Are you an immigrant family struggling with cultural adjustment issues?

Is your intercultural relationship suffering due to language or culture barriers?

If you can relate to any of the following scenarios, please read on.

• An immigrant of other country who is experiencing adjustment problems alone, or as a part of a couple or family
• Individuals who come from any cultural background and are living in an intercultural relationship or intercultural family and are experiencing problems due to cultural differences
• A parent who is experiencing culture related problems in parenting your children

Cultural Adjustment Problems as a Foreign Resident

Cross cultural counselling can help if you are experiencing any of the problems below:

• you feel withdrawn from Hong Kong society as there is no “common language” (cultural values, norms, communication styles, etc)
• you feel isolated from this society,  and experience constant fear, sadness and anger about the situation that you are in
• you are struggling to adapt to a new culture while also trying to maintain important values and beliefs from your own culture
• you sometimes doubt if coming to Hong Kong was the right decision for you and your family
• you are having a hard time getting beyond the grief and sadness you feel about leaving your homeland

Immigrating to a new country can be a very stressful process. It is important to learn ways to integrate into Hong Kong society in a manner and pace that is comfortable for you, while also retaining the important values and traditions you bring here.

Finding the right support systems and resources is a crucial part of this process. It will help you understand and normalize the process of adjustment, while helping you keep perspective during this challenging time.

As a Chinese marriage and family therapist familiar with Chinese culture and language and overseas work and life experiences, I can help you to feel more in tune with the local culture and norms. I can also assist you to understand and come to terms with Hong Kong culture, without giving up your own values that are important to you. I can help you feel more at peace with living in this city and help you feel more comfortable and happier. Counselling for you as a foreign resident can be an important step in integrating into Hong Kong Society.

If you would like some help with any problems you are experiencing in adjustment, please contact me about my cross cultural counselling services and we can set up a free 10 minute phone consultation.

Intercultural Relationship Challenges

If you are currently in an intercultural relationship or are thinking of making a commitment to one, my intercultural relationship therapy services can help.

Common problems experienced by those in an intercultural relationship:

• you have married someone who does not share your cultural background and you are starting to encounter unexpected problems
• you want to have a better sex life, but talking about sex seems to be a cultural taboo for your partner
• you feel like there is a thick wall between you and your partner, and feel “lost in translation” in terms of language and culture
• you feel caught in the middle between your partner and your extended family
• you feel excluded by your in-laws due to the cultural differences and language barriers

The challenges you face in an intercultural relationship can be great. However, they can also be very rewarding. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I can help you learn to understand each other, and show you how to have your needs met. I can help you learn how to have a rich, happy and fulfilling relationship where you have emotional and sexual intimacy.

My fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin and English can help you communicate more deeply with each other if language barriers exist in your relationship. Through counseling, I can assist you in bridging the gap between cultural differences so you can have a successful relationship.

If you are having relationship problems in your intercultural relationship, please contact me to find out more about my marriage and family counselling services.

Culture Related Problems in Parenting your Children

Moving to a new country can bring with it many challenges in your parenting. You may feel overwhelmed and confused at times and unsure where to turn for help. Individual or family counselling with me can help you resolve the problems you are having parenting your children if you are experiencing any of the problems mentioned below:

• you find that raising your children in your own ethnic tradition is a constant battle, and the distance between you and them seems to be increasing
• you are struggling to connect and help your children adapt to their experience of being “between” cultures
• you are confused and shocked about the differences in the expression of sexuality (for example) in Chinese culture and your own culture and do not know how to talk to your children about it
• you feel worried and helpless in seeing your children being bullied because of their cultural differences

I can help you learn to be more flexible with your parenting skills. I can help you find that delicate balance between teaching your children the values from your culture that are important, while allowing them to assume some values from Hong Kong society.

I can also help your children to benefit from the two cultures that you bring into their lives, and to support them in their adjustment to school and in developing healthy relationships with their peers.

If you would like help with parenting your children, please contact me about my counseling services for a free 10 minute phone consultation.