Mental health services, known in Taiwan as “身心科,” are referred to in the U.S. as either “mental health services” or “behavioral health services.” Many within the Chinese community may not fully understand the range of treatments, types, and offerings available in mental health care. To address this knowledge gap, the Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) under El Camino Health will host an online seminar on October 24th, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
The seminar will feature licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Chih-Mei Chen as the keynote speaker. Dr. Chen holds dual Master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and Clinical Psychology, along with a Ph.D. She has over 25 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), having previously worked as the outpatient program manager at Momentum for Mental Health and as a counselor in El Camino Health’s behavioral health department. Additionally, she co-founded the first Chinese support group for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and has led disaster mental health operations for the American Red Cross. Her extensive background spans various fields, including community organizations, hospitals, domestic violence shelters, and schools.
During the seminar, Dr. Chen will clarify the distinctions between various mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists, and marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). She will discuss how to choose a mental health provider who speaks Mandarin and understands Chinese culture, as well as patients’ rights. Additionally, she will guide attendees on how to effectively communicate with insurance companies to ensure they receive the services they need.
The Chinese Health Initiative offers monthly Chinese-language mental health seminars aimed at helping the Chinese community better understand mental health services and related resources. Recently, in August, a session addressed how elderly, low-income individuals, and those without insurance can access mental health services. This upcoming seminar will focus on how to find appropriate mental health providers through private insurance. The event is free of charge and will be conducted in Mandarin. Interested participants are encouraged to register online at elcaminohealth.org/chi-events.
