Seeking therapy for the first time is not easy, especially for communities that come from cultures that stigmatize therapy. The first time I went to my first session at 20 years old, I had immense guilt because we are supposed to keep problems “en la familia.”  I am now a therapist and created the Latinx Therapy Directory as a way to make therapy with a Latine provider more accessible and bring information through a relatable lens. Today, 15 Latinx Therapy directory colleagues share their tips for people seeking therapy for the first time.

Here are some words of advice about the consultation process:

Kenia Ipina, LMFT at Flourishing Insight Therapy shares that building trust will be the focus of the start of your therapy. “[The therapist] will take time to get to know you by asking questions to complete an assessment. Some topics include your family’s history, history of your symptoms, communities, relationships, health, and strengths. You are not required to tell [the therapist] everything on the first day. Building trust takes time, following your body’s signals in sharing information. You know yourself best and what is too much to share.”

Dr. Teresa Serrano, LMFT at Hope Wellness Counseling summarizes the assessment and encourages you to be honest during this phase:

“Therapy can be anxiety-driven, but please [know], this is a safe space for you to share your thoughts and feelings without judgment. In the first session, we will explore current challenges followed by what you are hoping to achieve in services. If at any point you do not feel heard, please let [your provider] know, no offense taken. I, [as your provider], rather know something is not working for you so we can review and find best practices for you or explore if we are not a good match.”

Patty Munoz, Counseling & Therapy founder suggests to do at least three consultations with different therapists before committing to a therapist “to ask their therapy questions or concerns” and reminds us that “No question is ever wrong.”

Within the consultation process, Dr. Janice Castro of J.C. Psychological Services normalizes that it takes time and patience: “Don’t give up if it isn’t a good match with the first therapist you meet with. You figure out if it’s a good match when you notice yourself feeling comfortable, trusting, and safe with the therapist. Research has shown that the relationship between therapist and client is one of the most important factors for therapy outcomes.” She also points out that each therapist has different therapy styles. Some therapists can specialize in talk therapy approaches, while others may use a blend, or modalities with minimal speaking in therapy. Asking about what you can expect in therapy is crucial.

I know finding the right therapist for you can be a time consuming and energy-draining process, but it is crucial for not just your long-term mental health but to ease your process in healing from challenging emotions and sensations that can come up in therapy. Interviewing various therapists in normal.

Below are some words of wisdom about the first sessions:

Budy Whitfield of Beauteous Mind, LCSW PLLC validates the importance of the connection with your provider: “The first few sessions [providers] try to connect through what we call rapport building. It’s a way of getting to know you so that we can align our treatment approach to meet your needs.”

April Mayorga LMFT of Mayorga Psychotherapy Inc. shares that “it is normal to feel nervous about not knowing what to talk about in therapy or how to start a session. Your therapist will guide or prompt the conversation based on your collaborative goals and presenting concerns.” After the assessment, each provider will understand the goals you are trying to achieve in the therapeutic space. These goals will help guide your healing process.

Moreover, within therapy sessions, it’s normal to consider bringing comfort items. Maribel Robles, LMFT of Hermanas Wholistic Counseling actually encourages people to “bring an item or a drink (non-alcoholic) that makes [clients] feel comforted and/or happy.” She shares that “going to therapy for the first time is such an important and scary step and by bringing a special item or drink they can feel more relaxed and tap into the many resources [clients] already use to care for themselves.” Robles expresses the following to her clients “You are the expert in your life, I am here for support and guidance along the way.”

 “Most people, myself included, feel a little bit anxious about how the first meeting will go–its normal! Remember it’s a new relationship, and just like any new relationship, it might take a little bit to feel like this is a place to soften and just be. Be proud that you took the first step, because it’s all for you!” – Andrea Bayon LCSW, Mar y Sol Wellness

Sabrina Viramonte, LCSW acknowledges the duality of emotions in the therapy space. Viramonte, the founder of Conscious Healing Therapy says “It’s okay to laugh and cry in the same session, we welcome all emotions and understand how intimidating and anxiety-inducing meeting someone new can be. We’re just happy you’re here!”

There will be a wide range of emotions you feel, especially after the first 3 sessions, in my opinion. My colleague, Roslyn Guzman, founder of Therapy R & R LCSW, wants you to know that “It is totally ok to feel raw and vulnerable after meeting with a therapist for the first time. After all, you just disclosed intimate parts of yourself with a new person- think of it as getting emotionally naked with someone.” Guzman also says “remember you are going against what’s engrained in many of our cultures “what happens at home, stays at home”, so it will bring up different feelings at first. You got this.”

Lupe Nambo-Basua, LMFT at Luna Counseling acknowledges the importance of celebrating our process in therapy: “It’s absolutely okay to discuss your joy and celebrate your wins during therapy sessions. Naturally, people might think that they can only focus on the negative or the things that are going bad in their lives, and I like to gently remind folks that there is room for all of the emotions on the spectrum.”

It’s also OK if you don’t know what you want to talk about. Therapy is your space, and you can show up however you need to. You don’t have to have a plan for what to talk about; often, your therapist will create a space for you to express yourself naturally, and you will talk about the things that you need to explore at that time.”

Stephanie Del Chiaro, LMFT comments that “after a few sessions, you may notice how well you work together” and to “be aware of the desire to present like a “good client” [because] we like the messy stuff!  There’s no way you “should” come in [to therapy].”

To add to this “good client” point, Viridiana Zendejas, LCSW from Generaciones Counseling acknowledges that first-gens, eldest children, or those who had to prioritize others’ needs before their own may need this reminder: “Don’t worry about being the perfect client. Your ability to attend to others reactions and needs may have come from a place of survival and safety. You may feel inclined to take care of your therapist – due to this skill you had to learn. However, in your therapy session, you will learn to redirect this attentiveness to your own reactions and your own needs. The sessions are for YOU!”

In the case that you notice that you are not aligning with the therapist, Del Chiaro recommends to bring it up to your therapist, “It’s ok, we won’t get offended. Odds are, if it’s not us, we might just be able to point you in the direction of a better fit!”

Alejandra Mackulin, a Counseling Intern of Larada Counseling Services, LLC wants you to know that “it’s not easy to ask for help. The fact that you [made it to therapy] is already a HUGE step. The therapist is not going to judge you, they probably have already heard it before or have personally experienced it.” This is true. Many of us especially in the Latinx Therapy Directory are cycle breakers and are some of the firsts in our families to go therapy to address generationally rooted issues, and it IS a big deal.

“Going to therapy doesn’t mean you are weak or a failure. Therapy is for humans and the courageous. It is an investment of your time, efforts, resources, energy, and ability to tolerate discomfort and be vulnerable. There is no need for concealing, disguising, or pretending. If anything, therapy is THE place to bring in all the good, bad, and terrible things that have happened to you. All parts of you are welcome” says founder of Revive Life Counseling, Carmen Montenegro-Sis, LMFT.

Find your Latinx Therapist today: https://latinxtherapy.com/find-a-therapist

Editors: Patricia Hernandez, LCSW and Jasmin Ruelas.