Tony’s Vietnamese mom didn't talk much about her father, a Black American soldier who fought in the Vietnam War but whom she never really knew. So Tony decided to find him. And marriage and family therapist Thien Pham who works with adult children of Amerasians and refugees speaks with Juleyka about respecting our parents’ trauma while trying to understand our family history, and finding peace when we don’t have answers.

Featured Expert: 

Thien Pam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California specializing in working with 1.5 – 2nd generation immigrants on issues such as anxiety, work stress, perinatal mental health and cultural identity issues. Through her work, she supports clients in exploring racial history, country of origin, intergenerational dynamics/trauma(s) as they navigate their relationships. On a personal level: Thien was born in Vietnam and raised by a single mom in East Side San Jose, which allows her to empathize with the internal work and journeys of many of her first-gen clients. Learn more about Thien here.

If you loved this episode, listen to Mom is Upset About Her Gift (Hint: It’s Not About the Gift) and Should She Confront a Family Secret?

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