Compatibility is the key when it comes to finding a therapist. For me, I was looking for a therapist who could be my friend—someone who gets me and can be brutally honest and give me unbiased feedback for any situations I struggle with.

I feel lucky to have found the one for me, so much so that after a couple of sessions, I started googling, “Can I be friends with my therapist, legally?”

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

However, I feel even luckier to have met a new friend at an event—Alex, who is a psychotherapist. In this episode, I share a conversation with Alex about all things therapy from both the client’s and the therapist’s perspectives.

05:52 My therapy journey – “breakup,” then “love at first sight”

11:35 The right match is personal

16:07 Alex’s career journey into psychotherapy

20:00 Modalities, specialties, client demographics

27:18 Behind the scenes of a session

36:00 Why can’t I be friends with my therapist?

40:40 What makes a session feel “productive”?

43:19 Misconceptions about therapists

52:31 Free alternative self-help resources

Guest: Alexandra Maduro | Website: https://www.alexandramaduro.com

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As first-generation immigrants with a Chinese upbringing and an North American education, we experience cultural and generational conflicts with our parents in a unique way. However, our relationships are stronger for it, and we are optimistic that our self-work can save both our parents and future kids a trip to the therapist's office.

2:36 Intense family time with meltdowns and reflections

6:34 We never had a teenage rebellion

9:19 To keep constant contact, is it a tyranny?

23:53 Our cultural conflicts with parents as first-generation immigrants

26:00 With the intention of care comes the impact of judgments

30:18 Moms reject compliments as a coping mechanism

44:25 Feeling like a puppet in their master plan of conventional success

48:08 Oversensitive or genuinely traumatized?

52:10 Mom told me I was not pretty

1:00:23 Unconditional love, transactional affection

1:05:03 It's their first time being parents too

References:

• 孩子睡了 (She's Asleep) Podcast
• 奇葩说 (QI PA SHUO) Debate Show S3E18

🫶 Support me by leaving a five-star review and following the podcast on Instagram: ⁠@goodthingshappenpod

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Catching up with my friend who has been on exchange programs for almost a year to talk about the things in our lives and on our minds.

04:48 I feel happier after selling the bathroom scale

08:28 Cultural difference of "Getting what you want"

17:06 I wish I could go back and learn better in middle school

23:25 "You will sweep the street if you don't get better grades"

26:50 Reinventing my corporate persona at a new job

30:35 Traits of success = masculine?

34:24 Past, future, and present

37:04 Are we too two-dimensional?

39:05 Everything but food will end up in the landfill

References:

• Palestinian Excellence Podcast
• Arrival Movie
• Money Feels Podcast

• 🫶 Support me by leaving a five-star review and following the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠@goodthingshappenpod⁠

  Music from: https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-boyle/bright-life

  License code: EWYGGWHCCXWDLMI8