Between civilizations: Psychoanalytic therapy with Asian North Americans

Abstract

It is not only the Asian immigrant or second-generation Asian who is psychologically caught between civilizations, but also the Euro-American therapist once he or she begins to work with them. The first part of the paper delves into the cultural self of the therapist. It then proceeds to the most difficult part of psychoanalytic therapy with Asian Americans: first recognizing a different normality/psychopathology continuum and then locating where the patient's problems are located on this. Case examples indicate that empathy is often not enough, knowledge of the cultural/psychological make-up is necessary. The third part shows how the three psychosocial dimensions of Asian hierarchical relationship structure the therapy relationship. The fourth part explores the bicultural self of Asian Americans, contrasting the familial self of Asians with the individualized self of Euro-Americans and the conflicts this stirs up. Issues of anger, modes of communication, the magic–cosmic and spiritual worlds, and trauma from the homeland before immigration are also delved into.

Keywords:

• cultural self
• cultural difference
• bicultural self
• Asian Americans