Acculturation & Bi-Cultural Issues
The Bicultural Balance
One of the biggest issues for adult children of immigrants who are now
living in the United States is what I like to call the "bicultural
balance." I use the term to describe the balancing act that adult
children of immigrants must endure as they attempt to maintain their family's
cultural origins, traditions, and familial expectations while simultaneously
trying to adapt to their new community.
The bicultural balance can be particularly difficult - even stressful -
for immigrants because it calls for quick adaptation to a new community
that adheres to a different set of norms and behaviors. Not surprisingly,
the transition is especially challenging for some individuals - it certainly
was for me!
My Story
Born in Iran, I moved to the U.S. with my family in 1979. For 5 years
prior to the move, I grew up among an Iranian community of people whose
tight-knit cultural values placed great emphasis on family connections.
As you can imagine, it came as a great shock to me when I entered the
U.S., where the cultural drive is geared more toward independence from
your family of origin. The conflict was difficult for a child of my age
to understand. In fact, it was this very contrast in cultural norms and
values that sparked my initial interest in the psychological field.
Today, after years of studying the psychology behind cultural backgrounds,
familial traditions, and coping mechanisms, I have come to realize that
our cultural backgrounds significantly impact the way that we understand
and cope with our world. This realization was life-changing for me, and
it could be for you too!
Your Sherman Oaks Therapist
For my clients who are struggling with acculturation and bi-cultural issues
in America, I aim to help them identify the reasons behind their feelings
of displacement, confusion, depression, and the like. I take an empathic
approach in the assistance that I provide to my clients, aiming to help
struggling individuals create the balance they need in order to understand
and adopt effective ways of melding together both of their worlds.
For more information about the acculturation and bi-cultural therapy that
I offer in Sherman Oaks, please feel free to
contact me
at your convenience.