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The Hyphenated Life

Bridging the In-Between Spaces of Intersectional Identities

Coming Soon
The Hyphenated Life Open the full-size image

Contributors

By Han Ren

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Jun 16, 2026
Page Count
208 pages
Publisher
Balance
ISBN-13
9781538771884

Price

$14.99

Price

$19.99 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. ebook $14.99 $19.99 CAD
  2. Hardcover $30.00 $40.00 CAD
  3. Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $24.99

Buy from Other Retailers:

An insightful guide for “Hyphenates” seeking to better understand themselves and help others understand them, too.
 
What does it mean to live a hyphenated life? So many of us exist in a constant state of flux, toggling across the multiple layers of who we are and the diverse spaces we occupy. Perhaps we’re an immigrant or child of immigrants, a person of color, disabled, neurodivergent, queer, or all of the above. Regardless of our identities, we exist in in-between spaces while also trying to fit into the dominant culture. With a foot in multiple worlds, belonging fully to none, it can be hard to just fit in, let alone find belonging.
     Dr. Han Ren, licensed psychologist and a Hyphenate herself, offers solutions for those with intersectional identities who want to fully express who they are across environments. The Hyphenated Life is an inside-out excavation of how existing in marginalized bodies affects the ways folks show up in dominant culture and predominantly white spaces. For Hyphenates seeking to move from the margins to exploring their growth edges, within these pages, you’ll find:
  • perspectives for people with diverse backgrounds and multiple identities to understand themselves more fully,
  • frameworks for those who hold dominant identities and privilege, to better understand the invisible battles their peers face,
  • action-oriented exercises and reflection questions to support identity exploration and integration
     With evidence-based tools, stories, conversations, and insights, The Hyphenated Life will resonate with anyone who is navigating the intricacies of their multicultural, intersectional identity development.

Genre:

  • “Instead of another narrow self-help framework to squeeze into, The Hyphenated Life helps you inhabit the richness of all the identities and roles you hold.”
    Alyson Stoner, award-winning entertainer, founder/CEO of Movement Genius, New York Times bestselling author of Semi-Well-Adjusted, and certified mental health practitioner
  • “This book fills an essential hole. With clarity and care, Dr. Han Ren offers a deeply grounded and accessible guide through terrain that is often oversimplified or ignored altogether. It is a rare combination: intellectually rigorous and emotionally resonant.”
    Laura Danger, educator and author of No More Mediocre: A Call to Reimagine Our Relationships and Demand More
  • "In The Hyphenated Life, Dr. Han Ren offers us a profound exploration of what it means to navigate the in-between spaces between cultures, expectations, and self. It is a moving guide for finding wholeness in our hyphens.”
    Natalie Y. Gutierrez, LMFT, author of The Pain We Carry & The Pain We Carry Workbook
  • “In The Hyphenated Life, Dr. Han Ren expertly synthesizes personal and professional experience to offer readers a powerful new way of understanding themselves and others. Her gift for simplifying complex ideas in a relatable and meaningful way is on display as she unpacks the 'too much, not enough' beliefs that are often described by those holding multiple marginalized identities.”
    Annie Farmer, PhD, licensed psychologist, Epstein survivor, advocate and educator for child sexual abuse and exploitation
  • “Dr. Han Ren will help you to learn more about building a strong relationship with yourself and others through her story.”
    Dr. Raquel Martin, licensed clinical psychologist, scientist, professor, podcast host, content creator

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Han Ren

About the Author

Dr. Han Ren is a proud Hyphenated human and professional—licensed clinical and school psychologist, speaker, educator, content creator, author, 1.5-generation Chinese-American immigrant, neurodivergent mind, mother, partner, and only child (which explains a lot).
     Rooted in anti-oppressive liberation psychology, Dr. Ren works from an interpersonal, culturally humble, and systems-informed framework. She is committed to making mental health accessible and resonant, especially for historically overlooked communities. Through her widely viewed social media content, she translates complex psychological concepts into everyday wisdom with humor and compassion. Her work centers fellow Hyphenates, helping those who live between cultures, identities, and expectations move from the margins toward their own growth edges.
     Dr. Ren earned a doctorate in child clinical and school psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, a master of education in special education from the University of Houston, and a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Michigan. A lifelong educator, she has served as an adjunct professor at UT Austin and began her career teaching pre-K special education in a Title 1 school as part of Teach for America.
     Her work has been featured on the TEDx stage, the Headspace app, NPR, Healthline, and other major media outlets. Whether she’s supporting clients, teaching workshops, or giving keynote talks, Dr. Ren brings a blend of clinical expertise, cultural attunement, humor, and deep commitment to collective healing and community care.
     Outside of work, you’ll find Han traveling to explore new food scenes, seeking out sunshine, and dancing (enthusiastically and offbeat) to live music. She lives in Austin, Texas, where she coleads Pivot Psychology Austin, a group private practice dedicated to inclusive and affirming care.

Learn more about this author