The Journey Blog
Writings to meet you where you are
How Brainspotting Therapy Supports Creatives, ARtists, Actors, and Musicians in Los Angeles
Brainspotting Therapy helps Los Angeles creatives, actors, musicians, artists, and performers release anxiety, trauma, entertainment industry stress, and performance blocks that talking alone can’t reach. At Oak & Stone Therapy in Highland Park, Koreatown, and Pasadena, our Brainspotting therapists guide you to reconnect with your body’s natural capacity to heal so you can perform, create, and live with more freedom, focus, and flow.
Therapy for Interracial Couples: Experience Harmony that Doesn’t Overlook Your Differences
Navigating relationships is hard, especially as interracial, intercultural, or Asian American couples. How are you supposed to figure out how to live life together when you come from such different backgrounds? In this blog, Asian American therapist Samuel Kim draws from his own experience in an interracial relationship to shed light on some of the complexities interracial couples face, and how therapy can help couples navigate these differences to experience more unity. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we support individuals and couples navigating cross-cultural stress, relational conflict, and communication challenges in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Across California, and for expats living abroad in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Managing Career Burnout and How to Harness Your Strengths
Nancy Denq, LMFT is a Taiwanese Bilingual Mandarin-speaking licensed marriage and family therapist #146636 based in Pasadena, California. She explores the common struggle of career burnout as an Asian American and how we can harness our strengths to make choices intentionally to prevent burnout.
Staying Connected: How to Maintain Friendships Through Life’s Transitions
Friendships often change during major life transitions like marriage, parenthood, relocation, or career shifts. For Asian Americans, expats, and high-achieving professionals, these changes can bring unique challenges. Learn practical, therapist-backed strategies to maintain closeness, adjust expectations, and keep meaningful connections strong through every season of life.
Third Culture Kids: Your Therapy Home As An Asian and asian american
You’ve lived across countries and cultures and don’t know where or how to belong. For third culture kids, expats living in Asia, and Asian Americans, it can feel difficult to connect to a sense of identity, belonging, and stability. Being adaptable doesn’t always lead to feeling seen. In this blog, Asian and third culture therapist Samuel Kim identifies some of the often-unseen struggles of TCKs and how therapy can help create a sense of belonging. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we support individuals and couples navigating cross-cultural stress, identity challenges, and relational disconnection.
Why You Need Self-Regulation in Relationships
You used the communication tools—stayed calm, listened well—but your partner still reacted the same. For Asian Americans, Korean Americans, third culture kids, and expats living in Asia, emotional regulation often carries extra weight. Cultural dynamics, unspoken expectations, and identity struggles can all show up in relationships. In this blog, Asian therapist Samuel Kim shares how learning to self-regulate can create emotional safety, even when conflict arises. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we support individuals and couples navigating cross-cultural stress, identity challenges, and relational disconnection.
Talking About Mental Health in Asian Families: Why It’s So Hard
Talking about mental health with your Asian family can feel confusing and painful, especially when cultural stigma and generational silence get in the way. Whether you're Taiwanese, Chinese, or part of the Asian American diaspora, therapy can help you make sense of your experience and find support that honors both your emotional needs and your cultural background. Based in California and Taipei, we offer culturally sensitive therapy in English and Mandarin
When You Are Confused For the Other Asian Person: You Deserve To Be Known
Growing up as an Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area, it can be a common experience to be confused with another Asian person. Oak and Stone Therapy explores these racial experiences and emphasizes the importance of being fully seen and known.
Finding Your Way with Family Wealth
Growing up with wealth in an Asian American family in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area can bring unique pressures and complexities. Oak and Stone Therapy explores these dynamics and offers support for a healthy relationship with inherited wealth.
Therapy for Creatives in the Entertainment Industry: What No One Talks About
Being an Asian American creative in today's world isn't just about talent or passion — it's a journey often marked by hidden emotional struggles. From battling impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and creative blocks, to coping with career uncertainty, rejection, and identity doubts, many creatives face intense inner challenges that aren't always visible from the outside. Whether you're an actor, writer, artist, musician, or entrepreneur, navigating the pressures of inspiration, performance, and self-worth can take a toll on your mental health. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we understand the unique emotional experiences of creatives — especially Asian American, BIPOC, and first-generation individuals — and offer therapy designed to help you reclaim your confidence, heal from burnout, and rediscover your creative voice.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries for Asian Americans who Struggle
The conversation around boundaries is everywhere, but often misses a crucial point: true boundary setting isn't about controlling others, it's about defining and enacting your own responses. Many online discussions frame boundaries as demands on others ("You can't do that!"), but what happens when those demands aren't met? At Oak and Stone Therapy, we understand that helpful boundaries empower you to create your own peace and safety, regardless of external reactions. Setting and reinforcing these limits, especially for Asian Americans, is about making conscious choices about how you'll respond to different behaviors, ultimately fostering healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Read on to explore how focusing on internal agency can lead to profound relational shifts.
How Trauma Affects the Mind and Body — And Why Experiential Therapy Can Help
Trauma can leave invisible wounds, impacting your mind, body, and spirit in profound ways. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we understand the unique experiences and cultural nuances that can shape the impact of trauma on Asian Americans in California, whether you're in the heart of Los Angeles, the vibrant community of Highland Park, the historic streets of Pasadena, or the diverse landscape of the Bay Area. If you're seeking a path to healing from trauma that honors your background and lived experiences, our therapists offer compassionate and effective approaches like Brainspotting, EMDR, and Restoration Therapy. Discover how our culturally sensitive care can help you reclaim your well-being and find lasting healing.
You Were Never Meant to Mother Alone: Therapy for Moms Matter
Struggling with identity loss, burnout, or postpartum overwhelm? Therapy with an Asian American therapist in Los Angeles can help you feel seen, supported, and whole again.
When One of You Has ADHD: What Couples Therapy Reveals
Loving someone with ADHD brings unique joys and challenges. If you're in a neurodivergent relationship in Los Angeles, Pasadena, the Bay Area, or Seattle, the Asian American therapists at Oak and Stone offers practical tools for better communication, understanding, and a stronger connection. Learn how we can help you navigate ADHD together.
Is Perfectionism Hiding Your ADHD?
As an Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area, does your drive for perfection feel exhausting? It might be masking underlying ADHD. Oak and Stone Therapy offers culturally sensitive support to understand and navigate this, helping you break free from the pressure and find genuine well-being.
Being an Empath From an Asian American Family: How to Stay Grounded Without Losing Yourself
Are you an empathic Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, the Bay Area, or Seattle feeling overwhelmed by others' emotions? Oak and Stone Therapy explores the unique experiences of empaths in the Asian American community and offers self-care tips to protect your well-being.
Therapy for Asian American Executives, Founders & Entrepreneurs: Why It Matters
Are you an Asian American executive, founder, or entrepreneur in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area Silicon Valley facing unique pressures? Oak and Stone Therapy offers support to manage stress, navigate cultural expectations, and enhance your leadership journey. Discover how therapy can help you thrive.
Codependency in Asian American Families: Understanding & Healing
Navigating codependent patterns within Asian American families in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area? Oak and Stone Therapy explores how cultural values can influence these dynamics and offers steps towards healthier, more independent relationships.
Why LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy Matters for Asian AmericanS
Navigating identity as an LGBTQIA+ Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area? Cultural expectations can clash with self-discovery. Oak and Stone Therapy offers affirming and culturally sensitive support to help you embrace your authentic self.
High-Functioning ADHD as Asian American: Understanding and Finding support
Are you a high-achieving Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area who suspects you have ADHD? Oak and Stone Therapy explores the unique challenges and offers culturally sensitive support to help you thrive as a neurodivergent individual.