Find the 4 Best Creative, Trauma-Informed, and Culturally Attuned Asian Therapists in Los Angeles
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. For many Asians and Asian Americans, we want to feel heard and talk about feelings, but sometimes it's really hard to use words to articulate the experience. Especially for those who grew up with cultural norms that prize emotional restraint, "not talking back, not asking too much about deep feelings," folks who are new to speaking English, or anyone who feels uneasy opening up in "talk-only" spaces, traditional verbal therapy can feel alienating. The clinicians who truly make a difference for these communities combine four ingredients: creative, trauma-informed methods, deep cultural attunement, and language access. Below, we explain why these are essential and spotlight four clinicians in Los Angeles whose practices embody culturally attuned and relevant mental health services, especially the incredible team at Creative Hearts Collaborative.
Why Creative, Trauma-Informed, and Culturally Attuned Care Matters
1. Art and expressive therapies help when words don’t.
Research shows that visual art therapy and other expressive arts interventions deepen access to emotions, reduce distress, and serve as a non-threatening way for people who aren’t comfortable with direct verbal disclosure. Systematic reviews have found that art therapy helps with symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and resilience among trauma survivors. For example, a review in The Arts in Psychotherapy found strong evidence that structured art-therapy interventions reduce anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improve self-esteem.
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2. Trauma-informed approaches reduce re-traumatization and kindle safety.
Trauma-informed care means being deliberate about pacing, consent, stability, and relational safety. Studies (e.g., in Journal of Trauma & Dissociation) show that when therapy emphasizes safety and client control—especially in creative modalities—the physiological stress response is lessened, and clients are more willing to engage. More engagement and safety will more likely ensure more positive outcomes. Therapy that emphasizes safety, consent, pacing, and stabilization (before deep processing) prevents re-traumatization. This is especially important in creative settings: imagery, visual media, and metaphor. These can be powerful; however, they can also trigger trauma responses if not handled with care.
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3. Cultural and language attunement improves access, trust, and outcomes.
Research into Asian American mental health shows that language barriers, cultural stigma about emotional expression, and lack of clinician cultural humility contribute to under-utilization of therapy and early dropout. Studies in Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology show that clients are more likely to begin therapy, stay in therapy, and benefit when the clinician shares or understands their cultural framework, values, family dynamics, and language. For many Asian/Asian American people, language barriers (not speaking in one’s first language), norms around emotional expression, or concerns about “losing face” can make therapy feel alienating unless the space is explicitly designed to account for those things.
Creative Hearts Collaborative: Asian Therapists in Los Angeles
Creative Hearts Collaborative is one of the standout practices in Los Angeles devoted to integrating creativity, trauma sensitivity, and multilingual/culturally responsive care. Here are four clinicians whose work shows how this looks in practice:
Meet The Therapists
More About Their Work
​​​My Specialties are:
- Depression
- Anxiety & Stress
- Grief & Loss
- Asian and Asian American Experiences
- Relationship Issues
- LGBTQ+ Issues
My style is Person-centered, Cognitive-behavioral, and Collaborative.
I also pull in different modalities where my client(s) and I best see fit, whether we engage purely in talk therapy or dabble in therapeutic art & play!
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My personality is warm, earnest, creative, gentle, and introverted.
"Please, be kind... Especially when we don't know what's going on." - Waymond Wang
​​​My Specialties are:
- Art therapy
- Stress management & Anxiety
- Acculturation & Multiracial Identities
- Mindfulness Practices
- Grief & Loss
- Generational Trauma
My approach to therapy is from a holistic lens by utilizing art therapy practices. I believe that the therapy process is a personal journey that should be tailored to you, the client. ​
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My personality is patient, curious, creative, explorative, and introverted.
A quote that inspires me as a therapist and third-generation Asian-Latina American is, "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were the seeds."
​​​My Specialties are:
- Third Culture Kid
- Immigrant Experiences
- High-functioning Depression & Anxiety
- C-PTSD (complex trauma)
- Perfectionism
- Schizophrenia & Bipolar disorder
- LGBTQ+ Issues
- Couple’s Counseling
- Career Counseling
- Adolescent Counseling
My approach in therapy is to build a strong relationship with my clients in which they can feel emotionally safe, open, and honest with themselves. I help them identify their unmet needs and barriers in meeting those needs, so they can live a life that is aligned with their values and aspirations!
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My personality is warm, curious, humorous, passionate, and extroverted.
“People are only as needy as their unmet needs” — John Bowlby
​​​My Specialties are:
- Depression
- Anxiety & Stress
- Trauma
- Asian and Asian American Experiences
- Relationship Issues
- Acculturation challenges
- Parenting
I speak openly about mental health and the stigma whenever I have the opportunity. I also try to provide positive reinforcement about the value of psychotherapy. I share psychoeducation within my church community, helping others see the importance of mental health.
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My personality is warm, patient, curious, and introverted.
“Meanings are not determined by situations, but we determine ourselves by the meanings we give to situations.”— Alfred Adler
​​​My Specialties are:
- Art Psychotherapy
- Trauma recovery
- LGBTQIA+ Affirmative care
- Identity exploration
- Relationship Issues
- Acculturation challenges
- Neurodivergent support
I love working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Watching my adolescent clients grow and recognizing their inner strengths made me feel fulfilled as a therapist. I use a culturally humble, art-forward approach that integrates creativity and psychotherapy to support authentic self-expression. ​
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My personality is warm, explorative, creative, and introverted.
“Sessions combine art-making and conversation in a collaborative process that emphasizes exploration, healing, and growth..”— Be Staub
How to Choose the Right Asian Therapist in Los Angeles
When you’re looking for someone who gets not just therapy, but you, especially in the intersection of culture, language, expression, and trauma, here are some things to ask or notice:
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Ask explicitly about language & expression modality.
“Do you provide sessions in Mandarin / Cantonese / English?”
“Do you use art or creative methods in therapy when words are lacking?”
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Ask or notice about trauma-informed practices.
How do they attend to safety, pacing, and emotional regulation?
Do they allow silence or nonverbal expression without judgment?
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Ask about cultural experience.
Do they have experience with immigrants, third-culture, multilingual clients?
How do they approach acculturation, intergenerational dynamics, identity, shame?
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Try workshops or intro sessions.
Try 1-3 sessions or a workshop in art therapy, expressive, or creative modalities.
Notice the level of comfort, fitness, and trust working with this therapist.
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Ensure financial accessibility and sustainability.
Check about out-of-network / superbills if needed to ensure accessibility and sustainability for therapy without insurance or outside of your insurance network.