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Meet Our Asian Therapists for Women & Teen Girls

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • During our first session Hannah was proactive in creating a plan of action to properly diagnose me and address my concerns. Detailed. Office is beautiful. Love the decor, relaxing ambiance and free tea.

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  • She was very kind and thorough during intake and the entire office looks like something out of a lifestyle magazine.

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  • The office is lovely and welcoming, the in-take paperwork helped me prepare for what I wanted to talk about and gave me a starting point.

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  • Dr. Yang is warm and empathic, and made me feel comfortable from the very beginning.

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  • Brooke was super friendly and genuine. She made me feel very open and comfortable talking about myself and why I was there. I’ll definitely be booking another appointment!

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  • It was my first visit and she made me feel so safe. I opened up right away!

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Asian Therapists in Chicago

The Need for Culturally Competent Asian Therapists

Despite growing awareness of the need for culturally competent care, it can still be difficult to find Asian therapists who understand the lived experiences of Asian, Asian American, and other marginalized clients. Many face barriers such as geographic limitations and state-specific licensing restrictions, making it harder to access therapists who share or deeply understand their cultural background.

The term Asian American was first introduced in 1968 by student activists Emma Gee and Yuji Ichioka to increase visibility for Asian communities. Since then, identity terms have evolved to include AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander), APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American), and AANHPI (Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander). These broad categories encompass people from 49 countries, each with unique histories and cultural identities—but many share the experience of navigating “otherness” in the U.S.

Culturally attuned mental health care honors both shared and individual experiences within the Asian diaspora. At Balanced Awakening, we recognize how essential it is to feel seen and understood in therapy—and we’re committed to helping clients find support that reflects their identity and values.

Challenges in Finding Asian Therapists

According to U.S. Census Bureau data shared by the American Psychological Association, only 3.28% of psychological professionals in 2021 identified as Asian, and just 0.03% as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. This stands in contrast to 80.85% of the workforce identifying as White, highlighting a broader underrepresentation of clinicians from minority backgrounds.

Given the diversity across AAPI communities, many clients face structural barriers when seeking culturally aligned care. In her book Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning, Cathy Park Hong (2020) described the challenge of finding a therapist who shared her Korean heritage—discovering just one possible match in her insurance network in all of New York City. Her experience resonates with many who struggle to find therapists who understand the cultural nuances of their identity.

Several factors contribute to the shortage of Asian American mental health professionals, including limited access to educational and financial resources (Africa & Carrasco, 2011), and the societal pressures of the “model minority” myth (Lu, 2024; Omadeke, 2021). These systemic barriers not only impact the pipeline of future therapists but also make it harder for Asian and AAPI clients to find care that feels safe, validating, and culturally informed.

Representation Gaps: Mixed-Race Clinicians

Multiracial, biracial, mixed race—these terms reflect the shared experience of belonging to more than one racial group in a society shaped by rigid racial categories. While similar in some ways to multiethnic identities, the mixed-race experience often includes a distinct sense of liminality or “in-betweenness.” At Balanced Awakening, we recognize the fluidity of these identities and honor each individual’s preferred language and lived experience.

Although multiracial individuals are still underrepresented in many professional fields, they now represent the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. (Rico, 2024). Many in this group are children or teens, underscoring the future importance of representation in mental health care. Multiracial Asian Americans make up a large portion of this population, and their experiences can include identifying with both sides of their heritage, neither, or shifting between the two.

Because feeling seen and understood is foundational to effective therapy, we believe it's essential to expand awareness of the multiracial experience and, when possible, connect clients with clinicians who share or deeply understand their identity. For those navigating the complexities of being mixed and Asian American, therapy can be a powerful space for exploring self-discovery, racial and ethnic identity, and belonging. We’re here to support that journey.

Barriers in Asian and Asian American Communities that may Stigmatize Therapy

Limited Representation and Western Practices in Mental Health

Therapy in the U.S. is largely grounded in Western psychological theories and frameworks—which may not always reflect the cultural values, communication styles, or lived experiences of clients from diverse backgrounds. For some, this can create hesitation or discomfort in seeking care. Language barriers and a lack of cultural representation among providers can further limit access and connection.

These gaps highlight the urgent need for greater diversity within the mental health field, as well as ongoing cultural competence training to ensure therapy is inclusive, respectful, and responsive to all clients’ needs.


Shifting Perceptions Around Seeking Therapy

Historically, seeking therapy has carried stigma in many communities—including Asian and Asian American cultures—where emotional struggles were often kept private or minimized. While these judgments still exist for some, there has been a powerful global shift in recent years. More people now recognize the importance of mental health and view therapy as a proactive, empowering step toward emotional well-being.

Cultural Emphasis on Resilience and Self-Reliance

In many Asian communities, emotional resilience is deeply valued, often tied to the desire to “save face” or avoid placing burdens on others. This can lead individuals to internalize distress rather than seek support. While this pattern is shaped by cultural values, it’s not exclusive to Asian communities—many people across backgrounds feel pressure to manage struggles alone. At Balanced Awakening, we honor the strength it takes to reach out and believe that seeking help is a powerful act of courage, not weakness.

The Impact of the “Model Minority” Stereotype

Beyond cultural expectations, external narratives—like the “model minority” stereotype—can also contribute to the pressure to appear emotionally strong and self-sufficient. This stereotype often idealizes Asian individuals as high-achieving and problem-free, which can make it even harder to express vulnerability or seek support. At Balanced Awakening, we understand how these harmful narratives can silence emotional needs, and we create space for clients to be fully seen, heard, and supported.

 

The Strength of Informal Support Systems

Emotional support doesn’t always come from formal therapy. Many individuals find meaningful care through community connections, cultural traditions, and religious or spiritual practices. These informal support systems can play a powerful role in maintaining mental health and fostering resilience. At Balanced Awakening, we honor and respect these sources of strength while offering therapy as an additional layer of support when desired.


Benefits of Working with an Asian Therapist

In addition to the expertise of a trained mental health professional, working with a therapist of Asian descent may offer a deeper sense of cultural resonance. Shared understanding around multicultural, diasporic, and racial identities can enrich the therapeutic dialogue. Asian therapists may also relate to the complexities of immigrant generational experiences, intercultural relationships, and navigating both subtle and overt cultural dynamics—creating space for a more nuanced, affirming, and personalized therapeutic experience.

Works Cited

Cho, E. Y. (2024). Embracing identity, navigating discrimination, historic & contemporary traumas, self-care, and challenges of a second generation Korean-American art therapist (Master’s thesis, School of the Art Institute of Chicago). School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
https://digitalcollections.saic.edu/node/91746

Rico, B. (2024, May 31). 2020 census shows increase in multiracial population in all age categories. Census.gov. 

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/06/nearly-a-third-reporting-two-or-more-races-under-18-in-2020.html 

Balanced Awakening Lakeview
4043 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 301
Chicago, IL 60613
  
Balanced Awakening Andersonville
5215 N Ravenswood Ave, Ste 201 & 208
Chicago, IL 60640
  
Balanced Awakening Loop
25 E Washington St, Ste 1505
Chicago, IL 60602
  
Balanced Awakening Lincoln Park
561 W Diversey, Ste 205
Chicago, IL 60614
 

Asian Therapist Chicago Videos

Therapy FAQs

  • Pretty much anything that you’re going through emotionally, or in your life, can be made a little or a lot better by therapy! If you are unsure about whether we can help you, please feel free to reach out and ask a question.

  • Yes! But with some exceptions. There are 3 situations where, legally and ethically (whether we want to or not) we would have to break your confidentiality. These include if we learn of any potential child or elder abuse from you, we determine that you are at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or we receive a court order for your medical records. Also, some of our providers are under supervision and regularly consult with their supervisor about their client sessions. Supervisors have the same obligation to client confidentiality.

  • Our therapy rate in Chicago for the first two sessions is $250. After that, 55 minute sessions are $225. We accept BCBS PPO and Aetna insurance.

    Maximize Your Out-of-Network Benefits with Ease

    We’ve partnered with Thrizer to help you get the most out of your out-of-network benefits- especially if you're insured through plans like UnitedHealthcare or Cigna. Thrizer simplifies the reimbursement process by acting as your payment processor and handling claims on your behalf. That means no more super bills, no chasing down insurance companies, and faster reimbursements.

    Curious about your coverage if we’re out of network? We can likely provide a personalized estimate of your out-of-network benefits through Thrizer, so you’ll know exactly what to expect before getting started.

  • Yes! We offer virtual therapy sessions as well as in-person. Sometimes it’s easier for clients to engage in therapy virtually, whether due to commute time, caregiver obligations, or simple convenience. We want to make therapy as accessible as possible!

  • Therapy can help in so many ways, especially when you feel a connection with your therapist! Usually longer-term benefits of therapy are having a more hopeful outlook on life, reduction in any symptoms like anxiety or low mood, better sleep, feeling more grounded in your body, less emotional distress, increased feelings of satisfaction and pleasure in life, more stability in relationships, having an easier time meeting your goals, and more.

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We’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in becoming a client or would like to collaborate or work with us in some way : ).