Ep 128: Coming home to a changed self with Kindall Tyson
05/16/25 • 43 min
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.
This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.
If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6
Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]
www.bethtrammell.com
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.
This podcast is meant to be a resource for the general public, as well as fellow therapists/psychologists. It is NOT meant to replace the meaningful work of individual or family therapy. Please seek professional help in your area if you are struggling. #breakthestigma #makewordsmatter #thingsyoulearnintherapy #thingsyoulearnintherapypodcast
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, please contact 988 or seek a treatment provider in your area.
If you are a therapist or psychologist and want to be a guest on the show, please complete this form to apply: https://forms.gle/ooy8QirpgL2JSLhP6
Feel free to share your thoughts at www.makewordsmatterforgood.com or email me at [email protected]
www.bethtrammell.com
Previous Episode
Beyond ABCs: The Hidden Skills Your 5-Year-Old Needs
Are you worried your child isn't ready for kindergarten? You're not alone. While many parents focus on teaching academic skills, I've discovered through years of consulting with teachers and families that five-year-olds often struggle with something more fundamental: the social and emotional skills needed to thrive in a classroom environment.
This episode introduces my Kindergarten Boot Camp, an innovative eight-week virtual program designed to help children develop these crucial skills before school begins. Through two live Zoom sessions and weekly content delivered straight to your inbox, you'll learn practical strategies to help your child develop emotional regulation, social skills, and classroom adaptability. We'll tackle the real challenges kindergartners face – sitting still during story time, taking turns with peers, managing frustration, and following classroom routines.
Why does this matter? Because children with strong social-emotional foundations transition more smoothly into kindergarten, build better relationships with teachers and peers, and position themselves for academic success. At just $27 for the full program (with scholarships available for families in need), this boot camp represents an investment in your child's confidence and classroom readiness. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver of an incoming kindergartner, this program provides the structure and support you need to make this summer count. Join our community of families preparing their little ones for this important milestone – registration is now open for our June 1st kickoff session! Have questions? Reach out directly to [email protected].
www.bethtrammell.com
Next Episode
The Introverted Therapist's Nightmare
Ever been caught in that awkward moment when someone recognizes you but you can't place them? For therapists living and working in the same community, these encounters create what I call "introverted therapist nightmares"—those uncomfortable moments when professional boundaries and social niceties collide.
In today's conversation, I share how these encounters unfold and why I often tell therapy clients I'll pretend not to know them in public. It's not about being cold or dismissive—it's about protecting confidentiality when they're out with friends or family who might not know they're in therapy. But what happens when roles blur, especially as I've transitioned to more community workshops and training? That moment of panic when someone approaches with a friendly "Hey Beth!" and I'm frantically searching my memory banks trying to determine if they were a client, a workshop participant, or someone else entirely.
The solution came in a beautiful moment of clarity during a recent encounter when someone approached me saying, "Hey Beth, it's me, Jessie. I used to work for the Y." That simple self-identification immediately dissolved any potential awkwardness. Consider this your invitation to adopt this practice—when approaching someone you haven't seen in a while, especially professionals who interact with many people, a quick reminder of how you know each other can be an act of genuine kindness that eases social anxiety on both sides.
Also in this episode, I'm excited to announce that Marie Sloane returns this Friday to share practical techniques for staying regulated when the world around us feels increasingly chaotic. Plus, registration remains open for my virtual Kindergarten Boot Camp starting June 1st—a comprehensive program designed to build social-emotional readiness skills in soon-to-be kindergartners while giving parents concrete tools to support this important transition. Visit bethtrammell.com for more details and to secure your spot! Have you experienced similar social navigation challenges? I'd love to hear your stories and solutions.
www.bethtrammell.com
Things You Learn in Therapy - Ep 128: Coming home to a changed self with Kindall Tyson
Transcript
All right , listener , welcome back . I'm your host , dr Beth Trammell . I'm glad you're here today . I am back with my most wonderful , most amazing guests that I just look forward to seeing , and y'all .
Dr. Beth Trammell, PhD, HSPPI should have pushed record at the very beginning because it would have been so fun to just hear l
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