffering in silence for years.
However, Mind Connections NYC understands where you are coming from, and we speak your language—figurative and literally. There is no shame or judgment here, only the opportunity to heal, grow, and discover what you need to be happy.
Therapy For Teens And Young Adults Provides A Place Of Emotional Sanctuary And Safety
Most therapists can’t relate to the challenges that many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders face. That’s why a culturally competent approach to counseling for AAPI teens can be so beneficial. Therapy is especially effective when counselors implement bi-cultural understanding, bilingual proficiency, and treatment options that are adapted and tailored to Asian American parents and teens.
Therapy teaches teens how to think differently and respond consciously to adversity while providing new coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills for overcoming a range of issues.
What you can expect from therapy for teens
If you are coming into therapy as a young adult or international college student, we’ll start with a thorough evaluation. That could include questions about your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. We’ll also talk about any symptoms you are dealing with, how you’ve been coping, and perhaps what triggers your distress.
For adolescents, the process is similar—a therapist will initially meet with your teen individually for an assessment. And if they are willing, we can integrate parents or families into sessions.
Our hope is to identify problematic issues, symptoms, and triggers so we can collaborate on a treatment plan specific to you (or your child).
In subsequent sessions, we’ll examine your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. We can look at your symptoms, interpret what your body is trying to tell you, and identify the origins of your suffering. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop and practice new coping skills, such as mindfulness, positive self-talk, calm breathing, and other grounding exercises for managing stress or anxiety.
Moreover, we can show you how to change faulty patterns of thinking that can lead to low self-esteem, depression, and a host of other issues. We’ll help you identify and build upon your inner strengths, such as self-confidence, self-compassion, and self-care for mind and body.
Additionally, you’ll learn how to seek social support from parents, teachers, and friends. And we’ll make regular checkups on your progress throughout the process, adjusting our treatment strategy as needed.
Some of the tools we use and what you can expect from therapy for teens
At Mind Connections NYC, our therapists offer several therapy options for teenagers—particularly AAPI teens—to create a comprehensive and culturally competent healing plan. For instance, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be effective in helping you reframe negative thoughts and self-perceptions into positive perspectives. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches you how to regulate emotions, cope with stress, and strengthen relationships so you can be more present at the moment. And Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages healing by acknowledging feelings, accepting circumstances, and committing to changes in behavior.
We also incorporate many mindfulness-based techniques and strategies to help clients remain calm and comfortable during sessions. Together, these tools can help preteens, teens, and young adults overcome a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and borderline personality disorder, to name a few.
So whatever you are going through, our bilingual and culturally competent teen counselors can help you heal, grow, and realize your potential for happiness and peace. For over 15 years, Mind Connections NYC has been helping individuals—especially Asian Americans—navigate adversity, cultural differences, and mental health concerns. And we want to do the same for you.
Perhaps you are considering counseling for teens, but you still have some concerns…
If I agree to therapy, will you tell my parents what I share with you?
We follow the strictest standards of confidentiality. Even if you are a minor whose parents consented to therapy for teens, we still would not be able to share anything about sessions with your parents unless it poses a serious risk to your life. If your parents ask us for any information, we would need your permission before discussing anything. If you permit us to share information, we’ll only discuss matters you have already approved.
How long does it take for therapy to work?
It all depends on your situation, your goals, and your level of commitment. Some challenges—such as teen anxiety, depression, or trauma—may take a little longer to address than situational issues like a difficult life transition. However, most of our teen clients see significant change after a few months of counseling. Moreover, as goal-oriented therapists, we focus on providing you with concrete, real-world skills to help you manage adversity on your own until you no longer need our support.
What if my child or teen is reluctant to speak with a counselor?
At Mind Connections NYC, our therapists have extensive experience working with teens, particularly AAPI teenagers. Our counselors are patient and specially trained to build trust when addressing young people’s reluctance. Ultimately, however, your teen is responsible for their own decision as we cannot attempt to persuade anyone to engage in therapy. That said, we have the tools, methods, and unique expertise to reach teens on their own level and customize a treatment plan that speaks to them.
Let Us Help You Find Your Place In This New World
You don’t have to feel like a stranger in a strange land any longer. If you live in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx—or anywhere in the state of New York—please call (347) 542-8226 or use our contact page for your free, 15-minute consultation.
To help end cutting, self-abuse, self-harm. 800-DONTCUT or 800-366-8288
Adolescents Resources
StopBullying.Gov: resources for teens to prevent bullying and for those being bullied
Teens Against Bullying: for middle and high school students to find ways to address bullying, take action, be heard, and own an important social cause.
National Alliance on Mental Health: Find resources for youth, including information on managing your mental health in college and making friends.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through a service locator
