Passport to Shame is an honest, unfiltered unpacking of Sam Louie’s own journey of breaking the chains of addiction, by first breaking the chains of the many iterations of shame that permeated his life as a Chinese immigrant:

“Unlike the United States and other Western countries, which pride themselves on individualism, equality, and autonomy, traditional Asian nations exalt collectivism, hierarchy, and obedience. As a result, Asian societies are often referred to as “shame-based cultures,” in which social order is maintained through the use of shame. In Chinese culture alone, there are more than 100 different ways to describe shame. While some of them overlap with English versions of shame, such as a sense of disgrace and humiliation, many others help shed light on why and how shame is so pertinent among Asian cultures.

Identities are forged by upholding honor while avoiding any shame-producing feelings, thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors. This presents a cultural bind where the shame leads those to suffer in silence, since acknowledgement can be met with family, community, and cultural rejection, ostracism, or banishment.

I should know.

My life was once shackled by shame. As a first-generation Chinese immigrant to the United States, I was challenged by shame from the moment I arrived on these shores. The shame of being Asian in America, the shame of prejudice and racism, the shame of Asian masculinity, the shame of breaking away from Asian norms, and eventually the shame of my addiction. Not just my addiction but a family legacy of addiction as I come from at least three generations of addicts.”

– Sam Louie

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Sam Louie, MA, LMHC, CSAT is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist with Prodigals Counseling specializing in helping men with problematic sexual behaviors see beyond their sexual brokenness and recognize the sanctity of their souls. He also leads a Wednesday evening Christian Men’s Sex Addiction Therapy Group – Journey to Recovery. Sam is a first-generation, Chinese-American immigrant who grew up in South Seattle amidst three generations of addictions, bringing significant understanding and experience helping people address trauma, addictions, cultural and relationship issues.

Please use the contact form below to schedule a counseling appointment with Sam, or to request more information about his Wednesday evening Men’s Therapy Group: