growing up korean american & my experience being an asian american therapist 🇰🇷🇺🇲🤎

Dear viewer,
This video came sort of organically one day, just felt like it would be a good idea to sit and talk about my ~origin story~. It’s a long one but a special one, so hope you enjoy sitting down and getting to know a lot more about me and why I do my work. Thank you always for your support and giving me this platform to share. Sending love and light.
Xo, Yeonni.
Music by Reggie San Miguel - Daydream - thmatc.co/?l=2...

[@TheJessica195]

As a Mexican American, I relate so much to bits and pieces of your story, and especially about the part of feeling like it’s bad to have feelings, majoring in psychology in my undergrad blew my mind too in knowing that it’s okay to talk about have emotions and to talk about them! I also related to the story of wanting to have blonde hair as a kid, your story is powerful, and I’m sure there are many other underrepresented groups out there who relate to your story too. This makes me excited to step into social work and advocate for the Mexican American population. Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@hi.yeonni]

Thank you so much for your comment, Jessica! I am SO EXCITED for your own journey, you are going to change people’s lives and help others feel SEEN. Best of luck in your journey

[@TheJessica195]

hiyeonni thank youuu! 💖

[@casseopiah]

Hey, I just wanted to say that I feel SO much connection with you! I grew up as a Korean-Canadian, and I recently got accepted into my desired social work program! A HUGE part of the reason I decided to pursue social work as a career is because of my experience as an immigrant and I definitely feel that there is a lot in common :) I love watching your videos and getting a look at how my life would potentially be like a few years down the road! all the love from Canada xx

[@hi.yeonni]

Thank you so much for watching! I am so happy to hear that you were able to relate, see? We are not alone :) best of luck in your journey! ^^*

[@sheenacanoy9597]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m currently doing my MSW and man, you hit every feels I’ve ever felt. I was born in chicago but I grew up in a Filipino household. Thank you for being such an advocate and using your platform! You’re amazing!

[@mariee_e]

Hi!! I see you!! Filipina here considering social work/counseling too. We got this

[@kawaii1053]

I love that you’re speaking out about mental health and being an advocate for Asian Americans! You’ve inspired me to start doing the same and to get the courage to start my own YT channel soon :) I do think people are hungry for more meaningful content like yours. Thank you for having the courage to keep putting yourself out there 🙌🏻✨

[@hi.yeonni]

Omg that’s amazing!!! Thank you so much for letting me know, literally made my day. I am subbing right now! Supporting you and excited for your KZbin journey ^^*

[@growladygrow2641]

@@hi.yeonni Thank you so much! I just set up my page for Grow Lady Grow inspired by my plant nerdiness and passion for personal growth...eeek. Thanks again for showing me that genuine Ytubers do exist

[@kawaii1053]

ʚ h o n n i t e a ɞ awesome! I started following you. My channel is the Grow Lady Grow channel up above :)

[@dariahs.8128]

I love this video, and youtube is such a great way to learn new information, and find out what your passionate about, i have been watching your videos for a long time and it has helped me to decide what i want to do when i’m older. thank you for making these video’s!💕💕

[@hi.yeonni]

Thanks so much for listening in, and supporting me. It means so much that I was able to have some sort of positive influence it truly means the world to me! Best of luck and sending you positive vibes

[@Enchanteralle]

I can so relate to many things you shared in your video. I was the only one among my friends majoring in psychology and pursuing a career in mental health. Most of my friends are aiming med school or majoring in engineering. So it was a lonely journey. I didn't have anyone to go to when it comes to learning more about my interest and potential career in mental health, especially being Asian American. I also didn't start out a psych major, but somehow I found my passion in it some time in college. I don't regret a single thing working in this field. Fast forward a decade later, I've learned that some people I know from college are not happy with their jobs and they envy that I still enjoy my job. Thanks for sharing!

[@hi.yeonni]

I’m so glad that you were able to relate! Thanks for watching! ^^*

[@stephanieslater8304]

Thank you so much for making this video. I recently just graduated with my MSW and I resonated so much with the things you said in this video. Representation is such an important topic for me and when I watched this video I felt seen as well. I am used to being the only Asian in the room and in my classes, but being able to see more Asian American Mental Health Professionals is really inspiring.

[@hi.yeonni]

This. Wow. You’ve reinforced to me just why I am in this field and why I make these videos. Thank you, Stephanie. Congratulations on graduating and fight on!

[@KC-ep6sg]

This is such a great video, thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your experiences! This channel is so underrated 💖💖💖

[@hi.yeonni]

Thank you so much for watching, I appreciate it so much :’)))

[@ashleyjasko2104]

Thank you so much for sharing and being vulnerable in discussing this important topic! I just graduated with my MSW this month and have been watching a bunch of your videos recently. You provide such great information and I plan to keep coming back to these videos and using them as a resource as I start my career. Wishing you all the best :)

[@Bslx0]

Thanks for making these videos Yeonni!! Please keep making more of these videos! KZbinrs like you continue to empower me to move forward in the SW field!

[@hi.yeonni]

Yess all the love and power to you! Thanks for watching! ^^*

[@yihouse]

Hey! Thanks for this post. I'm a Japanese clinical social worker practicing therapy (at an agency) and I totally agree with lack of Asian therapists in the US on the East Coast! Totally relatable. Glad you are representing us here. Would be great to connect!

[@kelly1429]

This video and your channel is MUCH appreciated 🙏🏿. I can relate to your story as I am 1st gen Ghanaian/Togolese American. I'm finishing up my MSW Spring 2021 and looking to become a therapist for similar reasons as you described. I see you doing the work and it's paying off for sure! Keep making great content!😊

[@SurZaineOpps]

Hey Yeonni!! Thank you so much for sharing your story, it has been inspiring to see how far you have come from your darkest days. You've definitely grown to become a stronger person and having your painful experiences to share and uplift others is really amazing. And I am very thankful to be one of them! Even though the experience was different/ on another level, I do relate to what you have shared. Being a multiracial person (mix of Chinese and Malay living in Singapore hehe), I struggled, and still am struggling, with my own identity. Every single day I am being reminded of how I am different- from the way I speak and the way I look. People would even think that I am a foreigner and gave a couple bad remarks. I feel like I don't belong to either one of my race. Some would easily isolate/ tease me just because of how I 'sound' different. Mostly because I lost my ability to fully converse in my native/ Mother Tongue language. Till this day I find ways to cope, leaving me with little to no friends (but hey, smaller group of friends means a lot rather than having a large one without meaning haha). Honestly just like what you have said, these years of experience got me to have a social anxiety which I am learning to cope with. It is my dream to create awareness on this topic and I have yet to find a start. I am very thankful that you have opened this topic and most importantly your encouraging words! They're such an amazing reminder for all of us. I pray that your hopes and dreams of having a safe space for everyone will eventually come! Stay healthy and have a safe move to your new home! Sending you all the love and good vibes!! 💛💛💛💚💚💚💙💙💙💜💜💜❤️❤️❤️

[@hi.yeonni]

Hi Suryane

[@dizzypuppy7958]

Yeonni, there is no reason to apologize for having so much of value to say. This video can help so many types of people--allowing fellow Asian Americans to relate to a shared experience as foreign born or even American born first generation; allowing non-Asians to understand the experience of feeling like an outsider both in and out of your home, and how they may have contributed to that feeling; representing and advocating for more Asians and other minorities in the field of mental health; and helping to diminish and devalue the stigma against mental health care for yours and so many other cultures. Well articulated, genuinely expressed. When contributing so many worthwhile insights, don't hesitate to make your videos even longer if you need to. We'll just get more snacks. Thank you.

[@yarethvarela7182]

You deserve the world!

[@hi.yeonni]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@s.k.8333]

Thank you so much for this video I feel really inspired as an Asian American trying to go into this field of work. This means a lot to me :)

[@casperTheBird]

Hello, I’m late to the party, but I was just so excited to see an asian american therapist on youtube!!! I’m chinese american trying to become a therapist! I’m leaving my career as a computer engineer lmao, oh the confusion and disapointment of my family x,D But I realized that I want to make a difference in people’s lives. It feels so strange though, because mental health and the asian community feel like different planets. Mental health philosophies/techniques in the US were definitely not developed with asian culture in mind (no surprise there). But I think mental health should be accessible to our community. Even if the community itself has resistance to it, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying to reach out. The asian american community needs and deserves mental health support just as much as other americans, if not (dare I say) sometimes more. Anyway, thanks for fighting the good fight

[@zhangmanru1055]

i see you! I find your video to be very inspiring as a Chinese American therapist in Brooklyn. Thank you

[@grantchen9731]

My parents had very little expectation for me, I’m a single child and spoiled. I kind of wished they were more strict I might appreciate them more

[@yoyang_caregiver]

Thank you for sharing your story♡

[@hi.yeonni]

And thank you for listening in

[@SYO506]

DON'T Apologies yeonni :), I enjoyed watching the video it was an inspiring story I loved hearing it to the end and it made me realize that even thought i had a lot of scars and insecurities from childhood that it will not stop me from achieving my goals and living my life at the fullest, we will have anxiety about things and we will suffer but the important thing is you must always reach for the new bright day that awaits you

[@hi.yeonni]

Thank you SYO506, I appreciate you and your comments and support always :))) sending you all my live

[@youarethebeloved]

Thanks so much for making this video! I'm Chinese-American and 3 years into my BA in psyc. My goal is to promote mental health not only within Asian-American communities but also Asian communities abroad (specifically Korea+Japan who have lotsss of stuff going on there in terms of mental health but don't have much room for mental health work ☹️). I came across your channel/this video because I'm trying to learn as much as possible about it all and wanted to just say thanks for the loonggg video I watched the whole thing and really appreciate all the things you shared. I'll definitely look into the project tea that you mentioned. Could you make some more detailed videos about your journey in psychology? (maybe talking about if you have done any research or anything, or maybe there are things you notice are more effective or less effective with asian clients?) Anything would be appreciated! And thanks in advance!

[@excuseme1543]

thank you so much for sharing your story. love your videos

[@ras-negusbloomfield8145]

🤯🤯🤯🤯.....🤦🏾‍♂️I can't help but to admire how Gorgeous she is🥰 💯% STUNNING‼

[@ellona3645]

I can totally relate to this!! I live in Switzerland and at college I was the only Asian. . . It was hard for me, I felt like I didn't fit in.

[@josephwilliams830]

Your an inspiration to other Asian American Women therapist.

[@terrakim218]

Thank you for sharing your story, so beautiful!

[@hi.yeonni]

Thank you so much for watching and listening!

[@mariee_e]

I’ve found so much community for mental health on Instagram. Try @asianmentalhealthcollective and @bareivy and check their following. There are so many online connections available when it feels like you’re alone right now. Also I’ve seen mostly Chinese therapists too! Get you. And thank you for being here!!!

[@jadewang3597]

Glad to find a channel about mental health or social work from an Asian perspective as I am studying MSW and now intern in a mental health setting in Australia. I am wondering the possibility to pursue a career in mental health since i am concerned about whether English as second language could be an issue... Actually I have similar feelings nust like you to please others just to gind acceptance and belonging but i find out not necessary as i am what i am, i am better in lots aspects than local person

[@CriticalHealingMoment]

thank your for sharing your story and underrepresentation is one of the reasons why i've started my youtube channel as well. i'm coming from a different perspective as a vietnamese american and i think it's super important for representation of the diverse experiences in the asian american community. i'm working on building out more video topics, i would love to share my own story using the questions you answered if that's okay? i thought they were great questions and found myself taking a different perspective on them.

[@hi.yeonni]

It would be my honor! GO for it!! Thanks for your support, and best of luck with your KZbin journey! ^^*

[@CriticalHealingMoment]

@@hi.yeonni just want to provide my update that i just posted the video today! thanks for the inspiration :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqObmKp-eKplkM0

[@julieleejoohyungee]

I was able to relate to your feeling of wanting to belong...

[@hi.yeonni]

I’m happy to hear that :) thank you for listening in and sending you positive vibes ^^*

[@pedrosoledad3141]

I am Chinese American and I am training as a Psychotherapist. Do you think people are open to receiving service from a member of the minority? Honestly, part of me feel insecure about me race, and I wondering if people would prefer white female therapists instead of some Asian man.

[@hi.yeonni]

I’ve definitely questioned this a lot while working, and at the end of the day I realized its so different depending on each asian or asian-american client I come across. Some of my best supervisors have let me know that when working with Asians/asian-Americans, I should remember to be transparent with the client and their wishes and remember to utilize proper supervision to manage potential counter-transference. I also feel that insecuriuty about my race at times, and its definitely going to be a life-long process, but I feel secure knowing that at least in the field of social work I will and should always have proper supervision. So hopefully through that supervision I can work out potential countertransference that could occur :) I believe it could be a challenge but also an amazing growing opportunity for not only the client but also the therapist :) I hope this was helpful!

[@MartellThaCool]

Such a beautiful woman

[@am-zj4mq]

questionn: does having a mental health issue that isn’t a dissociative disorder and for example, it’s like depression not make you held accountable for your bad actions or does that automatically give you some sort of pass for the people around you to deal with your bad behaviour?

[@bdotttttt]

your videos about social work are super informative. I wanted to ask if you ever had a hard time retaining the information during your undergrad? I’ll be graduating next spring and hope to pursue a master’s in social work but it seems like I am having a hard time applying myself to my current classes. If you have any insight or advice, that would be great.

[@hi.yeonni]

Hi there! I’m glad they’re informative :) Mm to answer your question, I definitely felt like in some classes I don’t even remember what I learned about haha If anything, in grad school I felt a lot more invested in my classes and the curriculum. I believe this is because I chose to attend 2 more years of school in a field that I was passionate about, and because I knew that knowing more, understanding more meant I could help out clients more, I felt even more motivated in classes! I feel like undergrad taught me Moe of work ethics and basic psych content, but grad school was where I really retained more information :) best of luck!

[@bdotttttt]

hiyeonni I agree with some classes are merely filler classes than substantial. Thank you for responding! Hope you’re doing well during this weird time!

[@koreansongsmyanmartrans5975]

It'd be better if u put English subtitles for every videos of yrs.Coz I am interested abt yr topics but I can't catch up well

[@damanmcdowell3320]

Really good video :) do have the song name at the and it so relaxing xd

[@hi.yeonni]

It’s in the description! And thanks for watching, i appreciate it ^^*

[@mateorodriguezquezada2431]

"Nothing is more beautiful than a person who is secure in the unique way god made you." "The most important thing a girl can wear is happiness and that's what makes you pretty."

[@plinyelder8156]

Oh lord, sounds like an immigrant story. Doesn’t matter where you move, you end up feeling like this.

[@Jack-cm5ch]

Do you have a boyfriend :o