Jean Lau Chin

George K. Hong

Joan Huser Liem

MaryAnna Domokos-Cheng Ham

The Asian American population is increasing rapidly and, not unpredictably, so are its mental health needs. A number of cultural factors and stressors common to Asian Americans pose obstacles to the successful employment of Western psychotherapy approaches and counseling---for example, the central role of the family in Asian life and the culturally based, traditional stigma associated with mental health problems. The authors, all practicing psychotherapists, focus on the critical aspects of transference and empathy in their consideration of the mental health approaches and therapies appropriate to ethnic minority population. The work has value as a resource for professionals and as a training guide for those intending to practice as psychotherapists and counselors in minority communities. It offers extraordinary insights and practical guidance through the use of case studies. Not only do these identify problems stemming from the racial differences between client and therapist, but they also provide rich clinical examples of case diagnosis, treatment plans, and client status statements. This is an important book that will further both the theory and practice of psychotherapy among minority populations.

Cultural Values and Treatment Needs

Transference and Empathy in Asian American Psychotherapy

Mary Anna Domokos-Cheng Ham

F. Maryanna Ham

The family-centered nature of Asian American life, the stresses on the minority position, and the cultural stigma associated with mental illness combine to constitute significant obstacles to the provision of appropriate mental health care for Asian-Americans. The authors, all practicing psychotherapists, focus on two critical aspects of the therapeutic relationship--transference and empathy--emphasizing the need to apply these fundamental concepts within the context of Asian cultural values and treatment needs. The work includes in-depth case studies which will be valuable in training psychotherapists and counseling practitioners to be sensitive to the mental health needs of people of non-European background whose numbers are increasing rapidly in the United States.

Joan Huser Liem

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