
The Journey Blog
Writings to meet you where you are
When You Are Confused For the Other Asian Person: You Deserve To Be Known
Growing up as an Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area, it can be a common experience to be confused with another Asian person. Oak and Stone Therapy explores these racial experiences and emphasizes the importance of being fully seen and known.
Finding Your Way with Family Wealth
Growing up with wealth in an Asian American family in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area can bring unique pressures and complexities. Oak and Stone Therapy explores these dynamics and offers support for a healthy relationship with inherited wealth.
Therapy for Creatives in the Entertainment Industry: What No One Talks About
Being an Asian American creative in today's world isn't just about talent or passion — it's a journey often marked by hidden emotional struggles. From battling impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and creative blocks, to coping with career uncertainty, rejection, and identity doubts, many creatives face intense inner challenges that aren't always visible from the outside. Whether you're an actor, writer, artist, musician, or entrepreneur, navigating the pressures of inspiration, performance, and self-worth can take a toll on your mental health. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we understand the unique emotional experiences of creatives — especially Asian American, BIPOC, and first-generation individuals — and offer therapy designed to help you reclaim your confidence, heal from burnout, and rediscover your creative voice.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries for Asian Americans who Struggle
The conversation around boundaries is everywhere, but often misses a crucial point: true boundary setting isn't about controlling others, it's about defining and enacting your own responses. Many online discussions frame boundaries as demands on others ("You can't do that!"), but what happens when those demands aren't met? At Oak and Stone Therapy, we understand that helpful boundaries empower you to create your own peace and safety, regardless of external reactions. Setting and reinforcing these limits, especially for Asian Americans, is about making conscious choices about how you'll respond to different behaviors, ultimately fostering healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Read on to explore how focusing on internal agency can lead to profound relational shifts.
How Trauma Affects the Mind and Body — And Why Experiential Therapy Can Help
Trauma can leave invisible wounds, impacting your mind, body, and spirit in profound ways. At Oak and Stone Therapy, we understand the unique experiences and cultural nuances that can shape the impact of trauma on Asian Americans in California, whether you're in the heart of Los Angeles, the vibrant community of Highland Park, the historic streets of Pasadena, or the diverse landscape of the Bay Area. If you're seeking a path to healing from trauma that honors your background and lived experiences, our therapists offer compassionate and effective approaches like Brainspotting, EMDR, and Restoration Therapy. Discover how our culturally sensitive care can help you reclaim your well-being and find lasting healing.
You Were Never Meant to Mother Alone: Therapy for Moms Matter
Struggling with identity loss, burnout, or postpartum overwhelm? Therapy with an Asian American therapist in Los Angeles can help you feel seen, supported, and whole again.
When One of You Has ADHD: What Couples Therapy Reveals
Loving someone with ADHD brings unique joys and challenges. If you're in a neurodivergent relationship in Los Angeles, Pasadena, the Bay Area, or Seattle, the Asian American therapists at Oak and Stone offers practical tools for better communication, understanding, and a stronger connection. Learn how we can help you navigate ADHD together.
Is Perfectionism Hiding Your ADHD?
As an Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area, does your drive for perfection feel exhausting? It might be masking underlying ADHD. Oak and Stone Therapy offers culturally sensitive support to understand and navigate this, helping you break free from the pressure and find genuine well-being.
Being an Empath From an Asian American Family: How to Stay Grounded Without Losing Yourself
Are you an empathic Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, the Bay Area, or Seattle feeling overwhelmed by others' emotions? Oak and Stone Therapy explores the unique experiences of empaths in the Asian American community and offers self-care tips to protect your well-being.
Therapy for Asian American Executives, Founders & Entrepreneurs: Why It Matters
Are you an Asian American executive, founder, or entrepreneur in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area Silicon Valley facing unique pressures? Oak and Stone Therapy offers support to manage stress, navigate cultural expectations, and enhance your leadership journey. Discover how therapy can help you thrive.
Codependency in Asian American Families: Understanding & Healing
Navigating codependent patterns within Asian American families in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area? Oak and Stone Therapy explores how cultural values can influence these dynamics and offers steps towards healthier, more independent relationships.
Why LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy Matters for Asian AmericanS
Navigating identity as an LGBTQIA+ Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area? Cultural expectations can clash with self-discovery. Oak and Stone Therapy offers affirming and culturally sensitive support to help you embrace your authentic self.
High-Functioning ADHD as Asian American: Understanding and Finding support
Are you a high-achieving Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area who suspects you have ADHD? Oak and Stone Therapy explores the unique challenges and offers culturally sensitive support to help you thrive as a neurodivergent individual.
When You’re the First to Build Wealth: Mental Health Support for First-Gen Asian Americans
Building first-generation wealth as an Asian American in Los Angeles, Pasadena, or the Bay Area can bring pride and pressure. Oak and Stone Therapy explores the unique mental health challenges and offers support to navigate this journey.
When Good Intentions have A HURTFUL IMPACT
Asian therapist Samuel Kim, LMFT #141541 at Oak and Stone Therapy in Los Angeles, California writes about how to navigate situations when good intentions lead to a hurtful impact.
3 Possible Reasons Why Couples Therapy Isn’t Working
Nancy Denq, LMFT 146636 explores common reasons why couples therapy may not be working for you, introduces discernment counseling for couples who are not sure they want to move forward in the relationship, and offers possible ways to move forward.
Even If You Were Never Taught—You Can Learn to Care for Your Emotions Now
Maybe no one ever taught you how to care for your emotions. Maybe your feelings were dismissed, minimized, or treated like a burden. Over time, you learned to avoid them—but that avoidance doesn’t make the pain go away. In this post, we explore how emotional neglect shapes our inner world, why numbing leads to disconnection, and how therapy offers a path back to feeling, healing, and meaningful connection.