Ever stood in the card aisle, searching for something that actually says what you’re feeling—and walked away with nothing?

You’re not alone. Words matter, especially when it comes to mental health. The right ones can help us feel seen, supported, and understood. The wrong ones? They can make us feel even more alone.

This week, I’m joined by Ariana Arthurs—a proud Caribbean-American, first-gen mental health counselor, school counselor, and doctoral student who knows firsthand how powerful language can be in the healing process.

She’s also the creator of Threads of Harmony Paper Co., a greeting card line that puts real emotions—grief, anxiety, depression, growth—into words that actually resonate.

We talk about why language matters in mental health, how to show up with empathy, and why the standard messages we see everywhere so often miss the mark.

If you’ve ever felt like no card—or no words—really captured what you were going through, this episode is for you.

To get in touch with Ariana visit:

https://www.instagram.com/threadsofharmony.co?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Amapola Ramirez — a Chicana therapist, entrepreneur, and host of the Chicana & Latina Moms Podcast — for a powerful conversation about identity, healing, and generational strength.

Raised in a world that often misunderstood her Chicana roots, Amapola turned pain into purpose. With over 17 years of experience working with families in crisis, she brings both clinical insight and lived wisdom to the table.

In this conversation we ask and discuss what does it mean to grow up Chicana in a society that often erases your identity?
How do we navigate marriage, motherhood, and mental health while honoring our cultura?
And how can one voice spark healing across generations?

This episode is honest, healing, and rooted in cultura. Don’t miss it.

Episode 35 is special because I sat down with Juan Carlos — papá, facilitator, and coach — for a powerful conversación on conscious masculinity and breaking generational cycles. We explore:

✨ What it really means to be a cycle breaker — cortar con lo que ya no sirve
✨ How men can become emotional protectors, not just providers
✨ Holding space for vulnerability y hermandad
✨ Showing up con corazón y presencia for our partners and familias
✨ And having the humility to say: "Maybe there’s another way… otra perspectiva"

This one’s para los que están listos to lead, heal, and love más profundo.
Tune in. This convo is medicine.

If you want to work with Juan Carlos or just follow his work you can find him:

https://themodernmacho.com/

on IG @modernmacho

Today’s episode is extra special — I’m sitting down with my Ashley Cuasquer, MA, NCC, LAC — licensed associate counselor, orgullosamente Latina, rooted in lived experience and disability awareness, and someone who shows up with so much courage.

In this episode, Ashley shares her journey of learning to show up as her yo auténtica — even when the world told her to stay quiet, small, or invisible. She opens up about growing up with a disability and living with depression.

She also shares how a toxic relationship nearly broke her spirit — but ultimately became a mirror that helped her reconnect with who she truly was. And through deep grief, especially after losing su mamá, Ashley began the slow, powerful work of healing — not just for herself, but for the generations before and after her.

Este episodio es about valentía — the kind that shows up when you choose to be seen, to be vulnerable, and to love yourself through it all.

Ashley’s story is raw, honesta, y llena de fuerza. We’re so proud to share it with you.

In this episode, me senté a platicar con Maira M. Hernández — licensed therapist, CEO, y total chingona en el mundo de inmigración. Maira se especializa en mental health evaluations for Asylum Cases, Extreme Hardship, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, y Cancellation of Removal — ayudando a nuestra gente compartir sus historias con fuerza y corazón.

We get into:

• Cómo las evaluaciones psicológicas pueden ser clave en casos migratorios
• The emotional toll these processes take — and cómo cuidar tu salud mental en el camino
• La importancia de enseñar emotional tolerance (and what that even means)
• Cómo ella encontró su voz como advocate, y lo que eso ha significado para su comunidad
• Tips para profesionales latines en salud mental

Maira also shares personal stories, real talk on boundaries as a therapist, and cómo she stays grounded doing this deep, corazón-centered work.

Este episodio está lleno de healing, empowerment, y cultura. Si estás en este trabajo, si has pasado por el sistema, o simplemente quieres aprender cómo apoyar mejor — this one’s pa’ ti. ¡No te lo pierdas!

To work with Maira check out the following sites

www.mairachicana.com

www. mhfamcc.com

on IG @maira.chicana

In this episode, we get real about family estrangement, especially in Latinx households where “la familia es sagrada” is the norm. We unpack the different stages of estrangement, the emotional weight of family trauma, and the often painful process of setting boundaries—even when it goes against everything we were taught.

This conversation is about breaking cycles, healing out loud, and redefining what familia really means.

We’re joined by Violetta, LCSW, therapist, coach, and founder of Latinx Estrangement. Violetta specializes in working with women and queer folks navigating family rupture, cultural expectations, and the journey of coming home to themselves. Her work centers healing, empowerment, and reclaiming identity on your own terms. So, if you’ve ever whispered, “I love them, but I can’t keep doing this,” this episode is for you.

If you want to learn more and work with Violetta, you can find her on IG

@Latinx_estragment

https://www.instagram.com/latinx_estrangement?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

OR email: vfrndz@violettatherapyservices.com

In this heartfelt episodio, we sit down with Dr. Andrea Guerrero Robles, DMFT, LPCC — a first-gen therapist, wife, mamá, and proud hija de inmigrantes. She’s also the founder of Take The Reins Counseling Center, where she uses equine-assisted psychotherapy (a.k.a. horse therapy) to support people navigating anxiety, social anxiety, and other mental health challenges. With her caballos as co-therapists, Andrea creates un espacio de healing y crecimiento, showing us the powerful connection between humans and horses. This convo dives deep into cultura, mental health, and the unique ways nature helps us heal.

Want to learn more about Dr. Andrea Guerrero Robles? Check out her website link below

https://takethereincounselingcenter.com/

Disclaimer- information shared on this podcast is for education, information, and entertainment purposes, it does not replace therapy or medical advice.

Happy one year anniversary to the Healing Heridas podcast!

Lets celebrate a year of episodes, of tips, y consejos for the healing journey.

Tune in to listen to my 5 most important take aways that I have learned from the healing heridas journey. Síganme los buenos!!