Episode 97: South Asians in the United States

We speak with Shreya Bhandari, PhD, LISW, editor of the NASW Press book “South Asians in the United States: A Guide for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals.”

Dr. Bhandari is professor and director of social work, Purdue University Northwest. She is also alicensed clinical social worker with her own private practice. Her research focuses on violence against women, specifically domestic violence. She has worked in the area of domestic violence and mental health for about two decades as a researcher, educator, and practitioner.

Contributors to this publication are:

• Sameena Azhar, PhD, LCSW, MPH
• Vaidehi Jokhakar, MSW, MPH
• Mukul Khandelwal, MA Nidhi Khosla, PhD, MPH, PGDRM
• Gita R. Mehrotra, PhD, MSW
• Uma Chandrika Millner, PhD
• Vithya Murugan, PhD, MSW
• Abha Rai, PhD, MSW
• Stacey Priya Raj, PhD
• Vaishali V. Raval, PhD
• Leena Rijhwani, BS

Our host for this episode is NASW member Elisabeth Joy LaMotte, LICSW, founder of the DC Counseling and Psychotherapy Center and author of "Overcoming Your Parents’ Divorce." She serves on the Board of Overseers of her graduate school, the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, the Trustees' Council of Penn Women, and the board of NASW’s Private Practice Section Committee.

Posted February 7, 2023

Read a transcript of episode 97

You can also watch this interview and leave your comments on YouTube.

About the Book

South Asians in the United States: A Guide for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals debunks the myth of the “model minority,” a term often used to describe South Asians in the United States due to the rapid financial and cultural success of some of the subgroups among South Asians.

Instead, the authors have compiled comprehensive evidence-based literature on the prevalence, nature, and types of social issues that South Asians in the United States face, as well as how best to intervene. Beginning with a history of South Asians in the United States, the book explores the immigration patterns, religious diversity, and languages and cultures that shape this community.

You can purchase a copy of South Asians in the United States on the NASW Press website.