First-Generation Experiences
First-Generation American & Children of Immigrants
First-generation Americans are the first generation of a family to be born and raised in America or to grow up here from a young age. Being the first generation of a family to live in the US can introduce many different experiences that differ from what immigrant parents and settled Americans face. Being the first child or group of children in your family to grow up in the US is a unique and complicated experience, so the impact can be challenging to understand. As a first-generation therapist, I aid my clients to explore uniqueness, including balancing cultural expectations from their heritage and their American sense of identity, experiences of guilt and obligation toward their families, and the pressure to succeed to honor their family's sacrifices. First-Generation Familial Trauma & Mental Health
As a first-generation American, it can be not easy to talk about your experiences growing up in American society due to feeling that those around you may not understand. Additionally, it can also be a significant challenge to talk to your own family about first-generation trauma out of fear of being seen as ungrateful, judged, or rebuked, or even viewed as needy. Immigrant parents are likely to have gone through trauma and acute stress of immigration, assimilation, and colonization. Many first-generation Americans can agree that their parents have suffered and worked diligently. As they sacrificed their time to achieve the "American Dream", they may also have different dreams for their children and unspoken expectations. The clients I have worked with have shared similar sentiments of worry about letting their parents down, making life changes that go against cultural norms, or even. Many individuals in this community suffer mental health issues and conditions. Because their own parents do not understand or encourage mental healthcare, they feel unable to reach out for help. It’s not uncommon to find yourself disconnected from your family’s culture when it comes to mental wellbeing, as well as feeling lost while trying to navigate your emotions and where t to recieve help that is actually catered to unique needs.
Family Relations & Expectations
First-generation individuals often cherish and feel proud of their culture and keep their family at the center of their minds. They are frequently reminded of parental sacrifices, leading to a natural pressure for individuals to be self-sacrificing and "succeed."
Because of their previous ability to succeed in school and work, new pressure intensifies and leaks into personal matters such as buying a home, getting married, or having kids. Although these major life milestones are to be celebrated, first-generation individuals typically struggle with hidden stress. Many first-generational adults struggle with feeling alone, misunderstood, and unsupported as they balance the familial expectations while exploring what they may want. 
Focusing on You and Your Needs
As first-generation individuals de-center family and center themselves, independence and self-trust can be hard to find. Through individual therapy, clients face their challenges alongside their hidden strengths and resiliency, which often has a positive impact on self-esteem and confidence.
Negative self-talk is reframed and better understood through a compassionate lens in therapy. This helps build a more positive self-image, self-resilience, and belief in one's experience. By resolving past issues and achieving goals, individuals gain a sense of accomplishment and a stronger faith in their abilities. 
Identity and Familial Healing & Transformation
As a first-generation individual, the journey of identity development can be exceptionally challenging when exploring various layers of your identity, including your family's beliefs, values, or interests, career, and more.
Through therapy, the process of self-exploration is gently uncovered by discussions of personal experiences, identity confusion or conflict amongst traditional expectations, and grieving and reconciling different aspects of your identity that may cause tension. In sessions, you will build skills to better manage lifestyle adjustments and self-acceptance, all while creating appropriate boundaries between you and your family. Many people from immigrant families face first-generation anxiety, depression, and trauma. As such, it is essential to learn more about what you can do to address how you feel and cope healthily.
Self-sacrifice without intentional boundaries and self-awareness can be harmful.
Even compassion needs limits.
Just because your family needs your support does not mean you deserve less in your life.
I was a first-generation college and graduate student. I’ve been there. As a first-generational professional and daughter of immigrants, I get it.
I will meet you where you are today — wherever that may be — and help you shed light onto the layers that you are. Explore your and your familial past, acknowledge your present, and curate your future.
