BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: INDIAN IMMIGRANTS AND MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY IN THE US by Kavya Maddula

Background on the HB1 Process

kmaddula — 2025-04-19 19:34:11 UTC

Like my interviewee stated — just having background information on this topic (the H1B process) will alleviate their stress when attending therapy by helping them feel more understood and validated without needing to constantly explain or justify their experiences. It builds immediate trust and rapport when a therapist already has insight into the visa-related anxieties, the pressure to maintain legal status, and the emotional toll it takes on individuals and families. This foundational knowledge allows therapy to focus more on healing rather than educating the therapist.

Interview

kmaddula — 2025-04-19 19:34:44 UTC

kmaddula — 2025-04-19 19:35:49 UTC

The demographic I will cover in this project will be Indian immigrants that moved to the United States. I chose this particular topic because it reflects both my personal and cultural background, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the mental health challenges that can arise from immigration, acculturation, and cultural stigma. Despite the growing Indian population in the U.S., mental health continues to be a taboo subject in many Indian households, and seeking therapy is often misunderstood or discouraged. Through this project, I hope to shed light on the unique struggles Indian immigrants face, highlight the gaps in culturally competent care, and offer insights that can help counselors provide culturally adapted care.

Important Considerations in Counseling Asian Indians

kmaddula — 2025-04-19 19:37:55 UTC

kmaddula — 2025-04-19 21:07:48 UTC

Immigrant Mental Health

kmaddula — 2025-04-19 21:09:56 UTC

kmaddula — 2025-04-20 19:13:47 UTC

This article talks about the emotional and psychological challenges that immigrants and refugees often face, especially when adjusting to a completely new culture. It really stood out to me how Sandhu emphasized that even though many immigrants are resilient, they still deal with things like loneliness, loss of identity, language barriers, and fear of discrimination — all of which can seriously affect their mental health.