Helping Bicultural Individuals Heal Transgenerational Trauma
Therapy for Anxiety, Self-doubt and Guilt in Irvine and Throughout California
TWO CULTURES IS INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING
Do you feel torn between what you want and what the culture you come from tells you to do and be? Do you experience anxiety, self-doubt, and guilt ?
Perhaps you have a deep sense of responsibility to make your parents happy, and when you fall short, feel stuck in a loop of beating yourself up and feeling hopeless.
When you get into the cycle of beating yourself up , you start procrastinating at work or with tasks at home . This leads to you feeling even worst about yourself and almost more unsure on what you should be focusing on.
You feel like a jerk when you do what you want, but you feel resentful when you try to make your family happy.
Have you found asking yourself 'What’s wrong with me? and start spiraling?
Something feels off in your daily life, and it’s weighing on you physically. You might feel constantly emotionally and physically exhausted. Just when you finally have a moment to relax or enjoy yourself, a text message arrives. It seems caring at first, but there are undertones of disapproval or subtle reminders: “I know you enjoy what you are doing, but how is it helping you to build a future? You need a real career that offers stability, not just some hobby”. "Hi, just wanted to check in. Have you thought about visiting more often? It feels like we hardly see you these days, and family should always come first, don’t you think?"
You feel stuck. How can you say anything when you know your parents just want what’s best for you? They’ve sacrificed so much, and you’re grateful—or at least you’re supposed to be. But deep down, their words leave you questioning yourself. You choose not to respond, but the silence feels heavy. The guilt builds as you hear their voices in your mind, saying things like, “Why are you so ungrateful?”
Therapy for Transgenerational Trauma and Complex Trauma Can Help.
Hi, I’m Cristina Deneve.
If you are experiencing feeling torn between two worlds I can help you. I’m am a therapist specializing in Transgenerational Trauma and Complex Trauma. My superpower is helping you to ease the anxiety of feeling torn between two worlds, break free from heavy expectations, and reconnect with who you truly are.
My own journey of self-reconnection led me to transition from engineering to therapy. As a fellow bicultural individual, immigrant, parent of 3 American children, and someone in a biracial marriage, I understand the challenges of navigating cultural expectations.
I’m also a certified EMDR therapist. EMDR is an evidence based approach that speeds up the healing. I am passionate about helping individuals heal from trauma because I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life free from the weight of their past, expectations and step into a future full of possibility and resilience.
What is Transgenerational Trauma?
Transgenerational trauma refers to the emotional and psychological wounds that get passed down from one generation to the next. When parents, grandparents, or ancestors have lived through immigration, war, poverty, discrimination, or family dysfunction, the effects don’t simply disappear with time. They often show up in family patterns, communication styles, and coping mechanisms that shape how we see ourselves and navigate the world.
As a bicultural individual, I understand how complex it can feel to live between two worlds. I grew up with contrasting cultural values—one that emphasized appearances and restraint, and another that valued warmth and authenticity. At times, I felt torn, unsure which parts of me were acceptable. Many of my clients share a similar struggle: holding the richness of two cultures while also feeling the pain of not fully belonging to either.
As an immigrant I know how much courage it takes to start over in a new country. But I also know that the sacrifices, losses, and constant adaptation often come with unspoken wounds. These invisible struggles can impact how we parent, how we connect with others, and how we experience our own worth. My role is to help you break free from patterns that no longer serve you, so you can create a life that feels whole, authentic, and empowered.
Complex trauma develops when we experience ongoing stress or adverse situations over extended periods, particularly during our formative years. For many adult children of immigrants, this might look like:
❤️Growing up feeling responsible for your family's emotional well-being
🫂Navigating between two cultures while feeling fully accepted by neither
🩹Experiencing chronic stress from financial instability or family conflict
🏆Feeling pressure to "succeed" to justify your family's sacrifices
🥀Learning to suppress your own needs to maintain family harmony
Unlike a single traumatic event, complex trauma shapes our nervous system and our sense of self in profound ways. It can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected from our authentic selves, or caught in cycles of self-doubt and perfectionism.
The important thing to understand is that these struggles make complete sense given your experiences. You're not broken—you're responding to circumstances that were genuinely difficult. And most importantly, healing is absolutely possible.
Complex Trauma: When Life Feels Overwhelming
I help First and Second Generation Americans heal so that they can:
Live Authentically Without Guilt or Shame
Learn to say ‘no’ and stand up for themselves without feeling like they’re letting anyone down.
Love their family and honor their culture while living a life true to themselves.
Find Peace Between Two Worlds
Find a way to reconnect with their culture while building a life that feels true to themselves.
Create a sense of belonging without losing themselves.
Learn Healthier Family Dynamics that Will Allow them to Break the Cycle for Future Generations
Stop carrying the same patterns of silence, guilt, or shame into their own family.
Learn how to communicate and break those cycles so their kids and they can have a healthier relationship.
First and Second Generation Americans who have worked with me have said things like:
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"You have changed my life for the better. Now I believe in myself, I can stand up for myself, I feel that I have control over my life, and I feel at peace."
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"You have helped me tremendously. People have noticed a change in me—they say I seem happier now. I no longer explode like I used to because I’ve learned how to communicate and set boundaries. Now, I can protect myself and feel good about who I am."
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"I don't know how to thank you for helping me turn my life around completely. I hardly recognize this person who is assertive, confident, knows who they are, what they want, what they need, and how to get it."
Healing from Transgenerational Trauma Is Possible
You aren’t alone. It’s not your fault, and healing is possible. You deserve to live a life where cultural expectations and family dynamics don’t cause constant guilt, anxiety, or self-doubt.
It may feel like being torn between your family’s expectations and your own desires is just a way of life. It doesn’t have to be. You can feel confident in who you are. You can set boundaries without guilt. You can live a life that honors your family and culture while staying true to yourself.
If you are ready to invest in yourself, please reach out today. I am here to walk with you on your journey to healing and self-discovery. I can’t wait to accompany you.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Therapy for Immigrants Who Arrived Later in Life
If you immigrated to the United States as an adult, you face unique challenges that deserve specialized understanding and support. The process of rebuilding your life, career, and identity in a new country while maintaining connections to your homeland creates a complex emotional landscape that many therapists may not fully grasp.
Parenting Guidance for Immigrant Families
Raising children as an immigrant can feel overwhelming when the world your children are growing up in looks very different from the one you knew. Many parents try to guide their children according to the values, rules, and traditions they grew up with, only to be surprised by how different, confused, or even disrespectful their children seem. This clash between past expectations and present reality often creates stress, guilt, and self-doubt, leaving parents unsure if they’re doing the “right” thing. With guidance and support, it’s possible to navigate these challenges while maintaining your values and building healthier connections with your children.
Therapy for Immigrants in English
I understand the unique challenges that come with navigating life as an immigrant, regardless of your native language or country of origin. When you choose to work with me in English, you’re working with someone who truly gets the immigrant experience—the constant code-switching between cultures, the pressure to succeed while adapting to a new environment, the daily battle of trying to fit in, and the emotional weight of building a life between two worlds.
My own journey as an immigrant gives me deep insight into the struggles you may be facing. I know what it’s like to question your identity, to feel pulled between where you started and where you are now, and to carry the need to fit in everywhere you go. This lived experience allows me to create a therapeutic space where your immigrant story is not just understood but honored.
Terapia en Español
Para aquellos que prefieren expresarse en español, ofrezco terapia completamente en su idioma natal. Entiendo profundamente que nuestras experiencias más profundas a menudo están guardadas en nuestro primer idioma, y que poder acceder a esos recuerdos y emociones sin la barrera de la traducción puede hacer que el proceso de sanación sea más completo y efectivo.
When I work with Spanish-speaking clients, I'm not just translating therapeutic concepts—I'm providing culturally attuned care that honors the nuances of Latino culture, family dynamics, and values. The therapy happens entirely in Spanish, from our initial conversation through the deepest healing work we do together.
FAQs
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Sometimes, the pain or struggles our parents, grandparents, or even earlier family members went through can get passed down to us. This happens not because they want to hurt us, but because their experiences—like living through war, poverty, discrimination, or other hard times—can affect how they see the world, handle emotions, or raise their children.
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I offer a free consultation call to see if we are a good fit. After this call, my fee is 175 for a 50 minute individual session.
Regarding Insurance: I am in Network with Aetna and United Health Care in California This means that if I don’t take your particular insurance you can often obtain reimbursement with insurance companies if your particular plan has out-of-network benefits.
Most insurance plans with out-of-network benefits will reimburse you 60-90% of my fee when you submit a receipt called a superbill that I provide to you.
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Online counseling is convenient, and allows you to access counseling from the comfort of your own home from Empower U secure video platform.
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The duration of therapy for transgenerational trauma can vary widely depending on several factors, including the client’s goals, the complexity of the trauma, the therapeutic approach used, and the client’s readiness and ability to process their experiences.
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Yes, people can heal from transgenerational trauma, though the process often requires time, commitment, and support. Healing doesn’t necessarily mean erasing the trauma or its effects but involves creating healthier patterns, breaking cycles of harm, and finding a sense of empowerment and self-connection.
Insurance, Fees, and Policies
I accept Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Oxford, and Quest Behavioral Health insurance plans. If you do not have one of these plans, my fee is $175 per session. If you have a PPO plan, I can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement (coverage varies by plan, so I encourage you to check with your insurance provider for details). I currently provide online therapy only. Please note that EMDR therapy is just as effective online as it is in person.
Therapy is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Many of my clients say their only regret is not starting sooner because of the positive changes they’ve experienced.
Book a Free 15-Min Consultation
Get started with therapy for Transgenerational Trauma today.
You don’t have to live with anxiety, constant guilt and self doubt. Therapy can help you find peace, set boundaries, feel confident in who you are, and live authentically. My online therapy practice Empower U specializes in adult children of immigrants who suffer from Transgenerational Trauma and Complex Trauma. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
Step 1
Book a free 15-min consultation call with Cristina
Step 2
Meet with Cristina for an intake session
Step 3
Start reconnecting with your true self and rediscover or propel your dreams, overcoming the fear of being invalidated or criticized. Find peace as you navigate family dynamics and cultural expectations.