How To Find Latinx Therapy Services And Mental Health Professionals
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Talk therapy is usually most effective when the client feels seen and affirmed in their unique identity and experiences. The same is true for people who identify as Latinx or Hispanic. Here, we’ll explore what culturally competent therapy can look like for members of this community and how to find a therapist who can offer personalized, effective therapy services.
What is therapy?
Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is a type of mental health service. It typically involves the client meeting with a specially trained, licensed mental health professional, like a therapist or counselor. Using any of hundreds of different therapy approaches, the provider can guide a conversation that helps the client process their feelings and experiences, address mental health symptoms, and cultivate healthy coping skills.
A person may attend therapy for a few months to address a specific concern, or they may build a years-long therapeutic relationship that helps them cope with life’s challenges as they arise. Research suggests that as many as 75% of people who attend therapy gain some benefit from it.
What therapy can help with
Virtually anyone has the potential to benefit from engaging in talk therapy with a licensed mental health professional. For example, it can be helpful for people who need support with the following:
- Managing symptoms of a mental health condition, from depression to bipolar disorder to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Processing difficult or traumatic experiences
- Learning healthy ways to cope with life's challenges and difficult emotions
- Managing relationship conflict
- Coping with grief or major life transitions
- Cultivating positive habits and self-help techniques that can support mental well-being today
- Exploring their identity
- Engaging in personal growth
If you need emotional support and aren’t sure where to turn, meeting with a therapist can be a positive step forward.
Common types of therapy
There are hundreds of therapy modalities, each with a different framework for helping clients with a different type of challenge. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people identify and shift distorted thoughts that may be contributing to concerns like depression or low self-esteem. Motivational interviewing is often used to treat individuals who are living with substance use disorder. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) can be used by a trauma therapist to help people process traumatic experiences. You can look for a therapist who offers a specific modality, or you can meet with any therapist you feel comfortable with and get their recommendation.
Exploring definitions and terminology in the Hispanic community
There is some debate around terminology and scope when it comes to Latinx, Latine, Latino, Latina, or Hispanic people in the US today. In general, these terms are understood to apply to people who trace their heritage to Spain or Latin America, according to a Pew Research article. This can include people with roots in places like Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and many others. The language most often associated with this broad group of populations is Spanish, but hundreds or more are spoken by people from this large region, including a wealth of Indigenous languages.
The same Pew article also notes that, “In the eyes of the Census Bureau, Hispanics can be of any race, because ‘Hispanic’ is an ethnicity and not a race.” It goes on to report, however, that this is a debated topic, even among individuals who identify as such, with almost half of Hispanic adults surveyed saying it’s about culture, 30% saying it’s about ancestry, and 17% saying it’s about race.
Finally, it can be important to reference ongoing discussions within this community about terminology. Different community members have different opinions about which terms they prefer, or which should be widely used. One term that has often been debated in recent years is “Latinx,” which is believed to have been coined in an attempt to offer a gender-neutral alternative to “Latino” or “Latina.” However, as of a separate 2023 Pew Research article, “Most Latinos who are aware of the term Latinx say it should not be used to describe the U.S. Hispanic or Latino population (75%).”
- 52% report that they prefer the term “Hispanic”
- 29% report that they prefer the term “Latino”
- 2% report that they prefer “Latinx”
- 1% report that they prefer “Latine”
- 15% have no preferred term
To respect these varying preferences, the above terms will be used interchangeably here.
The mental health landscape for Hispanic people in the US
As with any group, Hispanic people are not a monolith, and each individual in this richly diverse community has their own unique mental health experiences and needs. That said, many Hispanic individuals share certain types of experiences that can affect their mental health. Below are some examples of these:
- Generational trauma and other mental health impacts of colonization and forced migration
- Racism and xenophobia
- Pressure to culturally assimilate in the US
- Loneliness and disconnection from culture
- Stress about immigration or citizenship
- Language barriers
- Systemic barriers to achieving economic stability, receiving quality education and healthcare, and meeting other basic needs
In addition, Latino people with intersecting identities—such as Hispanic people who are also women, LGBTQIA+, disabled, biracial, or who hold other marginalized identities—often face additional challenges.
Mental health statistics about Latino/a people
Reviewing statistics can be key to understanding the broader mental health landscape for Latine people in the United States. Consider the following:
- Around 17% of Hispanic people in the US currently live in poverty. Poverty itself can be a form of trauma, and it can also increase other risk factors for mental health challenges.
- The suicide rate among Latino people increased from 5.7 per 100,000 people in 2011 to 7.9 per 100,000 people as of 2021.
- Research from 2019 indicates that 20% of Latinos reported experiencing discrimination in healthcare settings, and 17% reported avoiding seeking healthcare due to anticipated discrimination.
- According to one study of Latino youth who had lived in the US for less than three years, two-thirds reported having experienced at least one traumatic event during migration.
- Substance misuse (binge drinking, smoking, using illicit drugs, misusing prescription medications) as a coping mechanism tends to be more common among Latine adults with mental health conditions compared to their white counterparts.
What is Latinx therapy?
The concept of culturally competent therapy
The concept of cultural competence—also called cultural responsiveness, cultural attunement, or cultural sensitivity—in therapy is core to a discussion of Latinx therapy and mental health in the Hispanic community. In the context of mental health, the American Psychological Association defines cultural competence as “the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from different cultures,” which “usually involves a recognition of the diversity both between and within cultures, a capacity for cultural self-assessment, and a willingness to adapt personal behaviors and practice.”
In other words, it’s about the therapist respecting each client’s culture and taking into account how this culture and the way they are treated in the world because of it may impact their mental health and treatment. A culturally competent therapist who treats a Hispanic client typically aims to understand the unique culture they come from, if they do not share it, and how it affects their experiences and well-being.
Without cultural competence, a person may not feel safe or comfortable sharing their true thoughts and feelings. This can prevent the building of a strong client-therapist relationship, which is considered essential for an effective therapy experience.
The need for bilingual therapy services
As mentioned above, people who belong to the Latino community may speak any of a number of languages, including but not limited to Spanish. Spanish is now the second-most spoken language in the United States, with an estimated 42 million people who speak Spanish at home. While there is much linguistic diversity within this group, many in this number do not speak English or do not feel comfortable speaking English, especially when it comes to describing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a therapy setting.
The United Nations recognizes language rights as human rights. Your preferred language(s) can shape the way you think about yourself and your experiences, as well as the way you see the world. Having talk therapy in the language you feel most comfortable with can be a key component of receiving effective, supportive care.
The shortage of bilingual therapy services in the US, including Latinx therapy services
There’s currently a shortage of therapists in many areas of the United States—especially of bilingual therapists and therapists who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), which includes Hispanic therapists. Despite almost 20% of the US population being Latine, only 8% of therapists are. Especially when combined with other factors, like systemic barriers to receiving healthcare in general, this can make it more difficult for some Hispanic people to receive quality mental health care that meets their needs.
How to find Latine and culturally competent mental health professionals
Despite the fact that more Latino/Latina and bilingual therapists are needed to serve the US population, it’s still possible to find culturally competent therapy for this population. There are many resources dedicated to helping people find a therapist who suits their needs and preferences, some of which also offer free or sliding-scale services. For members of the Hispanic community, some of these include the following:
- Latinx Therapy
- Melanin and Mental Health
- Latinx Therapists Action Network
- United We Dream
- The Alejandre Foundation
- Therapy In Color
- National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network
In addition, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health offers a helpline through which a representative can help callers navigate the health system, which can include finding a therapist or navigating a national directory.
Finding a therapist through online therapy
As of 2022, 47 million people in the US were living in a mental health provider shortage area. Those who are having trouble finding a therapist who meets their needs nearby might consider exploring the option of online therapy. With a platform like BetterHelp, this involves getting matched and then meeting with a licensed therapist remotely, from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Whether it will be your first appointment or you’ve worked with a therapist before, a BetterHelp provider can help you feel comfortable and welcome.
Potential benefits of online therapy
Online therapy means that you're not restricted to the providers that practice near you. It's also a more convenient format for many people, such as those who are unable to commute to and from regular in-person therapy appointments. Plus, online therapy can be more affordable than traditional in-person sessions without insurance.
Research on the effectiveness of working with online mental health professionals
There are many studies available that suggest that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating conditions like anxiety and depression. In other words, you can typically feel confident in the quality of care you'll receive, whether you join a trauma therapist or another type of provider for a session, face-to-face or virtually.
Takeaway
Why is Latinx therapy important?
Therapy can be the first step toward mental wellness, enhanced relationships, and even improved physical health. However, when a person’s therapist or clinical psychologist doesn’t speak their preferred language or have knowledge about their cultural background, it can be challenging to make progress and provide guidance that resonates.
When a Hispanic individual is able to work with a culturally competent Latinx therapist, or when any individual is able to access therapy with a professional who understands their culture, outcomes often improve. For example, concerns about immigration status may be common among certain populations. A therapist who isn’t knowledgeable about these concerns may not be able to provide effective support.
An initial consultation with a professional can allow the client and therapist to discuss their goals and get a sense of whether they can build a strong therapeutic bond. In general, this therapeutic bond is crucial for healing to occur, and it may be particularly important in the case of trauma therapy, where a sense of trust is often necessary.
Culturally competent professionals can also help destigmatize mental health in cultures where there tends to be a greater stigma. Showing children and adults that they matter and that others are interested in helping them achieve their goals for the future can be powerful. Individuals seeking Latinx therapy may begin by exploring resources like the Latinx Therapists Action Network, an organization with a mission to provide a directory of Latinx mental health professionals with various specialties.
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