Where I Belong

<b>An essential resource that addresses the unique experiences of trauma healing and mental health in Asian and Asian American communities.</b><br><br>Coauthors Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon are professional therapists who witnessed firsthand how mental health issues often went unaddressed not only in their own immigrant families but in Asian and Asian American communities. <i>Where I Belong </i>shows us how the cycle of trauma can play out in our relationships placing Asian American experiences front and center to help us process and heal from racial and intergenerational trauma.<br>    This book validates our experiences and helps us understand how they fit into the broader context of our family history and the trauma experienced by previous generations. Lee and Yoon draw on their own stories as well as those of a diverse segment of the Asian diaspora to help us feel seen and connected to our wider community. They provide essential therapeutic tools reflection questions journal prompts and grounding exercises to empower readers to identify their strengths and resilience across generations and to embrace the beauty and fullness of their own identity and culture. Filled with relatable anecdotes and tangible exercises for self exploration <i>Where I Belong</i> is a loving exploration of Asian American identity that is rooted in community and compassion. This book allows us all to feel less alone as we redefine who we are as Asians and Americans.” <br> <b>— Jenny T. Wang founder of Asians for Mental Health and author of <i>Permission to Come Home</i></b><br>  <br> “<i>Where I Belong</i> by Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon is a much-needed book for our AAPI communities during this moment of racial reckoning. Although capturing our communities' diversity and addressing our racial trauma are difficult tasks they have done so with amazing sensitivity insight and expertise. The book highlights the ethnic particularities of our mental health issues well especially by sharing the voices of individuals. Even more significantly the authors detail the unique AAPI cultural wealth and community assets that can bring health and wholeness. <i>Where I Belong</i> has contributed to my own journey of healing and hope and I know it can assist others just as deeply.”<br> <b>— Russell M Jeung Professor of Asian American Studies San Francisco State University and cofounder of Stop AAPI Hate</b><br>  <br> “This book explores what it means to be Asian American and Lee and Yoon break down complex histories and precise experiences with so much care and compassion. With stories journal prompts and grounding exercises you know you are in good hands while you go on this journey to understand heal from and even celebrate the fullness of your lived experience. I’m certain this book will be a returning resource for many.”<br> <b>—Sahaj Kaur Kohli Founder of Brown Girl Therapy and author of <i>But What Will People Say?</i></b><br>  <br> With compassion and warmth Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon have taken their experiences as professional therapists to create an essential resource for anyone exploring their Asian American identity and wondering how therapy might help in that journey. Weaving history personal anecdotes journal prompts and reflection questions <i>Where I Belong </i>gives readers the necessary language to name—and reclaim—their experiences. An inclusive grounding work that will help countless people in search of what it means to be Asian in America.<br> <b>—Kat Chow author of <i>Seeing Ghosts</i></b><br>  <br> “With <i>Where I Belong</i> Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon bring years of expertise to a groundbreaking message. As Asian Americans and diaspora our experience of mental health and belonging is often seen as an afterthought and discussions of healing in popular media are often framed through an individualistic Western lens that neglects our unique heritage. Within the powerful shared stories in this book <i>Where I Belong</i> does an incredible job navigating the subtle nuances of what it means to heal through the lens of Asian identity and offers transformative exercises that cultivate resilience inner strength and deeper self-compassion. If you want to heal to grow or to support your loved ones <i>Where I Belong</i> is a MUST READ.”<br> <b>—John Wang Host of The Big Asian Energy show</b><br>  <br> “One of the most terrifying and isolating aspects of feeling like you don’t belong is the ineffableness: Asian Americans even in all our diversity often lack the words to describe how it hurts why we feel this way the ways our loneliness manifests and — most importantly — how we can change things. <i>Where I Belong</i> is an entire book that puts words to this too-often invisible pain in astute and kind ways that take into account the latest scientific studies and the particularities of Asian American family dynamics and cultural norms. Many among the diaspora will appreciate the book’s tone: Never patronizing or cloying authors Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon provide diverse examples clarifying explanations and actionable steps that make you feel in control of your future happiness.” <br> <b>—Connie Wang author of <i>Oh My Mother!</i></b> <b>Soo Jin Lee LMFT</b> is a licensed marriage and family therapist executive director of Yellow Chair Collective and cofounder of Entwine Community. As a previously undocumented Asian immigrant who struggled to access mental healthcare she brings a unique perspective to her work. Lee has a degree in fine arts and creativity plays an essential role in her personal and therapeutic process. When she's not spending quality time with her family she can often be found exploring nature on a hiking trail or offering expert guidance in psychotherapy to individuals and groups alike.<br><br><b>Linda Yoon LCSW</b> is a licensed therapist and social worker who has dedicated her career to helping people along their healing journey find a sense of belonging. As a survivor of C-PTSD and having received a late adult diagnosis of ADHD Linda is passionate about serving Asian American communities survivors of violence and those who are neurodivergent. Growing up Linda was drawn to the color yellow which symbolizes resilience joy and hope. This deep personal connection inspired her to name her founding practice Yellow Chair Collective. She is also a cofounder of Entwine Community a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Asian and Asian American mental health. Linda currently resides in Los Angeles with her spouse Mathew and her furry companion Mini who has been by her side for eighteen years.