Intergenerational Trauma in AAPI Families: Understanding Wellness, Family Dynamics, and Help-Seeking

Starting at Noon (EST) on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 
Register Today:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GT1DP4N-TMyOnnIYMX3jOQ 
Summary:

This beginner-friendly workshop introduces the concept of intergenerational trauma in AAPI immigrant families, exploring how migration, cultural expectations, and unspoken histories can shape family dynamics and wellness. Participants will reflect on the diversity within AAPI communities and consider healing-centered approaches that support culturally respectful care and connection.
 

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the diversity of AAPI communities, including varied migration histories, languages, and cultural traditions, and why this context matters when discussing trauma and healing.
  2. Define intergenerational trauma and recognize how it may show up in AAPI immigrant families through patterns like silence, role shifts, and emotional distancing.
  3. Identify how migration experiences and family expectations can shape wellness and influence whether and how AAPI individuals seek help for mental or emotional challenges.
  4. Reflect on basic healing-centered and culturally respectful approaches to better support AAPI individuals and families in community or service-based settings.

Presenter:
Esther Hio-Tong Castillo 

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Esther Castillo is a DEI practitioner, community builder, storyteller, and advocate working on issues around racial justice and health equity across marginalized communities in Philadelphia. Her cross-sector collaboration with community-based organizations, health agencies, and government departments directly led to a successful COVID-19 vaccine campaign that helped over 5,000 immigrants with limited English proficiency get vaccinated in Philadelphia. 

Dr. Castillo was a winner of the Good Pitch Local Philadelphia competition in 2021 and used the grant awarded to produce a short documentary, "Feeling Asian American," to spread awareness about the persistent but unseen racism faced by Asian Americans. She also co-founded Blasian Solidarity with community organizers and inspired many across the nonprofit and government sectors to collaborate and partner with the local Black and Asian communities. Currently, she serves as the CEO at Accesso Care.