ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the definition and identification of South Asian Americans, the influences on South Asian American Counseling and Psychology and provides a definition of this field of study. It discusses cultural and clinical factors for consideration in working with South Asian Americans who are racially categorized as Asian Americans due to the geography of the Asian continent and the United States (US) Census Bureau labeling. However, South Asian Americans are described as individuals in the US with ethnic heritage from Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and/or the Maldives. This label also includes individuals from various African countries, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and other countries within Asia with ancestors who immigrated from South Asian countries. The field of South Asian American counseling and psychology has been influenced by historical counseling, psychology theories, and frameworks, as well as movements that increased the visibility and needs of communities of color.
