Dr. Brooke Ferragamo is not a member of the South Asian community himself, but he has dedicated years to training in work with members of the South Asian and Middle Eastern communities. Dr. Navneet Kaur identifies as a member of the South Asian community, and is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi. Our team members have worked with many South Asian and Middle Eastern adults and adolescents in office and school-based settings. Specifically, we have experience working with teens who are growing up in the U.S. with parents or close family members who grew up overseas and had a different upbringing. Navigating these differences can be a big challenge, but we enjoy helping young people find a way to embrace and value their cultural heritage as they develop into their own, unique selves. On this page, you can learn more about therapy services provided for South Asian and Middle Eastern communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Why Participate in Therapy?

As culturally informed therapists, we consider the way that family, friends, hometown, religion, and communities all come together to make us who we are. For our South Asian and Middle Eastern friends and neighbors, we often recommend psychotherapy for support with navigating the complexities of interacting with a world that assumes certain things about them, holds bias, or may even directly discriminates against them. We also work alongside young people with parents from abroad who had different upbringings, leaving the teens feeling misunderstood by their parents. In therapy, we may discuss:

• Feelings of guilt or shame. 

• Anger. 

• Isolation or disconnection. 

• Depression.

• Anxiety. 

• Low self-esteem. 

• Perfectionism and imposter syndrome. 

• Navigating family and community expectations. 

• Developing a solid identity. 

• Starting to feel more like you belong.

What Happens During Therapy?

Therapy is not how it’s depicted in movies and on television. It helps to think of therapy sessions as just a safe space talk. In the confidential, nonjudgmental space of therapy, you can be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings. As you talk, your therapist may ask you questions, work with you to challenge harmful beliefs, and generally develop strategies to lead a more satisfying life. If you have specific goals, we can work together to build toward your desired results. For some, therapy is short-term and goal oriented. Others may need to continue working with a therapist long-term to address ongoing concerns or navigate difficult situations. During your intake session, we’ll discuss your goals and how we will approach achieving them at future therapy sessions.

Reach Out to Talk Soon

Dr. Ferragamo and his team know therapy may seem like a big step, and it may not be something embraced by your community. We can definitely understand that. However, our experienced team members know how much therapy helps people navigate their daily lives with a greater sense of peace and stability. If you’re ready to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing drbrooke@emerginginsightspsych.com, calling (415) 794-4377, or filling out our contact form.