Inspired by these wonderful Latinas @academiclatina and @becomingadoctora… because music is a rich part of our identities y cultura. 🌵🎶

I love this way of portraying our identities con orgullo y sazón. My identity as a therapist/doctora intersects with my cultura and I’m so proud to embrace my intersectionality in professional and academic spaces and show up authentically. Proud Mexicana con raíces Poblanas! 🇲🇽La cumbia sonidera was not just for cleaning pero pa’ todo lol. I mean, a party wasn’t a party unless the sonidero DJ would echo, “sssssaludos saludos saludos a la familia aaa…” 😂 (IYKYK). Now as an adult, I take my quiebraditas, cumbias, banda, corridos everywhere… 🫶🏽

My corazoncito gets so full when my students hear a song I’m playing and they ask, “Miss, you listen to that? That’s cool” and proceed with showing me their favorite songs that embrace their cultura. ❤️

Está terapeuta/doctora zapatea, da de vueltas, canta con el pecho, hace un pasito tun tun, and everything in between. 🫶🏽💃🏽

#firstgen #firstgentherapist #mexicana #daughterofimmigrants #therapist #terapeuta #latinatherapist #latina #cumbia #banda #corridos #quiebradita #cultura #applemusic #lcsw #msw #explore #palante #palantetherapy

Let’s talk about another form of generational trauma that doesn’t get much attention as it should especially within our comunidad… Los secretos en la familia (secrecy).

Secrecy is rooted in generational trauma. Our ancestors were punished for speaking truthfully. Holding secrets was based on a survival tactic stemming from colonization and disenfranchisement of communities of color.

En nuestra comunidad Latine, some of the cultural messages we have received about secrets has been, “pero que va decir la gente,” “la ropa sucia se lava en casa,” “si dices algo, vas haber llegando a la casa.”
Very early on, we received messages that we couldn’t safely speak our truth.

Secrecy and shame are woven together. We feel ashamed when we hold a secret due to fear of judgment. When I disclosed my childhood sexual abuse history in adulthood to my family, although I felt liberated for finally speaking my truth, I also felt shame and guilt for many reasons especially for the estrangement that it caused my mom with her family. Later, I learned that because I was the first one in the extended family to break silence, other family members were motivated to share their truths.
Although, I am continuously working through these emotions through my own healing, it’s still very difficult to navigate. Breaking unhealthy generational patterns is challenging and ugly. But the liberation and rebirth of stepping into generational healing supersedes the ugliness. Brave and courageous conversations are needed❤️

Sending immense compassion and light to those impacted by secrets in their family, whether holding a secret or receiving a secret. Tu comunidad está aquí. You’re not alone. We got you! ✨

Ps: I encourage you all to listen to @latinxtherapy podcast interview with @nataliegutierrezlmft discussing secrecy in our community. It was powerful and affirming of how our gente have been impacted by secrecy. ✨

**Has your family been impacted by a secret? How are you navigating this form of generational trauma?

*Disclosure: Social media posts are not intended to replace professional help. See social media disclosure in highlights.

#trauma #secret #secreto #healing #generationaltrauma

✨Happy Social Work Month! ✨

A loud shoutout to my fellow Social Workers from clinical social workers to medical social workers to macro social workers to forensic social workers to school social workers to child welfare social workers and everything in between! 💛

I particularly want to acknowledge the contributions of First Gen/children of immigrants Social Workers…

🌻To those who have unwavering commitment and passion for their community...
🌻To those who self-sacrifice and often engage in additional labor without proper compensation...
🌻To those fiercely advocating for their clients who are in under-resourced, system-impacted communities...
🌻To those who work in communities they identify themselves with...
🌻To those who are not licensed or struggling to become licensed...

🪷May you know your worth regardless of your income
🪷May you honor your body with rest, boundary-setting, and soul-care
🪷May you take time off to recharge without guilt
🪷May you compassionately navigate your “superhero” identity and acknowledge that fighting or changing oppressive systems is not only your responsibility but the responsibility of everyone
🪷May you know that your worth as a social worker is not measured by passing a licensing exam that disproportionately impacts social workers from marginalized backgrounds

I hope you celebrate yourself a little more this month and you’re celebrated by your organizations with more than coffee and free food! 🤷🏽‍♀️ (It’s cute and all, but more will have to be done! Starting by equitable pay, CEUS/training opportunities, appropriate caseloads, etc)

**Tag your favorite First Gen Social Workers! 🫶🏽

Sending you love, light, and abrazos,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy

#socialwork #socialworker #socialworkmonth #lcsw #msw #firstgen #firstgeneration #childrenofimmigrants #bipoc #firstgenlatina #latinasocialworker #latinatherapist #therapist #therapy #therapistsofinstagram #bsw #latinx #latine #latina #latinos #mentalhealth #socialworkintern #creator #explore #palante #palantetherapy