At Shanti Psychotherapy, we approach South Asian Mental Health Therapy by honouring the rich diversity within the diaspora. South Asians are not all the same. The community is diverse, with many languages, religions, traditions, and family values. Furthermore, their experiences as international students, immigrants and children of immigrants are just as unique. This is why culturally relevant mental health therapy is so important. It should feel supportive, safe and relevant to your cultural nuances, shared affinities and unique stories.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. However, many South Asians find it difficult to talk about their mental health. Some believe that struggles like anxiety, depression, or family conflict should stay within the family. Others believe seeking therapy is a sign of personal failure. Mental health care is just like any other medical care. With the right support, things get better.
How We Can Help With South Asian Mental Health Therapy
We have a large group of therapists from diverse South Asian backgrounds who speak multiple languages. Many share the experience of arriving in Canada as students and immigrants or growing up first-generation. This means you have a good chance of working with a therapist who understands your lived experience. We offer a safe space for you to feel heard and understood. We have acquired years of specialization in South Asian mental health therapy and the distinctive needs of this community. Here are the types of issues we can help you with.
Parent-Child Relationships
First-generation immigrants work hard so their children can seize opportunities to succeed in life. Inadvertently, they can put immense pressure on children to succeed academically and in their careers. The parent-child relationship can become further strained as traditional values clash with the different perspectives the children encounter in everyday Canadian life. Conflicts can arise over simple issues like clothing styles and self-expression and bigger matters such as social lives, careers, and choice of life partners.
Many young South Asians feel tormented by the choice between complying with family expectations and having 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 be very effective in bridging the gap between children and their parents so both feel understood and supported.
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 large focus of our South Asian 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 highly 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 deeper relational bonds.
Joint Families
Multigenerational and multi-constellation families are central to South Asian culture. Families represent the village that South Asians rely upon to raise children and care for the elderly and infirm. However, navigating relationships within joint families and in-laws can be a quagmire because the concept of boundaries is vastly different in South Asian families compared to their Western counterparts. The high expectations put on women who hold down careers while raising children and maintaining the household can create burdens that create disharmony in the “village.”
Therapy can help create healthy boundaries while respecting family connections and recognizing the immense benefits of a close-knit family.
LGBTQIA+ Issues
Acceptance of homosexuality, same-sex marriage and gender fluidity remains a significant challenge in most South Asian cultures, with widespread stigma and discrimination still present. We provide affirming therapy for South Asian 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals 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.
Discrimination and Racism
South Asians often 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 help South Asians process these experiences, build confidence in setting boundaries, and develop strategies to navigate systemic challenges while maintaining their 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 South Asians feel pressured to navigate multiple identities—at work, with family, or in social circles. This leads to feelings of disconnection or inauthenticity. Therapy can help strengthen self-identity, reduce the need for survival strategies like code-switching, and foster a deeper sense of confidence in embracing one’s full, authentic self.
Our Commitment to South Asian Mental Health
Shanti Psychotherapy was created with a deep commitment to serving the South Asian diaspora. Founder, Angie Agrawal Holstein, a first-generation South Asian, saw how difficult it was for many in the community to find culturally attuned therapy. She created a space where South Asians could feel truly understood and supported. Today, we are proud to be one of the first organizations to offer specialized care tailored to the needs of South Asian individuals, couples, and families.
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 without judgment. We invite you to book a free 20-minute consultation to learn how we can provide culturally sensitive care to empower and support you in your journey to wellness.
