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Praise
About the Author and Editor

Get a gripping glimpse into the therapy room and most powerful boardrooms in Asia in this first ever self-help memoir by an expatriate therapist from New York City

In more than a decade as a psychotherapist to some of Asia’s most powerful couples and businesspeople, expat New Yorker Allison Heiliczer has seen it all.

In Rethink The Couch: Into the Bedrooms and Boardrooms of Asia with an Expat Therapist, Heiliczer brings readers into her therapy room and engagements with such clients: the Singaporean maneater with a portfolio comparing the endowments—physical and financial—of her expat lovers; the wealthy Chinese litigator in thrall to a feng shui master; the entrepreneur trying to treat his own ADHD; the Indonesian-Chinese businessman who faced a reckoning when his multiple unzipperings were exposed, and many others.

But, this is no exposé. Part East-meets-West expat journey, part self-help deliberation, this collection of personal narratives explores the influence cultural backgrounds have on work and relationships and sheds light on stigmas that still surround divorce, therapy, mental health, and more today in Asia. Asia may lag the West in this regard—for now — but there is a quiet revolution afoot and Heiliczer is at the vanguard.

From toxic offices and complex relationships, boardroom power and bedroom failure, doomed marriages and ill-advised affairs, workaholism, loneliness, lies; these are struggles more common than many of us care to admit. Heiliczer lays them all bare through the prism of culture and is expert in understanding what makes those embroiled in them tick.

This book aims to encourage readers to face their pain and goals, leaving them feeling seen, understood, and transformed.
“Allison's book is a real page turner and powerfully explores all the complexities of Asian cultural influences in relationships and at work in Asia. This is an important resource for people looking for insights into and help for universal issues like toxic offices, workaholism, neurodiversity and more along with those wanting to learn about the unshakable connection that work in Asia has with relationships. It's also a profound call to end the stigma of mental health challenges in Asia.”
—Celina Lee, Executive and Career Coach and award-winning author of Live Your Dream, 꿈 을 이뤄드립니다

“Allison's work with our teams has been invaluable. When the pandemic hit, we realized immediately the toll it would take on our employees' mental health and jumped into action. Our employees' well-being is our number one priority and Allison has been a vital partner in supporting that aim.”
—Ken Cooper, Global Head of Human Resources at Bloomberg

“In this ground-breaking book, Allison Heiliczer illuminates the hidden lives of people living in Asia... written with a candid honesty and an endearing sense of humour…”
—Danielle Lim, Award-winning author of And Softly Go the Crossings

“This book is a profound call to action to change the mental health landscape in Asia. Allison has been a champion in the region for wellbeing, supporting AXA in our efforts to democratize and make mind health accessible to all.”
—Gordon Watson, Chairman of AXA Asia

“A highly engaging, insightful read from the first certified Relationship Life Therapist (RLT) in Asia. Allison provides a rare window into the unique challenges couples grapple with in Asia, highlighting intricate cultural layers, while also exploring the universal themes present in so many relationships.”
—Terrence (Terry) Real, New York Times Bestselling Author of Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship

“In this page-turning debut, Allison Heiliczer invites us into her psychotherapy office, where her clients' stories provide the scaffolding for a riveting exploration of modern Asian marriage, sex, work, parenting, and everything in between. Not shying away from difficult realities, like the couples who end up divorcing when their marriage can't heal, Heiliczer teaches us there's always hope, especially when we care about and believe in each other. She is the master weaver, threading her intimate knowledge of East and West into a stunning exploration of life in the modern world.”
—Anna Lembeke, MD, New York Times Bestselling Author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

“A ground-breaking book that transports you immediately to Asia. This book offers remarkable perspective on culture, relationships, and work including neurodiversity issues. You won't be able to put this book down, and it'll inspire you to transform.”
—Peter Shankman, Bestselling author of Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain
Allison Heiliczer is an American psychotherapist and coach who has been living in Asia for over thirteen years. Heiliczer was the former head of Corporate Psychology at OT&P Healthcare in Hong Kong.

She was recognized as one of the ‘Most Influential People in the Wellness Industry’ 2022 by Ritzy Hong Kong. In addition to interviewing on podcasts with hosts from around the world, she has led online talks with renowned leaders in psychology such as authors Dr Anna Lembke, Dr Judson A. Brewer, and Peter Shankman.

Heiliczer is also the first couples’ therapist in Asia to be certified in Relational Life Therapy, that was pioneered by bestselling author Terry (Terrence) Real.

Sylvia Yu Friedman (editor) is a Penguin Random House SEA author, an award-winning filmmaker and a TV host. She is the author of A Long Road to Justice: Stories from the Frontlines in Asia; Silenced No More: Voices of Comfort Women, the only journalistic account of historical Japanese military sex slavery during WWII, and Heart and Soul: The Life Story of Pastor Augustus Chao. Sylvia was awarded the Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards 2022 by The SustainabilityX® Magazine. She is currently writing books and developing TV series and films.

Authors

Rethink the Couch: Into the Bedrooms and Boardrooms of Asia with an Expat Therapist