Latinx Therapy is a bilingual weekly podcast that discusses mental health from a cultural and psychological perspective. Join Adriana Alejandre interview professionals that support and specialize in mental health related topics to give a sneak peek of what goes on psychologically and to give professional knowledge about myths carried on in our culture from generations ago.

Each episode will be referred to a "sesión" (a "session" in Spanish). In this introductory sesión, you will learn more about your host and what to expect on the podcast. We will release episodes on Tuesdays and the following are the various kinds of sesiónes we will be offering:

QUESTION & ANSWER Segments will be part of all episodes. Record your message on the recorder found on the website to have your question aired and/or answered. Leave your name and state if you would like for your question to air!

BREAK THE STIGMA Guest segments will feature individuals who have overcome challenges, demystified stereotypes and created a different path, in hopes of empowering listeners and bringing awareness to mental health and the Latinx culture. These segments are more so stories of strength. #BreakTheStigma episodes will air at the end of the month. 

BONUS sesiónes will be in Spanish. There is no set schedule as to when they would air but they will come out in addition to our regularly scheduled episodes, so stay tuned on our social media!

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @LatinxTherapy, and Facebook will be "Latinx Therapy" and "Counseling and Trauma Therapy." Use #latinxtherapy on social media to refer to the podcast! 

For more information and bilingual resources, visit latinxtherapy.com

La chancla, which refers to a flip flop in Spanish, is a cultural discipline style that has evolved to be very symbolic. La chancla can also refer cords, cables, the belt, hangers, any item that can be used to inflict pain as a punishment. Often, it is also a trigger word and is a form of child abuse. In this special 1-hour sesión, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Maritza Plascencia shares her personal experience with la chancla, and dives deeper with her professional knowledge about the generational differences of la chancla, the use of it in schools, when discipline crosses the line, when professionals and people need to report, why it is used and what people can do instead. 

You can find more about Maritza at www.mindfulquestrelationshipcounseling.com/ 

Instagram: @MindfulQuestRC

Facebook: Mindful Quest Counseling

Resources:

• ChildHelp: www.childhelp.org is a nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of child abuse, neglect and at-risk children.
• ChildWelfare: https://www.childwelfare.gov/ is a government site with educational resources for families and professionals
• Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA): http://www.ascasupport.org/
• A trusted guide that described child abuse in depth: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm
• Parenting Techniques: https://suzukiassociation.org/news/25-nonviolent-discipline-options/

Recursos en Español 

• Hojas Informativas y guías: https://www.childwelfare.gov/spanish/#tab=general
• Línea de Apoyo para Padres (Eng/Spa): 1-855-427-2736
• Técnicas sin Violencia para padres: www.counselingandtraumatherapy.com/tecnicassinviolencia

Books:

• The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel
• No Drama Discipline & Workbook by Dan Siegel
• Everyday Blessings by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn

In sesión 3, Peruvian Elena Apaza, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner explores with me what Bipolar Disorder truly is and what it is not. She dives into the symptoms from the two different types of Bipolar Disorder, problems with diagnosing Bipolar Disorder, how this diagnosis is seen in our Latinx culture and what people in our community do when they do not get treatment. We also answer your questions and provide you all with language to use with someone who has disclosed this diagnosis to you.  

Elena Apaza graduated from Regis College in Boston. She is an Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Practitioner currently in Massachusetts. She works in an outpatient mental health community center and a crisis stabilization unit. She specializes in mood disorders but treats many different psychiatric conditions. 

 Resources:

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: www.dbsalliance.org
• International Bipolar Foundation: www.ibpf.org/ 
• NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org/

Recursos En Español:

• NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Diverse-Communities/Latino-Mental-Health/La-salud-mental-en-la-comunidad-latina
• Línea de ayuda: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) (English, too)
• Mental Health America: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/trastorno-bipolar-lo-que-usted-necesita-saber

Let me know what you thought about today’s episode! If you have any questions for myself or Elena, contact me on my social media pages or through email at latinxtherapypodcast@gmail.com

FB: Official Latinx Therapy

IG/Twitter: @LatinxTherapy