S2.E4. - Therapy Isn’t a Dirty Word – Why Latinos Deserve to Heal Too

Why is therapy still treated like a dirty little secret in so many Latino households? In this episode, Melisa and Christy sit down with Dr. Lisette Sanchez—a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, writer, international speaker, and founder of Calathea Wellness, a virtual platform for first-gen professionals.

Raised in Southern California by Salvadoran and Mexican immigrant parents, Dr. Lisette brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the convo. Together, we unpack:

• Why therapy is still taboo in our families
• How silence, guilt, and “aguántate” culture impact mental health
• The power of tears as medicine
• Boundaries as survival + liberation

This one is real, raw, and necessary for anyone who’s ever been told therapy “isn’t for us.” Healing is for all of us—and it starts when we stop whispering and start talking.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction + Welcome
01:18 – Catching Up and Life Updates
04:26 – Meet Dr. Lisette Sanchez
07:54 – Therapy Experiences and Cultural Stigmas
39:02 – The Power of Tears
42:37 – Navigating Family Dynamics
47:05 – Boundaries as Love Language
01:06:22 – Spicy Questions + Closing

Links on the Science of Tears:

The Chemistry of Tears by SciPlanet - https://www.bibalex.org/SCIplanet/en/Article/Details?id=19105

All About Emotional Tears by American Academy of Opthamology - https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/all-about-emotional-tears

About Dr. Lisette Sanchez:
Dr. Lisette is a bilingual and bicultural psychologist, international speaker, writer, and founder of Calathea Wellness, where she supports first-gen professionals navigating identity, belonging, and intergenerational healing. Whether through therapy, writing, or public speaking, she helps individuals transform cultural complexity into clarity, pride, and purpose.

Follow Dr. Lisette:
🌐 Website: calatheawellness.com
📲 Instagram: @thefirstgenpsychologist
💼 LinkedIn: thefirstgenpsychologist
📺 YouTube: @thefirstgenpsychologist

Connect with Us:
📱 IG + YouTube: @mybrainestaspicy
💌 [e-mail]

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