How I work with Latino clients as a Latina therapist in Virginia
What the research says about Latino mental health and therapy outcomes
Research shows that Latino clients, and immigrant and second-generation clients broadly, are most likely to withdraw from therapy within the first five sessions, often because they feel misunderstood.
That’s why it’s so helpful to have a Latina, bilingual therapist who can truly understand your experiences.
As a native Spanish-speaking therapist of Latino descent, I recognize the value of having a culturally matched therapist who is familiar with the specific, varied and complex experiences of Latino families.
Muecas, familismo, respeto
In my home, we grew up with muecas, unique facial expressions that can speak volumes, and we learned the importance of code switching and acculturation. Telenovelas were entertainment, and familismo and respeto were highly emphasized in our home.
In therapy, cultura is an important factor for me and is not only welcomed, it’s shared.
Celebrating our complex identities
In my work with Latino clients, I hold space for these experiences of biculturality, and help us celebrate our complex identities. We’ll talk about family, culture, and experience, along with your feelings and ways of understanding yourself and the world.
Beyond my personal experiences, I have worked in Latino communities and focused my doctoral research on challenges for Latino students in the public school system.
Some topics that tend to come up in therapy:
Ethnic identity development
Navigating multiple cultures
Code switching
Relationships with family and respect for tradition, juxtaposed against desire to “modernize” or assimilate
My goal is to create a safe space to discuss your cultural identity, and experiences of multigenerational trauma, immigration and migration stories, and the challenges of straddling a bicultural world.
In addition, I’m experienced in treating
Anxiety (panic attacks, OCD, perfectionism)
Depression (Thinking disorders, negative cognitive loops, mood disorders)
Trauma/PTSD
Relationship issues (codependency, conflict, communication, trust)
ADHD
Suicidal thought patterns
Parenting (teenagers, loss of respect, loss of motivation, kids with special needs)
Family conflict
Women’s Issues (Hormonal Imbalances, Chronic Illness, PMDD, Menopause, Mom Rage)
Life Transitions
Frequently Asked Questions
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We meet weekly for 45 minutes and focus on your goals and concerns.
With regular attendance, research shows that most clients experience improvement within 10-15 sessions, but often we continue past this to deepen and integrate the learning.
Therapy varies client to client and we can discuss this more when we meet.
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I currently function as an out-of-network provider. I’m happy to provide you with the appropriate paperwork to submit for out-of-network reimbursement, if your insurance honors this.
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45-minute session: $200
Psychological intake/evaluation: $250Payment for each session is expected to be rendered at the time of the service. Accepted methods of payment include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and Discover. FSA and HSA cards are also accepted. Autopay is available.
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Psychotherapy is considered healthcare and our sessions are completely confidential. There are some exceptions to this that relate to safety, and we will discuss this in our consultation call.
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Yes! This is a normal feeling, but most people feel much better after their first session.
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Schedule a 15-minute free consultation with me, during which time we’ll learn more about what’s bringing you in, and discuss my fees, availability and a plan. If it feels like a good match we can schedule our first session.
I’m looking forward to supporting you.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to determine whether I’m a good fit for you.