Beyond the Couch
Beyond the Couch is a podcast exploring the intersection of Asian Pacific Islander South Asian American (APISA) identity and mental health. Hosted by three therapists, Diana Liao, LMHC, Samantha Waldman, LMHC, and Christie Kim, LMHC, our mission is to demystify therapy and uplift stories from our community. Join us every Wednesday as we delve into essential topics from identity and perfectionism to courageous stories of healing and collective care with fellow therapists, experts, and community members.
Beyond the Couch is a proud initiative of Bridges Mental Health, is a stigma-free hub for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and South Asian Americans (APISA) to discuss, navigate, and seek mental health care. Find a therapist, join our therapist community, and follow us on Instagram @bridgesmentalhealth.
Beyond the Couch
Queering Identity Work Through Pleasure & Storytelling with Veronica Chin Hing-Michaluk
This week, Christie is joined by Veronica Chin Hing-Michaluk who brings in their own lived experience to illustrate a compassionate exploration of queer identity, shame, and healing from disconnection. Veronica discusses how they work in collaboration with clients to restore connection, understand intergenerational patterns, identify systems of oppression, and create space for collective healing. Veronica helps us explore the transformative potential of play and pleasure amidst pain and oppression, highlighting how laughter and solidarity are crucial for survival. Our conversation touches on the financial aspects of the therapeutic relationship, decolonizing thought and therapy practices, feeling "queer enough", and modern dating.
From Veronica (they/them): Some fixed aspects of Self include grounding in a Black Indigenous Puerto Rican Chinese-Jamaican upbringing with a diverse ancestral plane; reconnecting to BIPOC, queer identity in young adulthood; connecting more deeply to nonbinary indigenous identity in adulthood; and reflecting anti-oppressive healing frameworks in my own communities to help dismantle the stats on mental health outcomes. I’ve practiced as a fully-licensed NYS mental health counselor since 2019, and will be celebrating 5 years running my private practice, VNC Therapy New York, in the Fall.
Connect with Veronica:
- www.vnctherapy.com
- vnctherapy@gmail.com
- My Intimacy card deck is available a resource for anyone wanting freebies: www.vnctherapy.com/intimacy
Mentioned in this episode:
Bridges Mental Health connects Asian, Pacific Islander, South Asian Americans (APISA) with culturally responsive mental health professionals and resources. We hope to make mental health care more accessible and approachable across the Asian diaspora.
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Write to us with comments & questions, we'd love to hear from you.
@bridgesmentalhealth
bridgesmentalhealthnyc@gmail.com
buymeacoffee.com/bridgesmh