Psychotherapy for Asian American Woman Warriors

SUMMARY

To treat Asian American women in psychotherapy, one needs to be cognizant of the images they conjure up. Negative images common in the media and literature need to be replaced by empowering ones if we are to be responsive to multicultural and feminist values. The passive, self-effacing, exotic China doll needs to be replaced by the Woman Warrior image, a classic in Chinese mythology. A look at the evolution of women's roles in China, and the influence of Taoist as well as Confucian philosophy, is important to properly anchor empowering roles for women to be supported in psychotherapy.

Key Words:

• Chinese American families
• Chinese American women
• storytelling
• mythology