Strength In Our Uniqueness
Happiness From The Margins
Are you tired of explaining to people who you are? Do you have stress-related symptoms from coping with discrimination? When you talk to people about it, do they tell you to “get over it” something they have never experienced?
It can be frustrating living in environments that don’t affirm your existence and even try to see the worst in you. We are definitely in grim and frightening times. The good thing is that struggle can be our strength. At the same time, we need to allow ourselves to experience softness and happiness.
History, social studies, and psychology tell us that the more we understand our roots and how our ancestors overcame obstacles the better we are equipped to support our own healing.
Finding Your Voice
I wrote my Master’s Thesis on Black Student’s Classroom Silence in Predominantly White Institutions of Higher Education. The research showed Black students participated more when teachers were aware of differences in power and cultural competence. Black students were also more engaged in diverse classrooms.
So, the bottom line is that mental health is inextricably linked with our surroundings. The more social stressors and burdens you carry, the worse your mental health is. It is plain and simple. The key is finding the strength to keep yourself in good spirits while confronting the many hardships that get thrown your way. Sometimes the answer is simply finding someone who shares your struggles, speaks your language literally and figuratively. Sometimes this involves studying more, drawing from the gifts of previous writers, poets, academics, freedom fighters.
Common Questions
Have you worked with diverse groups of people?
I have worked with families who adopted children from foster care, from private adoptions, with LGBTQ+ parents, parents of low socioeconomic status, families with mixed legal statuses, Spanish-speaking families, and Haitian-Creole-speaking families. I have worked one-on-one, in dyads, and in larger groups. Sometimes you need someone who can understand where you’re coming from, and that makes a difference. Believe me, I know. Sometimes people complain about therapists making them feel like they’re under a microscope, peering at them from a distance. That approach does not work for everyone. In my view, the best work comes when you have established a relationship built on shared understanding and respect. As a therapist once said, “My style is that I’m going to be in the room with you.” That is my approach as well. We will be working through the concerns together.
Will you understand me? I’m not sure therapy is for me.
Unfortunately, sometimes people come to me with stories of feeling judged, undervalued, not listened to, even by other therapists. It can be hard to put the effort in, especially if it has not always gone well. We can set up a free call to talk it through.
With my own history of being seen as an “other,” I have been in the same position asking that same question. My commitment to social justice and cultural competence guides me to do better, to read more, to listen more, and try harder. This does not mean that I cannot commit a mistake, it does mean that I am open to working towards a good working relationship where you can make gains in improving your emotional health.
How do you work with diverse populations?
Cultural competence is important to me. Cultural competence,
“ accommodates clients’ beliefs and practices, preferred languages, individual and family histories, differences in symptoms, and preferred approaches to treatment” (SAMHSA, 2016).
I have made it one of my life goals to increase my cultural competence in significant ways. In 2016, I decided to move to Peru to immerse myself in Spanish, as I loved the language and knew that as a clinical who speaks Spanish, I could serve many families who faced long waitlists. I gained first-hand experience of what people mean by “cultural differences” where many aspects of my worldview were challenged by integrating entirely different ways of understanding customs, voice inflections, and greetings all became new terrain. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to live in Peru for 6 years and become fluent in Spanish. I am committed to serving Spanish-speaking people and consider it an honor to provide therapy in Spanish.
Blog
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What Is Cultural Competence?
Read about humility, sharing power, and empathy.
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Serving the Latinoax Population in Massachusetts
Read about the needs of Latino (a,x) people in Massachusetts in terms of mental health and linguistic support.
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I Want a Snickers Bar, I Don't Want Dark Chocolate
Read about colorism in the foster and adoption system.
Reach out
If you are ready to go deep into your healing, find a supportive place, and grow into the self you want, reach out and contact me. I know it is hard to ask for help sometimes, and life seems too busy to take time for oneself. Remember that every little bit you can do for your own healing and peace will reverberate throughout your community.