What Does Being an “American” Look Like in the Therapy Room?

ABSTRACT

A clinical experience of an Asian Indian therapist working with a client of a similar ethnic background is analyzed. The relational dynamics in the therapy and the impact of a perceived shared identity are examined. Transference and countertransference processes are emphasized. A shared perceived ethnic identity created complexities in the therapeutic relationship and affected the therapy in surprising ways. Assumptions related to a shared ethnic identity affected the ability to form a therapeutic alliance.

KEYWORDS:

• Asian Indian
• countertransference
• cross-cultural counseling
• ethnic identity
• immigration
• minority groups
• multicultural counseling
• multicultural education
• psychotherapeutic processes
• race
• racial and ethnic groups
• South Asian cultural groups
• therapeutic alliance
• therapists
• therapist’s characteristics
• transference

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rohini Gupta

Rohini Gupta, PsyD, MSW, is a clinical psychologist. She is on the faculty at the International Disaster Psychology Program at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver. She is director of the Trauma & Disaster Recovery Clinic and has a private practice specializing in trauma treatment, grief and loss, cross-cultural psychotherapy, and professional issues.