We are Thrilled to Announce that we are Now Offering Individual and Couples Therapy in Spanish!
Did you Know???
Over 43.4 million people in the United States speak Spanish at home, which is 13.7% of the population. This makes Spanish the second most spoken language in the country, after English.
Spanish is also the most commonly learned language other than English, with around 8 million students in the United States.
The median age of the Hispanic population in the United States is about 31 years old.
Mental health therapy for Spanish speakers is lacking, and there are many barriers to accessing care:
Language barriers
A lack of Spanish-speaking mental health providers is a major issue. A 2016 APA survey found that only 5.5% of psychologists in the US could provide care in Spanish.
Systemic barriers
Other barriers include poverty, lack of health insurance, and cultural stigmas.
Discrimination
Spanish-speaking patients may experience language-based discrimination, such as being put on hold longer or having calls ended.
Wait times
There is a shortage of mental health providers overall, which can lead to long wait times.
Serenity’s First Bilingual Therapist!
Meet!
Maria Angelica Pico Figueroa
MS (She/Her/Hers)
Mental Health Therapist
Maria Angelica recently earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Cloud State University in May of 2024. She is a pre-licensed therapist currently working toward her licensure as a Clinical Professional Counselor (LPCC). Maria has diverse experience working in both inpatient psychiatric facilities and outpatient mental health clinics. She is bilingual and has the unique experience and ability to work with multicultural clients in both English and Spanish!
Maria believes that healing starts with personal reflection and understanding that each client’s life story is unique. She enjoys working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Her areas of expertise include Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress, relationship issues, and stress management. She is experienced in various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Brief Therapy.
Maria’s approach to therapy is rooted in empathy and building a meaningful, collaborative relationship with her clients. Her goal is to treat each client as a whole person, recognizing their unique challenges, circumstances, and stories. She truly believes that exploring different perspectives and solutions tailored to individual needs leads to a deeper understanding of how to foster positive change.