Census projections predict that 28% of the US population will be Hispanic by 2060. This is hardly a minority. Yet, Spanish-speaking psychiatrists are still in short supply.
BetterHelp provides online therapy with bilingual mental health practitioners. It aims to close the gap.
Best Spanish Speaking Psychiatrist Near Me
US Latino/Hispanic individuals are half as likely to seek support as White Americans. This is for many reasons.
The percentage of Latino/Hispanic Americans living on the breadline is higher than White Americans. If you can’t afford insurance and healthcare, it’s doubtful you’ll be spending your money on your mental health.
Yet, living in poverty makes you more likely to suffer from a mental illness. The people who need support the most aren’t getting it.
Seeking support is still highly stigmatized in the Latino/Hispanic community. “La ropa sucia se lava en casa” is a common Spanish phrase. It roughly translates to “don’t air your dirty laundry in public.” Many Latinos and Hispanics find talking about mental illness taboo.
It can be challenging adapting to an environment that is so dissimilar to your native region. Latinos/Hispanics are less likely to seek healthcare due to discrimination.
Cultural differences can become a barrier for Latinos and Hispanics. The vast majority of mental health professionals are White Americans. Oppression and discrimination can make having a White psychiatrist seem unappealing.
Communication with your psychiatrist can be difficult if they don’t speak your native language.
Spanish-Speaking Psychiatrists at BetterHelp
BetterHelp provides a profusion of bilingual psychiatrists. They’re all verified, trained, and have a Doctorate Degree. They have over three years of experience in the field and 1000 contact hours.
This makes seeking mental health support much more straightforward and accessible. You don’t have to worry about transport because all sessions are online. There is no language barrier if your therapist speaks Spanish.
List of Spanish-Speaking Psychiatrists
Benjamin’s Behavioral Health is a psychiatry company offering integrative therapy. Their team combines all the psychological theories and approaches to suit your needs. Every client receives a unique combination of counseling and medication.
Milena Newhook is a psychiatrist based in Houston. Her experience exceeds ten years. She offers therapy to adults and specializes in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and depression. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
Nathalie Marie is an experienced psychiatrist. She provides psychodynamic and supportive therapy and administers medication. She prides herself on her ability to listen to each client.
Arianne Suarez Lago has a specific interest in eating disorders and ADHD. She provides adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry. Arianne values the combined treatment approach of psychiatry.
Find a longer list of psychiatrists at BetterHelp.
FAQ for Spanish-Speaking Psychiatrists Near Me
What is a Spanish-Speaking Psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a mental health professional who offers counseling. They have a medical degree so they can diagnose mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), personality disorders, and mood disorders. They can also prescribe medications.
Spanish-speaking psychiatrists are psychiatrists who are fluent in Spanish. They can provide counseling sessions in Spanish. All communication with these professionals can be in Spanish if you wish.
Cost of Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are expensive because of their extensive medical training. Weekly, one-hour appointments can range in price from $100 – $350. Some mental health professionals will charge less if you have a low income.
Appointments with BetterHelp’s psychiatrists, however, are no more than $100 weekly.
Benefits of Spanish-Speaking Psychiatrist
Latino and Hispanic people have experienced decades of discrimination and exclusion in the US. Even today, racism and oppression are common. The Latino/Hispanic community tends to stick together because this feels safer.
You may dislike or distrust a therapist from a community that has discriminated against you before. Having a Spanish-speaking therapist may increase your felt safety and security when counseling.
It can be challenging to show your true personality and identity in a foreign language. By speaking Spanish in the therapy room, you can express yourself . It can also be frustrating if you can’t find the right foreign words to say. This can hinder the therapy process.
What to Expect From a Spanish-Speaking Psychiatrist
You can expect a Spanish-speaking psychiatrist to be proficient in Spanish. They will be able to communicate with you in your native language.
They will understand you on a deeper level as they will have a good knowledge of your culture. A Spanish-speaking psychiatrist will know about the common difficulties faced by your community. Struggles with inclusion are one of these.
How Long Does it Take to Get Better?
The answer to this depends on many factors:
- Psychiatrists approach: whether they use a long-term or short-term (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) treatment approach.
- The extent of your mental health concerns and past trauma.
- Your engagement in the therapy process.
- Your adherence to the medication regime (if applicable).
- The psychiatrist-client relationship.
- The frequency of counseling sessions.
More active engagement and a better psychiatrist-client relationship will speed up recovery. You can reduce treatment length by following your psychiatrist’s advice.
Reasons Latinos Should Get a Spanish Speaking Psychiatrist
Therapy with a therapist who speaks Spanish will feel more comfortable and familiar. You can talk about cultural difficulties without fear of judgment. These could be occasions where you haven’t felt welcome in the US.
You can express yourself in the way you would like to, using the language you’re most confident speaking.
Spanish-speaking psychiatrists will have a better awareness of your culture. Thus, they can provide culturally competent therapy. You’re more likely to build a strong relationship with your counselor if you are of the same race/culture.
Other Common Questions
Is My Privacy Protected at BetterHelp?
BetterHelp has built-in software which protects your private information. Everything you speak of in your counseling sessions is confidential. The psychiatrist is legally bound to keep the information you share between the two of you.
Your psychiatrist has the right to break confidentiality if you pose a risk to yourself or others. They will discuss this with you. BetterHelp encrypt messages from counseling sessions.
How to Get Started
Reaching out and asking for help is the hardest part. The first step is taking a look at BetterHelp. Answer the questions about yourself, and BetterHelp will do the legwork.
The platform will find you psychiatrists that suit your needs and personality. You can be sure it’ll find you a Spanish-speaking psychiatrist that you can relate to.
Make sure you click “Spanish” as your preferred language.
Why not give it a try?
