At the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, we believe that providing effective therapy requires more than just clinical expertise—it involves understanding and honoring the cultural traditions, values, and lived experiences of our clients. For many Latinx individuals, therapy can feel foreign or disconnected from their cultural upbringing, making it vital for therapists to approach each session with cultural humility and sensitivity. In this blog post, we explore key Latinx traditions and values and how they intersect with the therapeutic process.
The Importance of Familismo
Familismo, or the strong emphasis on family connections, is central to many Latinx communities. For Latinx clients, family is often the primary source of support, identity, and socialization. The needs of the family may sometimes take precedence over individual desires, which can complicate therapeutic work that focuses on individual empowerment or autonomy.
As therapists, it is essential to recognize the role of family in our clients’ lives. Rather than viewing family obligations as potential barriers to growth, we can help clients find balance between honoring familial responsibilities and pursuing personal well-being. Therapy can provide a space to explore family dynamics, resolve conflicts, and establish boundaries that support mental health while respecting cultural norms.
Respeto and Personalismo in Therapeutic Relationships
Two core Latinx values that play a significant role in therapy are respeto (respect) and personalismo (warm, interpersonal relationships). Respeto involves a hierarchical understanding of relationships, where elders and authority figures are treated with deference. This can affect the way Latinx clients engage with therapists, particularly if the therapist is perceived as an authority figure. Some clients may initially be reluctant to challenge or question the therapist's guidance out of respect.
Personalismo, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of warmth and personal connection in relationships. Latinx clients often appreciate therapists who take the time to build trust and show genuine interest in their lives beyond the therapeutic setting. For therapists, this means being intentional about creating a welcoming, friendly environment and engaging in culturally appropriate self-disclosure when it aligns with therapeutic goals.
Spirituality and Healing Traditions
Spirituality is a deeply ingrained aspect of many Latinx cultures, often woven into everyday life through practices like prayer, participation in religious rituals, and the consultation of spiritual healers (curanderos). For some clients, mental health challenges may be understood through spiritual frameworks, where symptoms are seen as manifestations of a spiritual imbalance rather than purely psychological distress.
At the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, we approach these spiritual beliefs with respect and openness. We encourage clients to integrate their spiritual or religious practices into their healing journey, recognizing that therapy does not need to be a replacement for traditional or spiritual forms of healing. In fact, therapeutic approaches like mindfulness or somatic therapies may complement these traditions, providing a bridge between spiritual and mental health care.
Machismo and Marianismo: Gender Expectations
Gender roles also play a significant role in Latinx culture, with machismo and marianismo often shaping the expectations placed on individuals socialized as men and women, respectively. Machismo emphasizes traditional masculinity, which can involve pride, stoicism, and the role of the protector. Marianismo, on the other hand, is the idealization of feminine virtues like self-sacrifice, modesty, and nurturing.
For Latinx clients, these rigid gender roles can contribute to internal conflict, relationship strain, or difficulty in expressing vulnerability. Men may struggle with emotional expression or feel pressured to maintain a façade of strength, while women may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to care for others at the expense of their own needs. In therapy, we create a safe space for clients to explore these gender expectations, challenge harmful norms, and develop healthier, more authentic expressions of gender identity.
Acculturation and Bicultural Stress
Many Latinx clients navigate the complex terrain of acculturation, balancing the values of their heritage culture with those of the dominant culture in the U.S. This process can lead to bicultural stress, where clients feel caught between competing cultural expectations. For example, a client may feel pressure to assimilate and downplay their cultural identity in certain settings, while also being expected to maintain cultural traditions at home. Therapists at the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy are trained to recognize and support clients through the acculturation process. We help clients explore their cultural identity, validate their experiences of discrimination or microaggressions, and empower them to navigate these challenges while maintaining a sense of pride in their Latinx heritage.
Therapy with Latinx Clients
Therapy with Latinx clients is most effective when it honors and incorporates their unique cultural values and traditions. At the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, we strive to create a therapeutic space that is culturally informed, intersectional, and affirming of our clients' identities. By recognizing the significance of familismo, respeto, spirituality, gender expectations, and acculturation, we can help Latinx clients heal in ways that resonate with their lived experiences.
If you're seeking therapy that understands and respects your cultural background, we invite you to connect with our culturally-affirming team of therapists. We're here to support you on your path to healing and self-discovery.
Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy
This blog post reflects the values of the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, where we are committed to providing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and affirming care to Latinx, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ adults.