Both Latina ladies interviewed highlighted the significance of Catholicism in their lives. Interviewee 1 expressed that Christmas holds great significance and is highly valued as a holiday in Costa Rica, with the majority of the population adhering to the Catholic faith. Interviewee 2 explained that the practice of the Catholic religion involves praying to patron saints, such as the Virgin Mary. She elaborated on the importance of baptism and confirmation in Latina culture.

Personalismo- a personalized communication style characterized by respectful, interdependent, and cooperative interactions.

Simpatico- the relational style that emphasizes social harmony and a gracious, hospitable, and personable.

Mental Illness Stigma refers to the unfavorable or prejudiced opinions that people may hold regarding mental illness. Both participants had a negative outlook regarding the need for mental health treatment. They both expressed that resilience is important and seemed to view counseling as unlikely to help support them.

According to Diaz-Martinez et al., the Feminist Approach…

· Analyzes symptoms and helps connect life experiences, beliefs, norms, and internal states.

· Incorporates social constructs such as gender, racism, immigration status, social class, etc.

· Offers a safe space and the opportunity to process and cope with oppression.

Techniques

· Viewing symptoms as communication

· Power analysis

· Assertiveness training

· Reframing 

According to Diaz-Martinez et al., Multicultural therapy…

· Demonstrates an understanding of values and concepts that impact decisions such as marianismo (a set of expectations concerning female gender roles), respeto (respect), ser bien educado (being well-educated), familismo (commitment to family), etc.

· Recognizes the challenges linked to acculturation and the impact on children of immigrants. 

· Psychoeducation that matches cultural values. It creates a strong therapeutic alliance and builds trust through non-judgmental practices and understanding how the client interprets problems.

Guiding Principles

· Self-awareness-recognizes that clients' identities are complex and can be shaped by various factors, such as cultural privilege, biases, prejudices, race, gender, etc.  Also, being aware of their beliefs can influence their interactions with clients from different cultures.

· Flexibility- recognizes their cultural limitations and adjusts to meet the client's needs.

· Communication- understands that oral and non-verbal communication are crucial in establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship.

· Approach –considers the client’s attitudes, beliefs, and values when selecting a therapeutic approach or intervention.

According to Chavira, D. A. et al, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)…

·Focuses on recognizing and modifying misconstrued or exaggerated thought patterns, emotional reactions, and behavioral responses.

·Incorporates treatment strategies such as emotional regulation and mindfulness to address destructive or disturbing thoughts and behaviors.

·It involves identifying irrational beliefs, actively challenging them, and finally learning to recognize and change these thought patterns.