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In this episode of the Chicana Therapist Podcast, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo discusses ADHD in adults, particularly focusing on Latina women who often go undiagnosed. She explores the nuances of ADHD, its impact on executive function, and the emotional challenges faced by those diagnosed later in life. The conversation delves into the complexities of ADHD, particularly focusing on executive function and its various components, including planning, organization, time management, and emotional regulation. Xochilt emphasizes the importance of understanding these aspects to better navigate daily challenges and improve self-awareness for individuals with ADHD. Takeaways ADHD often misdiagnosed in womenEmotional impact of ADHD awareness Understanding executive function is crucialADHD impacts emotional regulation significantly Chapters 00:00 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact01:50 The Emotional Journey of Diagnosis19:25 Executive Function and Daily Life35:37 Understanding Executive Function36:14 The Role of Planning and Prioritizing41:50 Challenges of Organization and Memory44:25 Time Management Difficulties47:14 Sustained Attention and Shifting Focus50:04 Impulse Control and Self-Monitoring54:04 Emotional Regulation in ADHD01:04:12 Moving Forward with ADHD What should we talk about next?  Submit your topic or question below. Your response can be completely anonymous.  https://forms.gle/LnniW5uu5f9gyCDHA Sign up for the newsletter at TheChicanaTherapist.com for updates on new episodes, blog posts, and upcoming local and international events. Follow along on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this episode of the Chicana Therapist Podcast, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo discusses seasonal depression, its symptoms, and its impact on individuals and communities, particularly within the Latinx community. The conversation explores the differences between seasonal affective disorder and general winter blues, as well as practical strategies for coping and support. Takeaways Understanding seasonal depressionCoping strategies for winter months Chapters 00:00 Understanding Seasonal Depression05:10 The Impact of Seasonal Changes13:10 Cultural Perspectives on Depression18:28 Myths and Realities of Seasonal Affective Disorder24:10 Coping Strategies and SupportIf you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for support today. Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support, 24/7. ¿Prefieres hablar en español? Call 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988. What should we talk about next?  Submit your topic or question below. Your response can be completely anonymous.  https://forms.gle/LnniW5uu5f9gyCDHA Follow & connect with me on social media: 📸 Instagram:  the_chicana_therapist  🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drxochilt?is_...💼 LinkedIn: xochilt-alamillo-phd-lcsw-2b14989  ▶️ YouTube: @thechicanatherapist  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...💻 Website: https://thechicanatherapist.com/

In this episode of the Chicana Therapist Podcast, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo shares her personal experiences of cultural shock after moving to Colorado and discusses the importance of recognizing cultural values that positively impact mental health. The conversation emphasizes celebrating heritage and understanding how cultural identity shapes resilience and wellness. Takeaways Cultural identity shapes mental healthCelebrating heritage fosters resilience I'd love to hear the dichos, traditions, and celebrations that are part of your culture. Share them, along with episode suggestions, through this form: Share With Us 💬 Follow & connect with me on social media: 📸 Instagram: @the_chicana_therapist🎵 TikTok: @drxochilt💼 LinkedIn: Xochilt Alamillo▶️ YouTube: @thechicanatherapist📘 Facebook: TheChicanaTherapist💻 Website: www.thechicanatherapist.com

Dr. Xochilt Alamillo discusses historical trauma and its impact on individuals and communities, exploring its definition, origins, and manifestations. She also addresses the intergenerational transmission of trauma, the role of epigenetics, and the importance of reconnection and healing practices within the community. Takeaways Historical trauma is the cumulative emotional and psychological harm caused by significant traumatic events experienced by a group.Reconnection and healing practices within the community are essential for addressing historical trauma and interrupting the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Historical Trauma03:04 Defining Historical Trauma04:57 Origins of Historical Trauma06:27 Diverse Historical Trauma Experiences08:42 Impact on Identity and Culture22:40 Biological and Psychological Impact36:00 Addressing Historical Trauma Check out upcoming events & retreats: https://thechicanatherapist.com Have a topic you’d love to hear discussed on The Chicana Therapist Podcast? Submit your topic or question below. Your response can be completely anonymous. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfczrqvhV0Sfw1peYgERdUZeHogRTFZ1qIQJ0wlPjVmVPQR9g/viewform?usp=header

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

Most women think anxiety looks like panic attacks or freezing in fear. But in many Latinas, it manifests as relentless control, perfectionism, and an unbreakable drive to prove worth—the hidden signs of high-functioning anxiety. If you’ve ever felt exhausted behind a seemingly unstoppable facade, this episode is for you.Dr. Xochilt Alamillo unpacks the quiet struggle of high-functioning anxiety in Latinas,  www.thechicanatherapist.com

Most parents feel like they got thrown into uncharted territory when their teenager starts pushing away or questioning authority. But what if understanding the biology behind adolescent behavior could transform frustration into compassion, and strengthen your relationship?In this episode of the Chicana Therapist Podcast, Dr. Xochilt Alamillo reveals the brain science behind why teenagers act the way they doand how cultural values shape that behavior. Discover how the undeveloped prefrontal cortex explains impulsivity and emotional swings, and learn why teenagers prioritize peer approval over parental validation. Parents, educators, and anyone who cares about nurturing authentic relationships will see how understanding adolescence as a biological and cultural transition offers powerful insightchanging the way you approach this transformative stage of life.If you're raising teens or simply want to deepen your understanding of teenage development, this episode provides essential tools for patience, connection, and real growth for you and the young people in your life.Remember: it’s not about fixing teenagers but supporting their growth with compassion, clarity, and unconditional love. Tune in to discover how to turn confusion into connection your relationship with the next generation depends on it. www.thechicanatherapist.com

Most people dismiss grief as just about death, but the truth is more complicated, and more common, than you think. Dr. Xochilt Alamillo’s latest episode reveals how grief extends beyond losing a loved one, touching everything from broken dreams to cultural rituals, and how understanding these nuances can transform the way you support yourself and others through life's inevitable losses.In this powerful episode, Dr. Alamillo shares eye-opening insights on the many faces of grief, from ambiguous losses like dementia or incarceration to disenfranchised grief that society fails to recognize. She explores how cultural practices within the Latinx community, like velorios, altares, and prayer rituals, sustain us in collective mourning. But she also highlights the harmful messages that silence grief, especially among men or in communities where grief is dismissed as a sign of weakness.You'll discover actionable guidance on what not to say to someone grieving, like "everything happens for a reason" or "you need to be strong", and instead, learn how simple acts of presence, specific offers of help, and ongoing check-ins make all the difference. Dr. Alamillo emphasizes that grief has no timetable and encourages you to normalize mourning even those losses that society doesn’t acknowledge, whether it’s a pet, a dream, or a relationship.If you're navigating grief, supporting someone who is, or simply want to deepen your understanding of loss, this episode offers compassionate, practical tools rooted in cultural awareness. It's essential listening in a world where we’re all bound to lose, and where understanding grief can carve out space for healing, love, and connection. For more info on the Oaxaca Retreat for Latinas: https://thechicanatherapist.com/retreats/