Asian American Anxiety Therapy in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Seattle | California, Washington, Florida, and Connecticut

Are you struggling with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed, fit in, or meet others' expectations? If you're an Asian American facing anxiety, you might feel as if your story is shaped by cultural pressures, family expectations, and societal demands. These influences can often lead to a sense of being stuck in a narrative of anxiety, where worry, fear, and self-doubt dominate your life.

At Center for Asian American Traumas, we offer anxiety therapy through the lens of narrative therapy, a therapeutic approach pioneered by Michael White. In narrative therapy, we believe that the stories we tell ourselves shape our experiences and influence how we view the world. If you’re experiencing anxiety, it’s likely because the dominant narrative in your life is one of pressure, self-criticism, and the belief that you’re never enough. Together, we can rewrite this story and reclaim the narrative of your life.

Understanding Anxiety Through the Lens of Narrative Therapy

In narrative therapy, we view anxiety not as an inherent part of who you are, but as something that has become intertwined with your life story. Anxiety often arises when external pressures, like the expectations of family, culture, and society, become a central theme in the story of your life. Whether it’s the drive to succeed academically, meet familial expectations, or navigate cultural conflicts, these pressures can create an overwhelming narrative of stress and fear.

For many Asian Americans, this narrative includes constant worry about not living up to the high standards set by family or society, fear of disappointing loved ones, or struggling with identity and belonging in a world that may not fully understand your cultural background. In narrative therapy, we seek to externalize these pressures and view them as separate from your true self. Anxiety becomes something that you can actively work with and change, rather than something that defines you.

How Narrative Therapy Can Help You Overcome Anxiety

Narrative therapy provides a space for you to re-author your life’s story in a way that empowers you and reduces the hold that anxiety has on your life. Here’s how anxiety therapy from a narrative therapy perspective can help:

• Externalizing Anxiety: In narrative therapy, we separate the anxiety from your identity. Anxiety is not who you are—it's a response to external pressures. By externalizing anxiety, you gain the ability to observe it, challenge it, and rewrite the role it plays in your life.

• Deconstructing the Narrative of Pressure: Together, we’ll explore how cultural, familial, and societal pressures have shaped the story of your life. We’ll work to uncover the ways in which these expectations have contributed to your anxiety and examine the impact they’ve had on your sense of self. By understanding the origins of these narratives, we can begin to shift them.

• Rewriting Your Story: You are not defined by the pressure to succeed or by fear of failure. In therapy, we’ll work together to rewrite your life’s story—one in which you can prioritize your well-being, embrace imperfection, and let go of the need to meet every expectation. By acknowledging and redefining your experiences, you can regain control over your life and find peace.

• Building New, Empowering Narratives: Through narrative therapy, you’ll create new stories of resilience, strength, and self-compassion. These new narratives will help you challenge perfectionism, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier coping strategies. We’ll focus on your abilities to overcome adversity, connect with your authentic self, and rewrite your future with intention and empowerment.

• Exploring Identity and Belonging: In narrative therapy, we recognize the complexities of cultural identity. You may struggle with fitting into multiple cultural worlds, and this tension can contribute to anxiety. Through therapy, we’ll explore how your cultural heritage is a strength and create a new narrative of belonging and self-acceptance, independent of external pressures.

You Have the Power to Rewrite Your Story

Anxiety may feel like an unchangeable part of your life, but it doesn’t have to be. With narrative therapy, you can reclaim your story and rewrite it in a way that reflects your true self—one that is not defined by anxiety, perfectionism, or the pressures of others. You have the power to reshape your future and create a life that is authentic, fulfilling, and free from the hold of anxiety.

If you're ready to rewrite your story and take control of your life, Center for Asian American Traumas is here to help. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward healing and empowerment through narrative therapy.s