About the Episode:
In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Dr. Ummul Kathawalla, a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, and researcher who specializes in culturally informed mental health care—and she’s here to explain what that means, why it matters for our community, and how it can transform the way we think about healing.
This episode also includes a real-time demonstration of a culturally informed therapy session, offering listeners practical insight into what this approach feels like.
Key Themes Include:
- The impact of cultural context on mental health and identity.
- The limitations and blind spots of traditional therapy models for minority clients.
- How culturally attuned care can break cycles of shame and silence in families and communities.
- Practical advice for finding and assessing a culturally competent therapist.
- A live mini-therapy session around navigating guilt, boundaries and generational expectations.
Episode Breakdown:
00:34 – Why Culturally Informed Therapy?
The host sets up the episode’s focus:what therapy could look like if it truly recognized our lived experiences, and introduces Dr. Ummul Kathawalla.
01:51 – Meet Dr. Ummul Kathawalla
Dr. Kathawalla’s credentials, background, and her work in culturally informed mental health care are introduced.
10:03 – Applied Ethnic Minority Psychology
Defining the field, Dr. Kathawalla explains how research on discrimination, stress, and culture is translated into real-world interventions for minority communities.
11:28 – What is Culture? Surface vs. Deep Culture
A discussion on the difference between surface culture (holidays, language) and deep culture (values, beliefs, unspoken norms).
12:36 – Why Cultural Context Matters in Therapy
Dr. Kathawalla explains why practitioners must consider each client’s unique cultural background and how it shapes their mental health.
14:22 – Culturally Informed Care vs. Traditional Therapy
Contrasts culturally informed care (tailored, client-centered) with traditional models (one-size-fits-all, manualized), and discusses the importance of adaptability.
16:34 – Blind Spots in Traditional Therapy
Examples of how traditional therapy can pathologize cultural strengths or miss the real source of a client’s struggles, such as microaggressions.
18:23 – The Asian Community: Stigma & Nuances
Explores intergenerational expectations, bicultural stress, and how cultural beliefs can discourage seeking help.
21:39 – Finding a Culturally Competent Therapist
Practical advice for finding a therapist who is a good cultural fit, including what questions to ask and how to assess fit over several sessions.
27:10 – Real-Time Mini Therapy Demonstration
A real-time, mini culturally informed therapy session: Lindsay shares her struggle with boundaries, guilt, and career vs. family expectations, and Dr. Kathawalla models a non-judgmental, listening-centered approach.
45:55 – What Does Healing Look Like?
Dr. Kathawalla describes healing as coherence between identity and values, being comfortable with nuance, and practicing self-compassion.
49:35 – Breaking Generational Cycles
How culturally informed care can disrupt cycles of silence and shame, and help future generations live more authentically.
53:30 – Resources & Closing
Dr. Kathawalla shares how listeners can connect with her, her current projects, and the host reflects on the power of culturally attuned therapy.
Find Dr. Kathawalla at:
www.kirampsychology.com
IG: @kirampsychologyTo subscribe to the weekly newsletter Courage Class Notes:https://dr-lindsay-kwock-hu.kit.com/48d630a26b
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Website: www.drlindsaykwockhu.com/podcast/
Music by DayNigthMorning from Pixabay
49 mins
Sep 3 202547 mins