The Journey Blog
Writings to meet you where you are
The Fear of Celebrating Ourselves: When Success Feels Unsafe in Relationships
Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMFT 83772 explores the importance of holding space for the whole spectrum of emotions, especially the difficult and painful ones, as well as allowing the people in our community to hold space for them too.
When Envy Points to Shame: What Social Media Reveals About Us
Asian American therapist explores the feeling of envy and how it might reveal hidden wishes, dreams, and hopes that you might have for your life. She discusses how you might use envy as information to guide you in the direction you want to go.
Too Much or Just Misunderstood?
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.
Why Ghosting Isn’t the Easy Way Out—Especially for Asian Americans
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.
Why Conflict in Relationships Can Be a Catalyst for Deeper Connection
Conflict is inevitable in close relationships—but it doesn’t have to be destructive. In this post, Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMT 83772 explores how conflict can reveal unmet needs, deepen emotional intimacy, and become a turning point for growth. Learn how to approach relational conflict with greater awareness, accountability, and compassion.
How Trust is Built One Small Act at a Time: An Asian Therapist’s Reflections
Trust isn’t built in one leap—it grows slowly through small, consistent acts over time. In this post, Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMFT 83772 explores how to build trust in relationships with intention, how predictability creates emotional safety, and why trustworthy behavior matters more than perfection. Learn how therapy can help you strengthen emotional intimacy without losing yourself in the process.
The Gift of Presence in Relationships During This Holiday Season
During the holiday season, emotional presence is often more powerful than any material gift. In this post, Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMFT 83772 explores what it means to truly show up in relationships—not just physically, but with emotional honesty and vulnerability. Learn what gets in the way of presence and how to practice deeper connection through practical, therapist-approved strategies.
Why Shutting Down Negative Emotions Also Numbs the Good: An Asian Therapist’s Thoughts
Shutting down your negative emotions might seem like a way to stay in control—but it often leads to emotional numbness and disconnection from yourself and others. In this post, Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMFT 83772 explores why emotional avoidance can harm relationships and how therapy can help you safely reconnect with your full range of feelings to experience deeper connection and healing.
What Is Fairness in Relationships? Understanding Love, Justice, and Destructive Entitlement
What does fairness really mean in relationships? It’s not about keeping score—it’s about mutual love, responsibility, and emotional reciprocity. In this post, Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMFT 83772 explores how love languages, unspoken expectations, and patterns like destructive entitlement shape the balance of giving and receiving. Learn how therapy can help you heal from relational imbalance and build deeper, more just connections.
Why Trust in Relationships Depends on Predictability: An Asian American Therapist's Perspective
Trust is a cornerstone of healthy relationships, but it's not just built on effort—it's built on consistency. In this post, a trauma-informed Asian American therapist Hatty J. Lee, LMFT 83772 explores how predictability creates emotional safety and why even well-intentioned actions can fall short if they’re inconsistent. Learn how therapy can help you rebuild trust, shift relational dynamics, and become the kind of person others feel safe with.