“Floja, levantete!!!” your parents shout to you in the hopes that they’ve given you the blind burst of motivation you needed to seize the day. Little do they know, the mentality you’re having that morning is cementing you to your bed. How do you tell them that you had spent the night crying about how much of a failure you’ve been feeling? You know they’ll beat around the bush and tell you, “Mija, no cierto! You’ve been doing great,” then go about their day.
In Latinx family and culture, a conversation about mental health is often neglected. Moreover, the idea of seeking the “t” word is seen as dramatico and unnecessary. Here at Ms. Informed Latina, we understand. We aim to kick such vagueness and stigma aside! And push solace to the idea of having an open discussion on mental health and seeking THERAPY (say it loud and proud, mija!). Hence, we’ve chosen to take it upon ourselves to provide you with the support and resources you need to find healing.
Therapy Types
Before jumping to the first “therapist” your suegra recommends to you — which in time, actually turns out to be her friends-sisters-priest…You should do some investigation for yourself. Just like with a dating app, your main goal is to find someone that is of the best fit for you and your needs. Determine what kind of healing you need and locate licensed, long-term professionals with expertise in your precise predicament.
There are four kinds of healers to deliberate upon:
- Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are fitted with diagnosing and treating people with a severe mental illness. They are one of the most difficult and priciest healers to find, due to a nationwide shortage of them. A patient might seek a psychiatrist if their condition requires a medical prescription, psychological treatment (psychotherapy or talking therapy) or brain stimulation.
- Psychologists and Social Workers
Psychologists possess a doctoral degree in psychology. Although they’re not licensed to prescribe medication, they can still provide psychological treatment (psychotherapy or talking therapy) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which entails a careful analysis of your behavior. Additionally, they can examine IQ’s and personalities through various assessments.
Likewise, social workers are not licensed to prescribe medicine but can provide psychotherapy and CBT as well. They are generally trained to conduct community intervention and offer casework. Furthermore, they manage social services agencies/organizations and work to improve social conditions through advocacy.
- Counselors
A counselor is a person that can provide guidance in any personal, social and psychological matters. Generally, they concentrate more on interpreting work or school-related problems.
- Marriage and Family
If you’re dealing with marital or familial relationship problems, then you might want to consider seeking a therapist that focuses on resolving such conflict. Usually, these counseling services are short-term and conducted in groups or pairs.
Speed Dating
Siguente paso! So you should have spent some time browsing your numerous options. Now is the chance to start “speed dating” with some of the therapists available to you. Go to your search engine and peruse through those within your area. Determining the type of healing you need is one thing, but there is more to finding the right therapist. You should consider who you feel comfortable with, do you feel comfortable with someone who is:
- LGBTQ friendly
- Women/Man
- Spiritual
- Religious
Then, schedule a few sessions with the one you truly think is most suitable (in terms of cost too). If the first therapy sessions feel uncomfortable, do not worry. It typically happens. Give them a few more chances. If discomfort persists and you notice an inconsistency in their behavior, consider switching. Continue doing that until you feel you have found the right one. Recuerda, this is a process! If you’re unsure about your therapist, ask them: what strategy do they have for future sessions? In order to get a feel of their method.
If you’re a student, your search for a therapist can be arranged easily. Start by setting up an appointment with your college psychological/counseling services. If there is a high demand (sometimes there is) the likelihood of having a session is very slim. As a result, you may be added to a waiting list. A way to work around this is by requesting to be referred to a therapist that takes insurance within your area. You can also inquire for a case manager. Case managers are social workers that can meet with you and match you with a therapist in a timely manner.
Other resources
The ambiguity and uncertainty of COVID-19 or life, in general, can come as an anxiety and stressful inducing experience for some. It’s important that we take this opportunity to learn how to appropriately cope with our emotions. Having said that, if you are in danger of seriously harming yourself, mentally and physically, and are in need of immediate assistance — we encourage you to refer to the following resources:
General Resources
- National Suicide Prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255
- LA County Department of Mental Health: Emergency or Non-Emergency, 1-800-854-7771
refer here for an expansive list of hotlines and programs.
COVID-19 Resources for L.A. County
For most, therapy isn’t a quick or available process. It involves a lot of your time and energy to obtain the guidance you need. Although the process is difficult, you shouldn’t let it deter you from pursuing such a resource. It’s time we put an end to the stigma! And welcome the idea of seeking help and discussing mental health.
Best of luck on your journey! Estamos aqui para ti <3
