Liberation Psychology Perspectives for Asian American Clients

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.