How I’m Breaking Intergenerational Trauma As A Vietnamese American Therapist
As a Vietnamese American, and the eldest daughter of immigrants, my journey to heal from intergenerational trauma has been deeply personal, shaped by both my own experiences and my professional pursuits. Growing up in Little Saigon, California, I was immersed in a community marked by resilience and struggle, where the scars of war and displacement were ever-present reminders of our shared heritage. From a young age, I grappled with the confusions of cultural identity and familial expectations, and was lost navigating the delicate balance between my heritage and American society around me.
In my childhood home, expressions of love often took on different forms than those portrayed in mainstream media. While I yearned for the overt affection and soft parenting I saw depicted on T.V., I was used to a household where love was communicated through more subtle gestures amidst the backdrop of heated arguments and unspoken tensions. This stark contrast between cultural norms left me feeling torn between two worlds, struggling to reconcile the expectations placed upon me by my Vietnamese heritage with the ideals of individualism and self-expression prevalent in Western society.
Throughout my educational journey, I encountered numerous challenges as I pursued my passion for social work. From switching my college major from Computer Science to Sociology to declaring my intention to pursue graduate studies in Social Work, each step forward was met with resistance and apprehension from my parents. Confronted with their expectations of a conventional career path and financial stability, I grappled with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, questioning whether my chosen path aligned with the values instilled in me by my upbringing.
Yet, amidst the tension and discord, I found strength in the resilience of my community and the shared experiences of my fellow Vietnamese Americans. Many of us have navigated similar paths, striving to balance our individual aspirations with the deep-seated obligation to honor our families and ancestors. We understand the weight of sacrifice and the complexity of forging our own identities in the face of cultural expectations and societal pressures.
I believe that a lot of our values as Vietnamese Americans, and even for other communities displaced by conflict and war, come from a place of survival and hypervigilance. We look out for each other because we only have each other.
My parent’s entire generation was pretty much a generation of refugees who witnessed the trauma of war firsthand. I don’t think, for many of them, this hypervigilance was ever addressed or resolved. Many have undiagnosed PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a multitude of other mental health issues resulting from wartime experiences and resettlement. This trauma that is then passed down from generation to generation can manifest through a variety of mechanisms, including unresolved grief, cultural stigma, and familial patterns of behavior. For second and subsequent generations of Vietnamese Americans, our intergenerational trauma can present itself through cultural disconnection, identity struggles, and inherited psychological wounds. It’s transmitted through family narratives, behaviors, and coping mechanisms, and influences our sense of self, relationships, and worldview. Healing from intergenerational trauma is a complex and multifaceted process that involves self-awareness, self-compassion, and intentional healing practices.
Here are 7 ways to support healing intergenerational trauma within Asian communities:
Acknowledging & Validating The Pain and Suffering Of Past Generations: This process involves recognizing the experiences of our ancestors, including the hardships they endured during war, displacement, and resettlement. By honoring their struggles and acknowledging the impact of historical trauma on our families and communities, we validate the validity of their experiences and the depth of their pain. This validation creates space for healing and allows us to confront the legacy of trauma with compassion, empathy, and resilience, paving the way for healing and collective wellbeing.
Fostering Intergenerational Communication & Understanding: This involves creating open and safe spaces for dialogue between different generations, where experiences, emotions, and perspectives can be shared and validated. By opening up this dialogue, intergenerational bonds can be strengthened, fostering healing, connection, and a sense of shared identity across generations.
Cultural Reconnection: This involves reclaiming and revitalizing cultural practices, traditions, and values that may have been disrupted or lost due to the trauma of war and migration. This allows us to reconnect with our roots, language, customs, and heritage, which can foster a sense of belonging, identity, and pride. By embracing and celebrating our cultural heritage, we can draw strength, resilience, and healing from the rich tapestry of our ancestry.
Community Support: This involves coming together as a collective to provide mutual aid, solidarity, and understanding to those who have been affected by trauma. Through community support networks, we can access resources, share experiences, and receive emotional and practical assistance in navigating the challenges of healing and recovery.
Self-care Practices: Self-care practices involve prioritizing our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing through activities that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and self-reflection. Examples of self-care practices can include meditation, exercise, spending time in nature, journaling, engaging in creative pursuits, and seeking out culturally relevant healing modalities such as acupuncture or traditional medicine.
Combating Mental Health Stigma: This involves challenging negative stereotypes, promoting education and awareness about mental health, and fostering open conversations about mental illness. By sharing personal stories, advocating for equal access to mental health resources, and supporting those who are struggling, we can break down barriers and create a culture of acceptance, understanding, and support. Additionally, addressing cultural beliefs and attitudes surrounding mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behavior. Through collaborative efforts, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive community where everyone feels empowered to prioritize their mental health and seek the support they need.
Accessing Culturally Responsive Mental Health Resources: This involves seeking out mental health professionals who understand the cultural nuances and historical context of our experiences, and who can provide culturally competent care. Additionally, it means utilizing community-based organizations and resources that offer culturally specific services, such as therapy groups, support networks, and educational workshops tailored to the needs of our communities.
Remember that healing from intergenerational trauma is a journey, and that your progress might be nonlinear. This stuff is hard!
Be patient and compassionate with yourself, and seek support when needed. Each step you take towards healing contributes to breaking the cycle of trauma and creating a brighter future for yourself and for future generations.
- Written by Jammie Pham, LSWAIC
