The Journey Blog
Writings to meet you where you are
4 Misconceptions Intuitive People Have About Therapy
Do you think in feelings, images, or subtle “vibes” rather than clear, linear thoughts? Many intuitive people worry that therapy won’t work for them because they can’t always explain why they feel what they feel. This post explores four common misconceptions intuitive processors often have about therapy—such as believing their emotions are too fluid, symbolic, or illogical to matter—and gently reframes why these qualities are actually strengths in the therapeutic process.
If you process the world through intuition, metaphor, and emotional attunement, therapy can be a place where that way of knowing is not only accepted, but deeply valued. Learn how intuitive thinking shows up in therapy and why working with a therapist from Oak and Stone Therapy in Los Angeles and Pasadena who understands intuitive processing can help you feel more seen, understood, and connected to yourself.
Why the Same Fight Keeps Coming Up: A Pasadena and Los Angeles Couples TherapIst’s Perspective
Many couples keep having the same fight and start to feel stuck. This post explores why ongoing conflict is normal — and how Gottman-informed couples therapy in Pasadena and Los Angeles helps partners stay connected through difference.
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.
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.
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.