The Chicana Therapist

Xochilt Alamillo
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Society & Culture

Healing is a community effort and this podcast is proof! The Chicana Therapist, hosted by Dr. Xochilt Alamillo, PhD, LCSW, creates space for Latinas to explore mental health through the lens of our lived experience. From breaking stigma to honoring our roots, these conversations are for the ones who are ready to heal and for the ones who are still finding their way there.

  1. 4d ago

    What is your Attachment Style?

    The episode explores attachment styles, their formation, and their impact on relationships. It delves into the cultural influences on attachment styles and discusses the potential for change. The episode concludes with reflection questions for self-assessment. Takeaways Attachment styles are influenced by early caregiver relationshipsCultural factors can shape and influence attachment styles Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude02:32 Attachment Styles and Their Formation08:12 Secure Attachment Style12:50 Anxious or Preoccupied Attachment Style22:16 Avoidant or Dismissive Attachment Style26:37 Disorganized or Fearful Avoidant Attachment Style31:25 Cultural Influence on Attachment Styles39:13 Can Attachment Styles Change?44:07 Reflection Questions and Conclusion Check out the blog, upcoming retreats, and more! https://thechicanatherapist.com/ What should I talk about next? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfczrqvhV0Sfw1peYgERdUZeHogRTFZ1qIQJ0wlPjVmVPQR9g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118150416076613592667

  2. Sep 7

    Let's Talk About it: Suicide, Myths, and Stigma

    In this episode, Xochilt discusses the topic of suicide, addressing myths, stigma, and support strategies within the Latinx community. She emphasizes the importance of direct communication, validation of pain, and the provision of resources for those in need. Xochilt also highlights the significance of self-care for those providing support and encourages ongoing education and awareness around suicide prevention. Takeaways Direct communication is crucial when addressing suicidal thoughts and ideation.Stigma and cultural barriers within the Latinx community can impact the willingness to seek help for mental health struggles.Providing resources and support for those in need is essential, and self-care for support providers is equally important. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Disclosure02:20 Suicide Awareness Month06:30 Understanding Suicidal Thoughts25:59 Myths and Stigma Around Suicide49:59 Support Strategies and Resources If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7. Si tú o alguien que conoces está pasando por una crisis de salud mental o suicida, llama al 988 y presiona 2, o envía AYUDA por texto al 988, para recibir apoyo gratuito y confidencial en español, disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana. Have a topic, question, or conversation you’d love to hear on The Chicana Therapist Podcast? Send it our way! Your request can be completely anonymous. https://forms.gle/AxCMhkUmhBXymTPbA

  3. Sep 1

    More Than "Echale Ganas": How To Support Loved Ones with Mental Health Struggles

    We all love someone who's struggling, or we are that person ourselves. In this episode, Dr. Xochilt breaks down the cultural scripts many of us grew up with (échale ganas, ponte a orar, tienes mucho que agradecer) and why even well-meaning phrases can leave people feeling more alone instead of supported. Then she gets practical: what to actually say when someone opens up, how to sit with someone's pain instead of rushing to fix it, and how to support the people you love without losing yourself in the process. Sign up for my newsletter: thechicanatherapist.com

  4. Aug 25

    Why We Don't Do Sleepovers

    Behind that rule is a much deeper story about silence, protection, shame, and the unspoken ways many Latino families tried to keep children safe from sexual abuse.Dr. Xochilt Alamillo breaks down why so many of us grew up hearing uno nunca sabe without ever getting the real explanation. She shows how that phrase often stood in for something families did not have the words, safety, or willingness to name out loud.You'll discover why silence can feel protective in the short term, how it can also leave children without language for boundaries or body autonomy, and why the most dangerous people are so often not strangers, but people already inside the circle of trust. Dr. Alamillo also names the emotional cost of this kind of protection, including shame, confusion, and the burden placed on children to prevent harm that is never their responsibility.This episode is especially important if you were raised with strict rules around sleepovers, being alone with relatives, or moving through the world with quiet warnings no one fully explained. It offers a compassionate look at where those rules came from and what they were trying to protect.Most importantly, Dr. Alamillo reframes the conversation for the next generation: protection should not only mean restriction. It should also mean language, trust, belief, and the freedom to speak when something feels wrong.If this topic brings something up for you, listen gently. This is a powerful episode for anyone unpacking family silence, generational trauma, or the hidden rules that shaped childhood. www.thechicanatherapist.com

  5. Aug 12

    Dejando el Toxico Trope: What Healthy Relationships Really Look Like

    After last episode's deep dive into bare minimum relationships, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo flips the lens: if bare minimum isn't it, then what is? In this episode, she breaks down the myths many of us were taught to mistake for romance — jealousy as devotion, conflict as chemistry, sacrifice as love — and replaces them with what healthy actually looks like in practice: direct communication, real repair after conflict, respected boundaries, shared values, and consistency over grand gestures. She also gets honest about why so many of us are building healthy relationships without ever having seen one modeled, and why that takes intention. Stay tuned to the end for reflection questions to sit with on your own. 🔗 More episodes, blog posts, and upcoming retreat info: thechicanatherapist.com

  6. Aug 3

    When the Bare Minimum Is Normalized

    Bare Minimum, Normalized: Why We Settle and What Reciprocity Actually Looks Like In this episode, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo unpacks why bare minimum effort from men gets treated like a win and why that's not an accident. She traces the cultural roots of the pattern through marianismo and machismo, showing how women were trained to expect little and men were trained that little was enough. Using real examples from emotional labor, household logistics, conflict repair, affection, and goal support, she breaks down the difference between "normalized" and truly reciprocal relationships. This isn't a case against traditional roles, it's an invitation to ask whether the roles in your relationship were chosen or inherited. Xochilt closes with reflection questions on origin, reciprocity, permission, and comparison to help you stop calling the floor a ceiling. Sign up for The Chicana Therapist Newsletter at: thechicanatherapist.com

  7. Jul 28

    Body Image & Language

    Your body is not an achievement or a problem to fix. In a world obsessed with size and perfect images, how do we break free from harmful body comments, internal criticism, and generational cycles? Dr. Xochilt Alamillo dives deep into the impact of family, culture, and social media on body image, revealing practical strategies to foster acceptance without pressure. Whether you struggle with your own body or want to protect the kids and loved ones around you, this episode offers a fresh perspective on finding neutrality and kindness in the way you see—and speak about—bodies.This isn’t just about self-love, it’s about changing the conversation around bodies in your life. Neglecting this awareness keeps us trapped in cycles of shame and comparison, while embracing body neutrality opens space for appreciation, care, and genuine acceptance. Tune in, reflect, and start rewriting your internal and external dialogue today. For more info on Oaxaca Retreat for Latinas: thechicanatherapist.com/retreats To sign up for newsletter: thechicanatherapist.com

  8. Jul 20

    First Gen Burnout & Ancestral Healing

    Most first-generation Latinas carry a unique set of risks for burnout but what if understanding your cultural roots could be the key to healing? On this episode of the Chicana Therapist Podcast, Cristina, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, reveals how ancestral wisdom and cultural practices can protect you from burnout and promote true wellness. You'll discover her groundbreaking insights on how trauma manifests as traits like hyper-independence, success as a shield, people-pleasing, reactivity, and the "always on" mode, traits that make first-gens more vulnerable to burnout. She explains how these traits are not just personality quirks but are deeply rooted in generational trauma, cultural expectations, and even ancestral legacies.We break down how trauma shows up in our traits and what tools, like Aztec soul frameworks, ancestral practices, and Bilateral Stimulation, can realign our mind, body, and spirit. Cristina's website: https://www.mariacristinacoaching.com/ To sign up for Cristina's Masterclass for First Gens: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScs3ytDx6cDOn66XGbLIbndMLE7nLKLARNFdOrUD4DcPka_vQ/viewform Dr. Xochilt's website: https://thechicanatherapist.com/ We still have spots for our Oaxaca retreat: https://thechicanatherapist.com/retreats/

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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Healing is a community effort and this podcast is proof! The Chicana Therapist, hosted by Dr. Xochilt Alamillo, PhD, LCSW, creates space for Latinas to explore mental health through the lens of our lived experience. From breaking stigma to honoring our roots, these conversations are for the ones who are ready to heal and for the ones who are still finding their way there.

Information

  • Creator
    Xochilt Alamillo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Xochilt Alamillo

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