A is for Authentic: Not for Anxieties or for Straight A’s

by Jeanie Chang

A is for Authentic shines a spotlight on the mental health stigma in the Asian community. This book outlines the identity journey of a second-generation Korean American who is emboldened to share her perspective through a mental health lens as a practicing clinician. Her memoir is about bringing healing and instilling hope as a catalyst for impactful change in normalizing mental health and mental illness in the Asian community. The author embraces cultural confidence™ to bravely express the thoughts and emotions she uncovered over the years.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2021

Reviews

[D.J. Chuang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Jeanie for openly shares from your private life, personally and honestly.

I found it so helpful that the author expressed her feelings from childhood to adulthood because we Asian Americans don't get much practice talking about our feelings, so we don't know how to. For the author to put herself out there, I believe many readers will benefit from her examples. And it's so helpful to know that we're not alone when we experience the pressure to be perfect, the pains of parents with unrealistic expectations, the challenges of finding fulfilling careers, and that life's journey of personal discovery and growth is so worth it all.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I relate to a lot of what she wrote. It made me think twice about how I am dealing with my fears, anxieties, and identity. As a fellow Korean-American (and Asian-American), I felt that Jeanie Chang stated and explained things that I didn't want to express and was taught that it was not right to seek help. I feel like I read the book at the most appropriate time in my life as I was and still am struggling with accepting and forgiving myself. Reading this book has brought me a sense of relief to know that I am not alone in my struggles. I highly recommend this to anyone who is struggling with self-identity, especially to Asian-Americans.

[Erica DiBiase]

I appreciate Jeanie’s willingness to be vulnerable and share her story as a first generation Korean American. Jeanie provides a perspective as a LMFT... as a mother trying to balance the extreme themes from her own childhood... but she is also a woman who channeled her self confidence and determination into finding her career passion.

[Tessa]

It is an honor to know Jeanie and read her story. I admire her work, resilience, and confidence to be able to share this story with all of us.

[Iris (Yi Youn) Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated reading Jeanie's story. As a 1.5 gen Korean American, I related to so many of her struggles.