Therapy for Adult Third Culture Kids in New York City
Culturally responsive therapy for adults who grew up across countries. In person in Flatiron or online across New York.
How to get started:
Many people first reach out to Dr. Angela Gwak. Depending on availability and what you are looking for, she may introduce you to Ms. Esther Eng, MHC-LP, who also specializes in TCK therapy. She works under Dr. Gwak's supervision and sees adults for individual and couples therapy in New York, in person and online. Either way, you start with a free 15 to 20 minute consultation to see whether we are a good fit.
Because of licensing rules, we can only offer therapy to clients who are located in New York at the time of their sessions (and, with Dr. Gwak, New Jersey or Florida). If you are planning a move to New York, you are welcome to reach out ahead of time.
If you are living abroad:
Finding Belonging as a TCK
Growing up across multiple countries and cultures can be both enriching and challenging.
If you are an Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK), you know what it's like to move between worlds, having to adapt quickly, and carrying pieces of many places within you. You may have developed resilience, adaptability, and a global perspective from your experiences. But you may also carry unresolved grief, identity struggles, or difficulties in relationships.
These challenges often surface in adulthood, even years after relocations. If these difficulties are starting to affect your life, therapy with someone who truly understands the TCK experience can help.
Ms. Esther Eng, MHC-LP, works with adult Third Culture Kids and expats on identity, belonging and the search for connection, and Dr. Angela Gwak brings her own experience as a Third Culture Kid to this work. Together, we offer professional support to strengthen your sense of self, reduce what holds you back, and help you thrive in your personal life, relationships and career.
What does it mean to be an Adult Third Culture Kid (TCK)? Am I a TCK?
If you are a person who has spent a significant part of your life outside of your parents' culture, has moved around a lot internationally and lived in multiple countries, you might be a TCK. This unique background and identity shape how you function and how you pursue meaning across different areas of your life.
You might possess a lot of strengths because of the varied exposures to different experiences, cultures, and languages. But being an adult TCK, there are some drawbacks that could get in the way.
At our NYC practice, we see many clients reporting a lot of internal struggles and difficulties that stem from being a TCK. So, what are some of their experiences?
As a TCK, you may:
Feel connected to many cultures but not fully feel rooted in any.
Struggle to answer the question, "Where are you from?"
Experience culture shock returning to your passport country because you're supposed to feel grounded but you do not feel you belong to your "home" country.
Find yourself more defined by relationships than by a single place.
What are the Challenges Adult Third Culture Kids (TCKs) Often Face?
While we recognize that every TCK experience is unique and varied (and not necessarily all negative), there are some common struggles that ATCKs often share:
Identity crises: difficulty taking full ownership of any culture, leading to feelings of disconnection.
Culture shock: especially when returning to the passport or "home" country, where they may expect to fit in but instead feel like outsiders.
Emotional struggles: anxiety, depressed mood, grief, or low self-esteem connected to repeated transitions.
Relational difficulties: struggles with closeness, commitment, or fear of loss after many moves and repeated goodbyes.
These challenges may quietly undermine your effectiveness and wellbeing, even when you outwardly appear well-adjusted.
Moving to, or back to, New York
Arriving in New York after years abroad can be harder than expected. You may feel out of step with friends and family, miss the life you left behind, or wonder where you really belong. This is often called reverse culture shock, and it is a common part of the TCK experience. Therapy can help you settle into your life here without losing the person you became while you were away.
How Therapy Can Help if You Are an Adult TCK
Working with one of our TCK therapists who can truly understand your unique experience will give you space to:
Explore your identity in a supportive, nonjudgmental setting.
Process unresolved grief and losses from relocations.
Strengthen your ability to function effectively across different cultures and life settings.
Address struggles that may limit your growth in relationships, career, and personal wellbeing.
Learn practical skills to manage stress, low mood, and uncertainty with greater confidence.
Therapy can help you integrate your unique story, so you can thrive, be authentic to who you are, and navigate more effectively in the different areas of your life.
Resonance Psychology Approach to TCK Therapy
Relational and Compassionate
You'll experience therapy as a space where you are deeply seen and supported. It's not about "fixing" you so you can fit into one single culture or country; it's about understanding and empowering you to live more freely and authentically in light of all the different worlds you've lived in.
Culturally Informed and Identity-Affirming
We explore how your family, culture, countries, languages, and society shape who you are, your mental health and your relationships. We honor your unique story while helping you define your own path. No assumptions. No judgment. Just real conversations that reflect your lived reality.
Evidence-Based and Flexible
Therapy is tailored to your TCK needs using therapy modalities like:
Relational-Cultural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Multicultural and Systems Therapy
Psychodynamic and Attachment-Based Therapy
Relational, Intergenerational and Culturally Informed Trauma Therapy
Begin Your Journey of Groundedness Today
You don't have to navigate these challenges alone. With the right support, you can embrace and own your strengths as an ATCK and reduce the barriers that keep you from living more joyfully.
If this resonates with you, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore your unique TCK experiences, hold space to honor your story, and support your ability to thrive across cultures, relationships, and work.
You'd be working with someone who gets it.
Frequently Asked Questions About TCK Therapy in NYC
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While this page is focused on adult TCK therapy, we welcome clients of all backgrounds. At Resonance, we specialize in working with TCK clients but also work with individuals from diverse cultural, racial, and identity backgrounds who value culturally sensitive, evidence-based, and relational therapy.
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That's completely okay and actually very common. Many of our TCK clients are exploring therapy for the first time. We'll go at your pace, and we'll guide you through what to expect so that you feel supported and comfortable.
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If you're feeling something is off, such as you feel sad, anxious, disconnected, or simply not yourself, therapy can help. You don't have to be in crisis to benefit. If you're thinking about it, it's worth exploring.
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Yes. Ms. Esther Eng sees clients online and in person across New York. Dr. Angela Gwak sees clients in-person and online in New York, and via telehealth only for New Jersey and Florida residents. Online sessions offer the same warmth and care as in-person work.
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We are an out-of-network provider, which means you pay for sessions upfront and we can provide a superbill for possible reimbursement through your insurance. Many clients receive partial reimbursement depending on their plan.
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Simply book a free 15 to 20 minute consultation. We will talk about what you are going through, what you are hoping for, and whether we would be a good fit.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out for immediate support. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.