As a Latina therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA), and advocate for mental health, I embark on this exploration of the intersection between mental well-being, community activism, and personal advocacy within the Free Palestine movement. In this blog post, I look at not only the significance of mental health within this context but also why engaging in advocacy can be profoundly beneficial for individual well-being.

I understand the unique challenges people with intersecting marginalized identities face, both individually and within the larger systems we exist within. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “magic cure” or “quick fix.” Being a human can be difficult. However, there are adaptive ways to ease the symptoms of burnout, and over time, it is possible to recover from it. In this blog post, we will look at the complexities of burnout and explore strategies to cope with it on both personal and systemic levels.

Resilience is a remarkable quality that empowers us to overcome life's obstacles, learn from setbacks, and continue moving forward. It's a strength we should all cultivate and celebrate. However, there's an important conversation we need to have about the unfair burden of resilience placed on certain groups, particularly those who hold identities that have been marginalized, like women and people of color, and the vital role of authentic connections in alleviating this burden. Read more here…

(Picture of Frida Kahlo’s ofrenda from an exhibit)

The veil is thinning, y’all, and Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is right around the corner! No, it is not “Mexican Halloween.” Día de los Muertos is a sacred celebration deeply rooted in pre-colonization Mexican and Latine cultures. It may seem like an unlikely topic for a discussion on mental health, but the connection between this tradition, our ancestors, and our emotional well-being is pretty deep. I am excited to dive into Dia de los Muertos and its significance for our mental health.

Hi, Amiges!

As a therapist and a person on my own healing journey, I find it essential to explore the different ways we can take care of our mental health and promote a sense of connection to ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and our ancestors. One beautiful avenue to achieve this is through rituals, which can take many forms and serve multiple functions. Today, I want to celebrate the power of rituals, understanding how they can be vital tools for self-care and mental well-being in our challenging and ever-changing world. Don’t worry, I’ll sprinkle some examples throughout the post.

Let me start by saying that the topic of microaggressions annoys me. Not all "microaggressions" are "micro," and furthermore, they suck. The onus of accountability, irradicating them, etc., should be on the people who cultivate the cultures where they persist. With that said, they happen, so I'm writing about it. They are a daily reality for so many in the workplace, social situations, and sometimes, even in therapy, and they can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being. So what are they, and how do we shield against them?

It’s Domestic Violence Awareness month, and in the vast and intricate landscape of mental health and well-being, it is crucial to address the issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) through an intersectional and systemic lens, particularly within communities that have been historically marginalized. Let’s look at some info, take a moment to reflect, and do what we need to do to find some individual and collective healing in this world. 

"Happy Latinx Heritage Month to anyone that was told they weren't 'Latina/x enough.'" The meme pictured for this entry from @hijadetumadre on Instagram inspired me to dive into this topic for Hispanic Heritage Month. For many within this community, myself included, this month can also bring to light the complex and often challenging emotions associated with the feeling of not belonging or the feeling of "ni de aquí, ni de allá" — not quite from here, nor from there. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of this feeling on mental health and offer strategies to cope with it during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.

Look at how gorgeous my community is! I am thrilled to introduce you to Alegría Counseling, a space where joy is an act of resistance. My name is Paulina, and I specialize in helping women and femme-identifying adults who grapple with the myriad pressures of society, family, relationships, and the workplace.