The Community Services Center’s counseling department is built around a team of talented, dedicated, and compassionate mental health professionals trained and ready to serve Taiwan’s international and multicultural community. In this ongoing series, we visit with our incredible Center psychologists to learn more about their craft — and why they’ve dedicated themselves to a career of caring for others.
If you are interested in starting your counseling journey with the Center, browse our services and counselor bios here. Then, please fill out our counseling intake form online (English | 中文). You can also contact the Center counseling department at wellbeing@communitycenter.org.tw and (02) 2838 4947 with any questions.
Meet Ru-Chi Yang, PhD 楊如琪 博士
- PhD, Counseling Psychology, Gannon University
- MS, Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York
- Visit Ru-Chi’s counselor profile
Why is it important to offer multicultural and bilingual counseling services?
As a child and adolescent psychologist and a play therapist, creating a safe and trusting space for a client is a key factor in a therapeutic relationship, which starts with speaking the child’s and adolescent’s language, both literally and culturally.
When we offer bilingual and culturally sensitive counseling services, children and adolescents can express themselves in a developmentally appropriate and natural way through both play and words. It also allows us to honor their family values, traditions, and emotional world, which are deeply shaped by culture.
Without cultural sensitivity, important themes in counseling can be mis-understood or missed entirely by a mental health professional. Culturally attuned play therapy helps children and adolescents feel seen, heard, and accepted in a therapeutic relationship, which lay the foundation for healing and growth.
What are some special challenges that children and adolescents face in navigating different cultures and new life changes?
Children and adolescents going through cultural transitions or major life changes, such as immigration or relocation, face unique challenges in addition to the language and cultural barriers.
First, the language barriers can make it challenging for them to connect with their peers or succeed in school, and some children even take on adult roles, like translating for their parents. Also, there’s the identity struggle, especially for the adolescents. They’re trying to figure out who they are while balancing two or more cultures. This could lead to identity confusion or a sense of feeling not belonging.
Socially, they may face bullying or pressure to fit in, which makes them question their cultural roots. Additionally, emotionally, they might feel lonely, anxious, lost, or homesick, especially if their stress goes unnoticed.
Although children and adolescents are resilient, they still need caring and culturally sensitive adults who can provide support, validation, and a sense of safety during these transitions.
What part of your daily life as a mental health professional makes you feel the most fulfilled and most proud of your career?
The joy of being a child and adolescent psychologist and a play therapist is that the professional help provided to the children and adolescents and their families has made a significant impact on them to empower them to overcome their challenges, which helps to make a difference in their lives.
What do you enjoy most about working at the Center and providing counseling services for our international community?
My acculturation into American society, studies in the United States, professional experiences in China, and clinical work experiences with diverse groups have heightened my awareness of cultural and individual differences. I have developed the ability to be more empathetic to members of diverse cultural groups, to be more sensitive to ability differences, and to relate to their personal experiences during counselling.
My personal and professional experiences enable me to embrace diversity and empower me to become a culturally sensitive mental health professional when serving the international community at the Community Services Center.
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