Liberation Psychology Perspectives for Asian American Clients

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Abstract

Asian Americans encounter the dual myths of being superhuman as a model minority and subhuman as a target of anti-Asian sentiment and hate. These myths permeate psychological service settings, perpetuating at least a century-long misunderstanding, homogenization, and dehumanization of Asian Americans. These conditions might be overlooked and considered irrelevant by some clinical approaches that are disconnected from Asian Americans’ collective and unique history (ahistorical) and sociopolitical context (acontextual). These approaches may unintentionally encourage clients to adjust to the system rather than critically engage the role of identity, power, and oppression in a larger social structure. The present article incorporates liberation psychology perspectives to discuss how health service psychologists can better integrate a historical, cultural, and sociopolitical understanding of Asian Americans’ experiences into psychotherapy practice. Our new B.R.A.V.E. model can aid clinical practice as a reminder of key liberation psychology principles and applications. The article also discusses practical considerations and a case illustration for bringing liberation psychology into working with Asian American clients.

Continuing Education Information

1 CE Credit, Instructional Level: Intermediate

1 Contact Hour (New York Board of Psychology)

Learning Objectives:

  1. Utilize liberation psychology perspectives to better integrate a historical, cultural, and sociopolitical understanding of Asian Americans’ experiences into psychotherapy practice. 
  2. Describe the elements of the B.R.A.V.E. model.
  3. Discuss practical considerations and a case illustration for bringing liberation psychology into working with Asian American clients. 

Disclosures: Nothing to disclose

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CE Disclaimers

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The National Register maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0010

Garrison et al.

Yunkyoung L. Garrison, PhD, (she/her) is a licensed psychologist and an assistant professor of psychology at Bates College. She is an affiliated psychologist at Psychology Specialists of Maine.

Shin Shin Tang, PhD, (she/hers) is a licensed psychologist and the author of Asian American Psychology and Psychotherapy: Intergenerational Trauma, Betrayal, and Liberation. She maintains a private practice in Eugene, Oregon, the traditional homeland of the Kalapuya people, and teaches trauma psychology at Oregon State University. Her website can be found at www.shinshintang.com.

B. Andi Lee, MS, (she/hers) is a PhD candidate at University of Illinois and pre-doctoral intern at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Her research and clinical practice center liberation psychology, healing, and belonging for Global Majority members.

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