Culture therapy for the places where belonging gets complicated
I work with adults who are carrying more than one set of expectations at once. Here, we can talk about how culture shapes what feels possible, speakable, or hard to claim.
What people bring me
People often come in feeling caught between family values, community norms, and their own wishes. They may worry about being seen as ungrateful, disloyal, or too different. Sometimes there is pressure to explain yourself in ways that never quite fit. That can make ordinary decisions feel loaded with guilt or doubt.
- I feel torn between what my family expects and what I want.
- I’m always translating myself for other people.
- I feel guilty when I choose something for me.
- I don’t know how to talk about what matters without causing conflict.
We can make room for the parts of you that were learned in more than one world.
How I work with it
I listen for the cultural messages that still shape self-worth, closeness, duty, and silence. We can look at where those messages support you and where they leave you feeling split or boxed in. The work may involve making space for grief, pride, anger, or relief that has been hard to voice. I keep attention on how culture shows up in relationships, identity, and the body, not just in ideas.
- Psychodynamic
- We can trace how earlier family and cultural experiences shaped what felt acceptable to want or say. That often helps make sense of guilt, loyalty, and hesitation that still show up now.
- Relational
- I pay attention to how culture shapes expectations inside the therapy relationship too. That can help us notice when you expect to be judged, corrected, or misunderstood.
- AEDP
- If strong feelings get held in for a long time, I may help you stay with them more fully. That can create room for feelings that have been hard to name in your family or community.
- DBT
- When the pressure feels overwhelming, we can use practical ways to steady the conversation. That can help you stay connected to your own mind while talking about hard choices.
What the first sessions look like
In the first sessions, we talk about the expectations you live with and where they came from. You do not have to explain your whole background perfectly; we can begin with what feels tense, confusing, or heavy now.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation. I usually reply within 2 business days.
Questions people ask
Can counseling for cultural identity help if I feel stuck between two worlds?
What if I feel ashamed about wanting something different from my family?
Do I need to know the right words for my culture?
Can we talk about how culture affects my relationships?
The practical details
- Fees
- My fee is $175 per session.
- Insurance
- I accept Aetna and Optum. If you use a different plan, I can talk through what your coverage may look like when you get in touch.
- Where
- 26 Court Street, Suite 409, Brooklyn, NY 11242
- Availability
- I am accepting new clients.
