The Korean-American Goldilocks of Psychotherapy

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“They would not be able to help me and I do not need their help anyway” is a common answer given by Korean-Americans when asked why they do not utilize mental health services, such as psychotherapy. This response broadly reflects two of the reasons why Korean-Americans are largely opposed to Western psychotherapy. For one, there is the widespread opinion among the Korean-American population that the psychotherapist or mental health specialist conceives of the problems and solutions using a framework that differs from their cultural beliefs (Kim & Ryu, 2005). In other words, Korean-Americans believe that the therapy could not possibly be advantageous because the therapist would not understand their presenting problem. Another more influential explanation for the sparse participation in Western psychotherapy among Korean-Americans is the idea that their problems do not require outside help. Within the Korean-American culture there is the understanding that problems arise as the result of pal-ja, or “immutable destiny,” and are to be quietly tolerated without seeking outside support or guidance—to solicit the assistance of a psychotherapist is thought to be shameful (Kim & Ryu, 2005, p. 357).
Establishing a good fit between the cultural experiences of the client and the type of treatment provided is important when working with all ethnic clients, but it is especially critical when working with Korean-Americans. This is because of the negative assumptions they hold about psychotherapy (Sue & Zane, 2009). By virtue of the extreme distrust and skepticism that Korean-Americans have towards Western psychotherapy, those voluntarily entering therapy likely consider it their last option and may be ambivalent about their decision (S...

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Rogers, Carl R. (1961b). Some Hypotehses Regarding the Faciliation of Personal Growth On Becoming A Person (pp. 31-37). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Sue, Stanley, & Zane, Nolan. (2009). The Role of Culture and Cultural Techniques in Psychotherapy. Asian American Journal of Psychology(1), 3-14.
Watson, Jeanne C., Goldman, Rhonda N., & Greenberg, Leslie S. (2011). Contrasting Two Clients in Emotion-Foucsed Therapy for Depression 1L The Case of "Tom, "Trapped in the Tunnel". Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy, 7, 268-304.

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