Who are the Best Acculturation & Immigration Therapists in Los Angeles?
Moving to a new country definitely has its own set of pros and cons. It can be both an exciting and scary transition. Not many people talk about the nuances of the immigration process or concerns like the fear of financial insecurity, language barrier, culture shock, social isolation, employment difficulties, dealing with biases, and health insurance, among other challenges. A combination of these experiences can impact our overall health.
If you’re currently feeling out of place in a new environment, it is normal to find it challenging to find your groove or new community.
Learning a new language or the culture's colloquialisms/slang can be an adjustment. It can feel lonely trying to adapt to a different culture, with its nuances. For many people, It's tough to find a job that matches their skills especially if their qualifications are not recognized in the new country.
The good news is that despite the burden, many immigrants have successfully learned to adapt and thrive in their environment and you can do the same.
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How acculturation therapy for immigrants can help
When you’re going through a tough time or stress in your hometown, you have family and friends to lean on. As an immigrant who has yet to find close friends or build the kind of camaraderie you had back home, you realize how lonely being away from home is. On top of that, the people around you may not share the same stressors as you do. If this resonates, acculturation therapy might just be what you need.
It opens you up to a new culture
It’s normal to feel alone in a sea of people and a lifestyle you’re not familiar with. At first, the culture shock can be staggering but acculturation therapy has helped many people deeply understand the cultural norms of their new environment. Trained counselors can ease the transition and reduce feelings of confusion and loneliness. You can learn to understand the host culture, build more meaningful connections, and feel more at home even if you’re far away from home.
You don’t lose yourself in the process
Most clients express the fear of losing their values in a bid to acclimate. Although learning to adapt is very important, it’s equally important that you don’t lose your own cultural identity in the process. With acculturation therapy, you can find a balance between embracing your new life and maintaining your cultural heritage. Build a healthier sense of identity while blending into a new place.
Learn to communicate effectively
This doesn't mean abandoning your own ways of communicating in your hometown. It means being able to express yourself in a way that is received well by others. You’ll realize that learning to communicate in a new place is more than just understanding the language, it includes the values, social behaviors, and cultural conventions. Behaviors or language you consider normal are probably being done the opposite way. You're taking in so much information all while trying to adjust.
Acculturation Therapy at Diversified Therapy LA
Access to culturally competent care
At Diversified Therapy LA, we understand that culture plays a huge role in counseling and mental health. Our therapists are culturally attuned and take into cognizance your peculiar background and experiences. We ensure that your cultural nuances are respected and integrated into your therapy sessions.
We work best with clients who have experienced racial/cultural trauma, who are in an interracial relationship, or have immigrated the U.S., or are first-generation.
Specialized care in a safe and supportive environment
At Diversified Therapy, we practice trauma-informed care. Think of our counseling sessions as a safe space to face your trauma and utilize personalized solutions to help you successfully acclimate to your environment.
If this is something that you believe is a good fit, please give us a call for a free consultation to learn more about your needs.
3 best Los Angeles therapists for immigrants
1. Ana Kashefi, LMFT
I have had the privilege to work with Ana as a colleague. Her personal experience as a child of first-generation immigrants allows her to practice deep empathy and understanding towards her clients. She creates a very natural, welcoming, and comfortable space for her clients and everyone she encounters. Among her specialties is assisting others in life transitions. Ana is a very skilled immigration therapist.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Education: California State of Northridge, Post-Masters Fellowship at UCLA for Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST), Advanced Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy trainings with Dr. Phil Wolfson
Specialty area(s): Creatives, Adults in Transition, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, Sex Therapy
2. Nadia London, APCC
Nadia is an immigrant/acculturation therapist who uses her experiences as a first-generation American to help her clients navigate the unique nuances and microaggressions of bridging cultural differences while honoring the desires of their true selves. Nadia understands what it feels like to carry the weight of being the first in your family to carve a new path, manage cross-cultural relationships, and teeter between what feels to be separate worlds. She is passionate about helping her clients honor their experiences, build confidence, and ultimately show up in spaces as their true selves.
Credentials: Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Education: Northwestern University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Specialty area(s): BIPOC, first-generation and undocumented individuals, interracial couples therapy
3. Lillian Farzan, LMFT
Lillian's experiences as a first-generation American and the daughter of Iranian Jewish immigrants influence her impactful work with her clients. Lillian grew up with a deep understanding of oppression, discrimination, and inequity, which is exactly what makes her an outstanding therapist. Lillian is relatable, collaborative, and knowledgeable about the nuances of immigration/acculturation. In therapy with her, you will learn to access your strengths without leaving your identities behind.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Education: UC Santa Cruz, University of Southern California, Parnell Institute's Attachment-Focused EMDR Training
Specialty area(s): Acculturation/Immigration Therapy, racial identity development, lgbtq+ identity development, sexual trauma, and family systems.
FAQs about acculturation & immigrant therapy
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The stress of trying to adapt to a new environment can induce mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is even more so for an immigrant or refugee who has been through a lot of trauma in their home country, experienced abuse or domestic violence, and is finally looking forward to a new life. Exposure to discrimination and fear of deportation can worsen this stress.
There’s also a lack of access to culturally competent mental health care, financial constraints, and the existing stigma in many cultures about mental health treatments. One study shows that immigrants are less likely than members of the general population to have access to public mental health services. Unfortunately, many immigrants come from cultures that frown on mental health treatments. Therapy is seen as something that only the 'mentally ill' individuals seek.
Also, a lot of immigrants are not aware of the mental health resources available to them. This emphasizes the need for immigrant populations to be exposed to more accessible and culturally sensitive mental health care.
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No two migration experiences are the same. Migration is often associated with psychological distress experienced by individuals or families as they face the difficult process of relocating to a new country. Several people had to endure traumatic events in their home country: war, persecution, abuse, severe hunger or extreme poverty. All these can add to the pressure of trying to adapt. Upon arriving in their host countries, many immigrants also encounter discrimination, cultural dislocation, and language barriers that can contribute to their existing trauma and PTSD. For anyone currently experiencing immigration trauma, it is important to talk to a counselor about what you're carrying to receive the right services. I'd recommend a culturally sensitive provider who can help you process your emotions and heal from past and get immediate help.
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Unfortunately, Diversified Therapy does not provide psychological evaluations. Instead, Diversified Therapy helps clients through therapy regarding topics such as transitions, racial/cultural therapy, and interracial couples therapy.
These services could be a good fit for you if you have or are experiencing distress related to your culture and if it impacts your identity, personal relationships and professional life.
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Aside from counseling, there are different mental health resources available to you.
Community Support Groups
Socializing with people from the same culture can make you feel a little bit more at home. Local immigrant community centers or groups provide social support and a sense of belonging. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has some resources and support groups like this for immigrants and refugees.
Organizations
The centers below offer mental health and overall well-being for immigrant communities.
Nuestra Casa - an organization that helps immigrant individuals and their family members gain stability
Immigrants Rising - an organization that supports immigrant and undocumented families and individuals access to legal, educational, career support, and mental health services
United We Dream - a youth-led organization that empowers young immigrants, and undocumented children and their families
Schedule your free consultation today.
Building a sense of home and community in a foreign country might take some time. With patience, being open to change, and readiness to embrace the opportunity to learn, you’ll adapt overtime. Most people going through immigration trauma are unable to talk to anyone about their experiences. A lot of immigrants also harbor a sense of guilt, considering themselves lucky to have moved in search of greener pastures, particularly if you left loved ones behind. With the right treatment plan, we can work together step by step towards healing.
At Diversified Therapy LA, we are eager to work with you to overcome cultural barriers and thrive in whichever environment you find yourself. Whether you are seeking treatment for yourself or convincing a loved one to get help, feel free to reach out today. In therapy with us, YOU are the focus and priority.
