In recent years, we’ve seen a major movement of Black and Brown women proudly reconnecting and reclaiming ancestral spirituality rooted in African, Indigenous, and Latinx origins while fighting against the stigmas that surround those belief systems. We have seen how these sacred practices have been used toward self-care and even as a form of generational resistance, as communities of color today work to confront the institutional barriers and systems that were intentionally created to keep us oppressed.
Throughout the pandemic especially, we’ve seen Black and Brown spiritualists and healers openly share their rituals, something that was rare to witness even 10 years ago, because it still wasn’t safe to do so. But times have fortunately changed. Not only are we seeing a shift in how women of color see and approach self-care and wellness, but we’re also seeing Black and Brown mental health practitioners understanding the need to incorporate these rituals and modalities into their client sessions. While classical psychology has rejected spiritual incorporation while also often not considering Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities’ cultural needs, this generation of Latinx mental health experts has realized how crucial a role spirituality plays for one’s overall well-being. Their holistic approach to the mind, body, and spirit not only challenges the idea of psychology being one-dimensional but it proves how the intersection of spirituality and mental health can contribute toward radical and revolutionary healing and recovery, especially for marginalized communities of color.
Here are five noteworthy Latina mental health experts and spiritual healers worth checking out!