Ep 128: Coming home to a changed self with Kindall Tyson

Things You Learn in Therapy

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What happens to your identity when you return to a place that once felt like home but now feels foreign? In this profound conversation, therapist Kindall Tyson opens up about her journey of repatriation after spending six years building a life and career in Beijing, China.
Kindall shares raw, vulnerable insights into the unexpected challenges of coming home—from the financial shock of American healthcare and housing costs to deeper questions about identity and belonging. "Success is equated with education. I have that. Money? I'm doing that financially. But I'm still single. I don't have children. I don't have a home," she reflects, highlighting how cultural expectations around success can feel suffocating after experiencing freedom abroad.
The conversation evolves beyond personal experience into a deeper exploration on cultural responsiveness in therapy. Both clinicians explore how our cultural backgrounds permeate everything we do and how we perceive others unless we consciously examine our biases. "I can't extrapolate race and gender from my experience as a Black woman," Kindall explains. "That informs literally every interaction that I have with people, intended or unintended."
This episode offers wisdom for anyone navigating cultural transitions, identity shifts, or seeking to deepen their cultural responsiveness as clinicians. Kindall reminds us that cultural awareness isn't a destination but "an ongoing decision" requiring continuous curiosity and compassion—for others and ourselves. Whether you're an expatriate, a therapist working with diverse populations, or simply someone navigating life's transitions, this conversation offers validation and a roadmap for finding yourself when everything feels foreign.
Check out Kindall's work at aspirecounselingwell.com and follow her on Instagram at @aspire_counselingwell to learn about her upcoming support groups for educators and affirmation cards for travelers.

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Chapters

1. Kendall Returns: Repatriation Challenges (00:00:00)

2. Identity Shifts After Living Abroad (00:08:06)

3. Finding Support During Cultural Transition (00:15:50)

4. Cultural Responsiveness in Therapy (00:22:00)

5. Building Foundations for Growth Anywhere (00:31:07)

6. Future Projects and Final Thoughts (00:38:35)