Latinx Therapy Shame Is Still Very Real: How To Shake It Off And Begin Your Therapy Journey

Now that we’re adults, we realize there were gaps in conversations we had with our Latinx parents. For many of us it was almost a sin to bring up sex, money was un asunto ajeno, and therapy era para locos. Many of us were taught to keep family matters private, to stay strong through hardship, and to aguantarnos rather than seek help. Fortunately today, our peers are actively challenging those ideas and embracing therapy as healing tool that is powerful—not weakening.

Still, shaking off the shame isn’t always easy. Healthy Vibras spoke with licensed marriage and family therapist April Mayorga who works with Latinx clients to better understand the emotional roadblocks that can come up—and how to navigate them with confidence.

For many Latinxs, seeking mental health support carries an additional burden of shame due to cultural factors

Within the Latinx community, admitting you need help is sometimes seen as a sign of weakness and an admission of failure. When your parents have sacrificed so much for you, how can you not be completely happy?

It may feel like a very “First World” problem to admit to your parents, who have worked multiple jobs, that you’re depressed. We were taught to be strong, valiant, and never give up, but there is only so much echándole ganas you can put into a situation before you implode.

“Stigma, accessibility, and a lack of culturally inclusive practices” are some of the biggest challenges Latinx people face when searching for a therapist, Mayorga told Healthy Vibras.

The stigma can show up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways: from fearing judgment by a therapist who may not understand your background, to dealing with criticism from family members who see therapy as a betrayal or a sign that you’re crazy.

“I’ve had clients whose family members feel ‘betrayed’ because a member of their family has sought out therapy,” Mayorga shares. “There’s this deeply rooted belief in not sharing personal or family struggles with outsiders.”

But the truth is, therapy isn’t about telling your therapist the family chisme—it’s about healing wounds that often go ignored. Fortunately, more Latinx people are realizing that internalizing these issues and feelings isn’t sustainable. These feelings don’t go away as many of us would like, they cause weight that we continue to carry and may affect our performance at school, work and even our relationships.

Finding A Therapist Who Gets You

If you’re considering therapy for the first time, it’s normal to feel unsure or even anxious of where to begin. Here’s where Mayorga recommends starting:

1. Clarify what you need support with. Write down the challenges or concerns you’re facing. Think about what you’d like help resolving. It could be anything from a feeling you can’t shake off to a memory that causes you unpleasant feelings to triggers that activate anxiety and even support navigating relationships.
2. List what you value in a therapist. Think about what qualities will help you feel safe and supported—maybe that’s someone who’s Latinx, trauma-informed, warm, interactive, or has experience working with first-gen clients.
3. Ask about cultural familiarity. If culture matters to you, ask potential therapists how they incorporate cultural understanding in their practice.

It’s okay—encouraged, even—to be selective. Therapy should feel like a safe space where you can easily open up, not another place where you feel misunderstood or almost forced to speak up.

Shopping Around For A Therapist Isn’t Shameful—It’s Empowering

Many of us were raised to push through hard times silently because “no pasa nada” or to be the strong one or not to burden others. That mindset can make therapy feel unnecessary. But ignoring your mental health doesn’t make you stronger. “Toughing emotions out is a form of suppressing them,” Mayorga says. “It often leads to isolation and prolonged distress.”

Think of therapy not as a last resort, but as a proactive step toward emotional well-being. For those who have already found their therapist, shopping around is a common first step. In fact, most therapist offer free 15-minute consultations so the two of you can briefly get to know each other. Think of it as as a coffee interview or coffee date. Ask questions about what their practice is like, their specialty and their history. And when you hear your intuition tell you something, trust your gut. “Shopping around helps empower individuals to take the lead in the therapeutic process and be an active participant in treatment.”

Healing Is A Cultural Reclamation

Therapy doesn’t make you less Latinx. It doesn’t mean you’re abandoning your roots or betraying family by sharing information on an event that may have negatively impacted you. Choosing to heal—especially in a culture where that hasn’t always been encouraged—is one of the most powerful, revolutionary things you can do. You’re not just helping yourself. You’re breaking cycles, opening doors, and redefining what strength looks like for future generations.

Seeking help from someone outside isn’t a betrayal of your family. It’s us reclaiming the peace we’ve denied ourselves.