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 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Asian therapist Samuel Kim, LMFT #141541 at Oak and Stone Therapy in Los Angeles, California writes about how to navigate situations when good intentions lead to a hurtful impact.

Nancy Denq, LMFT 146636 explores common reasons why couples therapy may not be working for you, introduces discernment counseling for couples who are not sure they want to move forward in the relationship, and offers possible ways to move forward.

Maybe no one ever taught you how to care for your emotions. Maybe your feelings were dismissed, minimized, or treated like a burden. Over time, you learned to avoid them—but that avoidance doesn’t make the pain go away. In this post, we explore how emotional neglect shapes our inner world, why numbing leads to disconnection, and how therapy offers a path back to feeling, healing, and meaningful connection.

Grief doesn’t need to be justified.
During the pandemic, many quietly minimized their pain, believing others had it worse. But comparison only silences healing. Whether you lost someone, a milestone, or a sense of normalcy, your grief matters. This post explores how to reclaim space for your emotions — without shame or comparison.

In uncertain times, small choices can help us feel grounded. This post shares how an Asian American therapist is staying empowered during COVID-19, and invites you to reflect on what care looks like for you.

Our first experiences of love begin at home.
Learn how your early family dynamics shape adult relationships — and how Asian American therapists at Oak and Stone Therapy can help you heal old patterns.

Have you ever been told you're "too much"? Too emotional, too sensitive, too intense? For many Asian Americans and children of immigrants, emotional expression can feel like a liability instead of a strength. But your "too muchness" isn't a flaw — it's an invitation to explore your needs, relational patterns, and voice with more compassion and clarity.

Many Asian Americans and children of immigrants in Los Angeles struggle with ghosting — not because we’re heartless, but because we were raised to avoid conflict, suppress emotions, and prioritize harmony. But ghosting can deepen insecurity, delay healing, and damage trust. In this blog, we explore why ghosting is so common in our communities, how cultural upbringing influences it, and what healthier, more honest alternatives look like for expats, creatives, and first-gen professionals navigating dating and relationships.