At Shanti Psychotherapy, we welcome clients who identify as South Asian, East Asian, White, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Middle Eastern, Bi-racial, LGBTQ2S+ and more. Culturally attuned mental health therapy allows us to honour the diversity within these diasporas. These communities share a variety of languages, religions, traditions, and family values. Their cultural identities, backgrounds, upbringings, and experiences shape diverse worldviews. Currently, we offer in-person and virtual therapy in Ontario and virtual therapy to those in Alberta and British Columbia.
Psychotherapist Pavna Sodhi studied how members of immigrant and BIPOC communities access mental health therapy less frequently than non-immigrants. Common barriers include stigma, language and cost. Some believe that struggles such as anxiety, depression, or family conflict should stay within the family. Others believe seeking therapy is a sign of personal failure. This leaves many individuals unsupported and carrying their struggles in silence. Many mask and hide their symptoms and experience debilitating trauma for years. Only those with immense inner strength seek support and treatment. That’s where multilingual and culturally informed mental health therapy becomes essential.
How We Can Help With Culturally Attuned Mental Health Therapy
A therapist who understands your culture can acknowledge your experiences without judgment. This cultural familiarity enables them to distinguish mental illness symptoms from everyday cultural expressions and values, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. They can also integrate your mental healthcare with resources available in your cultural community. Your pathways to healing can remain close to traditions you are familiar with. They can help you manage contradictions that arise from wanting to stay close to your family while exploring avenues for personal growth and independence. Finally, if English is your second language, a therapist who speaks your language can provide a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can be heard and understood.
We have a large group of therapists from diverse backgrounds who speak multiple languages. Many share the experience of arriving in Canada as international students and immigrants or growing up in first- or second-generation immigrant families. We understand your lived experiences and can offer a safe space for you to be heard and understood. We have acquired years of specialization in issues that distinctively impact BIPOC, immigrant and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Here are some examples.
Parent-Child Relationships
First-generation immigrants work hard so their children can seize opportunities they themselves never had to succeed in life. Inadvertently, they can put immense pressure on children to excel academically and professionally. Parent-child relationships can become strained when traditional values clash with the diverse perspectives children encounter in everyday Canadian life. Conflicts can arise over simple issues like clothing styles and self-expression. And then there are bigger matters such as social lives, careers and the choice of life partners. Many children of immigrants feel tormented by complying with family expectations and having little agency over their lives. Some grow up feeling guilty, ashamed, and not good enough. These feelings lead to unhealthy behaviour patterns that impact their adulthood. Therapy is essential and can effectively bridge the gap between children and their parents. Both parties need to feel understood and supported to heal and strengthen bonds.
Intergenerational Trauma and Attachment Wounds
Many individuals carry the emotional burdens of their parents and transfer this inherited pain to their children. Breaking the cycle of Intergenerational trauma is a significant focus of our culturally attuned mental health therapy practices. Patterns of silence, high expectations and emotional suppression can affect a person’s self-worth, relationships and overall well-being. Healing from intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds is necessary to build healthier connections with ourselves and our families. More importantly, it helps us raise healthier future generations and build a community rooted in emotional freedom, resilience and d
eeper relational bonds.
Joint Families
Multigenerational and multi-constellation families are central to many immigrant cultures. Families are the village they rely on to raise children and care for the elderly and infirm. However, navigating relationships within joint families and in-laws can be challenging because the concept of boundaries can differ significantly from that in Western contexts. The high expectations placed on women who hold down careers while raising children and maintaining the household can create burdens that lead to disharmony in the “village.” Therapy can help build healthy boundaries while respecting family connections and recognizing the immense benefits of a close-knit family.
LGBTQ2S+ Issues
Acceptance of same sex relationships, marriage and gender fluidity remains a significant challenge in many BIPOC and immigrant cultures, with widespread stigma and discrimination still present. We provide affirming therapy for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals from these communities who struggle with the choices of remaining closeted or becoming estranged and isolated from a family that they love. Therapy can help you process these challenges in a culturally sensitive and supportive way.
Neurodivergence
Cultural stereotypes, such as the “model minority” myth, perpetuate beliefs that children from some BIPOC and immigrant cultures always excel in school with the potential to graduate into high-paying careers in medicine, finance, engineering and law. Such achievements carry significant weight and serve as markers of family pride and status in the community. For neurodivergent individuals, these factors become crushing burdens because they leave little room for healthy discussions and acceptance about differences, neurodivergence and vulnerability.
Discrimination and Racism
It is common knowledge how individuals from BIPOC and immigrant communities face unique challenges related to workplace bullying, discrimination and the experience of being a minority in professional and social settings. Many struggle with microaggressions, racism and the pressure to conform to Western workplace norms while wanting to retain their cultural identity. The model minority myth can also create unrealistic expectations, making it difficult to seek support or advocate for fair treatment. Our therapists can help you process these experiences, build confidence in setting boundaries, and develop strategies to navigate systemic challenges while maintaining your sense of self.
Straddling Cultures
Code-switching, the act of constantly adjusting language, behaviour, or identity to fit into different cultural or social settings, can be exhausting and take a toll on self-esteem and mental well-being. Many immigrants feel pressured to manage multiple identities at work, at home, and in social circles. This leads to feelings of disconnection or inauthenticity. Therapy can help strengthen self-identity, reduce the need for survival strategies such as code-switching, and foster greater confidence in embracing one’s whole, authentic self.
Shanti Psychotherapy’s History & Commitment
Shanti Psychotherapy’s roots trace back to a deep commitment to serving the South Asian diaspora. Founder, Angie Agrawal Holstein, a first-generation South Asian and in her 25-year career in mental health services, saw how difficult it was for many in the community to find culturally attuned mental health therapy. She created a space where South Asians could feel truly understood and supported. Over time, she recognized that the experiences of immigrant South Asians echoed similar challenges to East Asians, Black, Indigenous and other communities. She transformed the organization into one of the first to offer culturally attuned mental health care to families, children, couples, students/international students and individuals.
Book a Consultation
If you’re struggling with mental health challenges, family stress or cultural identity issues, we are here to help. Therapy is a safe place where you can talk about what’s
on your mind, deal with challenging patterns or mental illness without judgment. We invite you to book a free 20-minute consultation to learn how we can provide culturally attuned mental health care to empower and support you in your journey to wellness.
