Nkem and Nelliana, as immigrant therapists, will facilitate a conversation about the cultural complexities that immigrant families face and navigate in the dominant American Culture. They hope to bring awareness to the ethical and practical implications of therapists. This conversation is an attempt to explore the unseen complexities of working with immigrant clients (individuals, couples, and families) in therapy.

Nkem Chinwah
Nkem Chinwah is an LPC, LMFT (AAMFT-Supervisor in progress), and Life Coach who enjoys working with clients from different cultural backgrounds. She is experienced in working with adults navigating everyday life situations and transitions. She also works with individuals, couples, and families with HGI, and in her private practice and supervises students as they grow their therapeutic skills.

Nkem is the owner of Mine Counseling PLLC, a group practice, and she also works with Houston Galveston Institute (HGI). Nkem is also an adjunct Marriage and Family Therapist instructor at Our Lady at the Lake University (OLLU) where she teaches and supervises aspiring MFT (and LPC) therapy students to cultivate their therapeutic skills in the school clinic.

Nelliana Acuna
Nelliana Acuna is a bilingual immigrant LMFT-A (AAMFT-Supervisor in progress). She has been a psychotherapist since 2008, working with individuals, couples, and families. Her background as a psychologist, Systemic Family Therapist, Sex Therapist, and Collaborative-Dialogic Practitioner gives her a nuanced understanding of situations and dynamics. She has lived in multiple cities and continents which has taught her to appreciate and understand cultural and generational differences.

Nelliana is the owner of SPANISH THERAPIST, a group practice that provides services for Hispanic clients. She is developing a multi-author blog, WE SPEAK CULTURE, to create a place for professionals to share their thoughts about language, culture, and societal expectations. She is also running a pilot program for her RELATIONAL SCHOOL at Our Lady at the Lake University (OLLU) to encourage therapy students to develop their most fearless authentic selves while they integrate theory and clinical practice.