027: Lost in Translation: When Suicidal Language is Cultural
From New Therapist FAQ by Roy Kim
February 17, 2026 · 28 min · Season 1 · Episode 27
About this episode
This episode features a discussion with Dr. Jeongmi Moon on how cultural nuances affect the understanding of suicidal language in therapy.
In this episode, I sit down with a Korean American psychologist who reflects on vulnerable early-career moments when cultural differences shaped how she understood clients’ expressions of suicidal ideation. In her culture of origin, language about death and wanting to die was often woven into everyday speech — a nuance that initially influenced how she assessed risk in the therapy room. Together, we explore how culture shapes meaning, why suicidal language does not translate evenly across contexts, and how cross-cultural humility — not perfection — is essential to ethical and attuned clinical care. Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation and may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care. Dr Jeongmi Moon https://www.drmoon.live New Therapist FAQ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newtherapistfaq/ New Therapist FAQ on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ntfaqpodcast
People in this episode
Guest: Dr Jeongmi Moon
Topics covered
- cultural differences
- suicidal ideation
- cross-cultural humility
- therapy
Keywords
- Korean American psychologist
- cultural context
- ethical clinical care
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Lost in Translation: When Suicidal Language is Cultural
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