Casey Chow Counseling
*These reflect my own personal thoughts & experiences, and is in no way professional counseling.*
When I was in preschool, we were asked for our graduation what we wanted to be… I said a Ninja Turtle. As time went on: a pilot, police officer, firefighter, an illustrator, a writer, a teacher, a filmmaker, a youth pastor… basically, there were a lot of options, but I wasn’t one to “stick” with things. I’m an indecisive person. So it comes with surprise and a bit of nervousness, that I announce that I’m sticking to a career that I’d hopefully be in for a while.
I am officially launching Casey Chow Counseling as my own private practice for the state of Oregon & Washington. I will be providing tele-therapy counseling to residents of both states, and starting this small business venture.
As an Asian-American born to two immigrant parents, the conversations on mental health weren’t discussed. I was an expressive child with no proper outlet, especially anger and sadness. Funny enough, it wasn’t until I left for Oregon to pursue my Masters in counseling, did I learn my dad had his own MA in counseling he earned in the Philppines. I’ve witnessed my parents mostly communicate through yelling and arguing every night, and I remember distinct times when I knew my mom was mad or sad, but wouldn’t verbally express it, but would rather throw things around the house. I learned about generational-trauma, I learned about their upbringings, I learned how it has shaped them to be the people and parents that they grew to be.
Growing up in an Asian community, I was made to believe that going to therapy meant you were crazy. Why waste your money paying someone when you could just vent to friends and relatives. Even in this profession, I don’t disagree with the latter statement, but it comes to a certain point where some may need a professional to help navigate the processing. Also someone who won’t just put their weight back onto you, just an endless back and forth. It wasn’t until I went to my first counseling session in 2013 did I learn a bit of that. It was awkward for the first few sessions, don’t get me wrong, but soon I learned about mindfulness, and what was happening to my fists when I was angry. Noticing parts of my body that went incognito when I felt strong emotions.
Fast forward to 2016 when I restarted counseling, this time with an Asian male and learned about myself spiritually. Then taking group counseling to learn about Cognitive Behavioral Theory to help combat my anxious, depressive, and suicidal ideations. It was when I started reading into the mind since my first interest happen when I took psychology and human development in high school. People fascinated me, the mind fascinated me. Learning how everyone was different in many ways, interested me.
But it wasn’t until the youth that I worked with at the time, expressed their thoughts of suicide, is when I grew the interest the most. It was my lack of knowledge, the helplessness, and despair that they felt that projected me onto this path.
As I looked for an Asian counselor to work with for my own personal therapy in Oregon. It was a lot harder to find. Before the pandemic, all sessions were in person, so one that was manageable to get to, wasn’t filled, and took my insurance or relative to affordable pay; it wasn’t easy. This is another reason why this decision felt right, for the chance there’s another Asian or BIPOC person out there looking for an Asian counselor in Oregon, I hope to be able to provide that connection for them. Even widening my network to learn of more BIPOC therapists to refer people here.
So, to that kid that wanted to be a Ninja Turtle when he grew up. I’m sorry to disappoint you, it didn’t happen. But, I hope that what I’m doing now will make you proud. I may not be saving the world by fighting Shredder, Bebop & Rocksteady, and that weird brain in the stomach guy, but I’ll hope to still help people as long as I’m alive. Cowabunga little dude.
