QUESTIONS? Email me at yanirahernandez@palantetherapy.com or call me at (424) 261-1572
The Pa’lante Therapy Inc. Blog
Do you ever find yourself grappling with self-doubt, struggling to set boundaries at work, or feeling like you can’t internalize your own successes? Are you your own harshest critic, constantly fearing that you’ll be exposed as a fraud? If these thoughts and questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. Many individuals, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds, such as Latinx, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ communities, contend with these self-sabotaging thoughts, and this experience is commonly referred to as imposter syndrome.
First introduced by psychologists Suzanne Imes, PhD, and Pauline Rose Clance, PhD, in the 1970s, imposter syndrome is described as a phenomenon that affects high achievers who struggle to acknowledge and accept their own accomplishments. It makes you feel like an imposter, insecure in the face of recognition or accolades, despite evidence that you are skilled, capable, and uniquely successful.
Common characteristics or signs of imposter syndrome include:
While the pressure to achieve and doubts about personal success are widespread, these experiences are more prevalent among BIPOC and marginalized communities. Individuals in these groups often face systemic oppression or are repeatedly told they are not good enough, leading them to internalize these negative narratives. For those with layered identities, such as being a first-generation Latinx individual, the burden of imposter syndrome can be particularly heavy. Research even shows that imposter syndrome can contribute to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or traumatic stress, further complicating mental well-being in communities of color.
So, how can we combat and overcome imposter syndrome?
Remember, you are not alone, and others share your struggles. Embrace self-love and self-compassion as you reclaim your self-worth, unapologetically. You are more than enough!
If you find yourself identifying with these struggles and wish to explore strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, consider reaching out to Pa’lante Therapy Inc. Dr. Yanira Hernandez is here to support you on your journey towards self-acceptance and success.
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On this second presentation, we discussed the social-cultural factors impacting diabetes management and care in Latine youth and families, specifically highlighting how systemic barriers and lack of cultural responsive care can impact our gente from accessing appropriate treatment and support.
This topic not only hit personal for us but also we know how prevalent diabetes is among our gente. We can’t speak about diabetes management and care among our gente without noting how our cultural foods are often policed by western/eurocentric medical practices and how inequitable systems impact accessibility to health and mental health support. This is why representation matters. Having bilingual Latine medical professionals that can affirm our gente’s experiences is important for collaboration with care. I couldn’t help and think about my parents’ and the trauma experienced navigating health systems as undocumented immigrants. May we continue to hold these infrastructures accountable with providing equitable linguistically and culturally responsive care to our gente. 🤎
Shoutout to all my Latine mental health professionals working with our gente with chronic health conditions. You are valued.✨
Con agradecimiento,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#diabetes #diabetesawareness #culturallyresponsive #chronichealth #latine #latinementalhealth #latinxmentalhealth #firstgenlatina #latinatherapist #nlpa #puertorico #palante #palantetherapy
Just two doctoras, eldest daughters of immigrants from South Central LA having brave discussions on reclaiming nuestras identidades using intersectionality lenses and deconstructing the imposter phenomenon through critical lenses and naming the experience for what it is… racism. It was important to center the diverse voices of Latine mental health professionals and place responsibility on systemic oppression and colonization. My corazoncito was so full hearing many resonate with our topic and was so appreciative of folx willingness to share their lived experiences. ❤️
I live for these conversations and profoundly enjoy hearing peoples lived experiences on how their uplifting their voices in academic and professional settings. Many of us are in continuous resistance and en la lucha in these spaces. ❤️
Also we unintentionally match and later realized I was wearing Mexico 🇲🇽 colors… when everything aligns✨
En comunidad y agradecimiento,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#decolonize #imposterphenomenon #impostersyndrome #latinementalhealth #latine #firstgeneration #firstgen #firstgenlatina #latinamentalhealth #systemicoppression #intergenerationaltrauma #intergenerationalhealing #nlpa #conference #highered #highereducation #doctora #southcentral #palante #palantetherapy
Amazing start to @1nlpa conference in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷! My last NLPA Conference was in 2019. Today I attended great presentations and discussions on intergenerational trauma and ancestral wisdom, supporting undocumented/immigrant families, and decolonizing clinical supervision. I’ve met colegxs doing amazing work in the field of psychology and mental health. I look forward to a soulful weekend of more connection y Boricua sazón!
Tomorrow my bestie and I present on the imposter phenomenon among Latinx mental health professionals and improving diabetes management among Latinx youth and families. ❤️
En comunidad y saludos desde la isla del encanto 🇵🇷❤️,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#nlpa #conference #puertorico #psychology #socialwork #lcsw #decolonizing #intergenerationaltrauma #ancestralhealing #ancestralwisdom #undocumented #immigrants #firstgen #firstgeneration #firstgentherapist #latinatherapist #latinxtherapy #palante #palantetherapy
During Latine Heritage Month I had the absolute honor of presenting to KIPP SoCal Public Schools Counseling Team on the importance of supporting Latine children in system-impacted communities through culturally-affirming, trauma-sensitive interventions in schools. ❤️
Not only did we call out “evidenced-based interventions” that were not initially designed with our gente in mind, but we looked at how we can implement intersectionality, lived experiences, and provider authenticity in therapeutic spaces in schools. Best part, was presenting on my “Pa’delante en Comunidad: Newcomer Youth Support Group” I created while working in schools. Mi corazoncito was fully overjoyed by the feedback, connections I made with counselors, and receiving messages about how they felt inspired to implement their own newcomer group. De veras que estoy tan agradecida 🥹.
Also, when I officially left schools this summer to pursue full time private practice I knew my work with schools and education wasn’t over. However, this time, I get to reclaim and design trainings I wished I had as a school social worker and on my own terms. To anyone navigating the imposter phenomenon and doubting their abilities, this is your sign to go for it! Somos chingones! 🤎
Como siempre mi gente, sigamos Pa’delante!
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#newcomer #k12schools #traumainformed #counseling #pd #kipp #latine #hispanicheritagemonth #southcentral #boyleheights #eastlosangeles #southgate #huntingtonpark #latinxheritagemonth #firstgen #firstgeneration #firstgenlatina #latinatherapist #privatepractice #educator #socialwork #lcsw #palante #palantetherapy
To the Latina daughters who grew up hearing messages from their parents, tíos, tías, abuelos about their bodies being “too flaquitas” or “too gorditas” and now struggle with body image and self love as adults, your worth extends beyond your pants size or how many tortillas you eat. May you heal your inner niña and remind her that she was always beautiful inside and out. May you affirm her that nothing was ever wrong with her. She was perfect that way she was and continues to be. ❤️
I recall hearing messages from tíos about my body since the age of 8 y/o and how I needed to look like for my quinceañera. I continue to heal my inner niña and my inner teen and remind her that she was perfect the way she was 🥹.
En nuestra cultura, we normalize terms of endearment like “Gordita, flaquita,” etc and police our cultural foods (“no comas tortillas”) but instead equate salads as “healthy eating.” Pero ALV! Many of these cultural and societal norms are rooted in colonial ideals and Eurocentric perspectives, machismo and marianismo, on how Latina women should look like.
Amigas, may you reconnect with your bodies, may you shed unhealthy intergenerational messages about your body, and love yourself throughout all the evolutions and life transitions. Somos poderosas! ✨
Con mucho amor y compasión,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#selflove #amorproprio #intergenerationaltrauma #intergenerationalhealing #latinoculture #firstgenlatina #firstgen #latina #palante #palantetherapy #latinatherapist #latine #jennirivera #reels #reelsinstagram
Sharing un pedacito of the “Rompiendo Stigmas” panel I did on Sunday at @revhhm with my amazing colleagues @luis_thee_lmft, @thefirstgenpsychologist, and the amazing @thereallisavidal. Our moderator, Adriana from @latinxtherapy asked a beautiful question inviting me to share about my experience being the eldest daughter. ❤️
Not included on this clip, but I shared about my experience being the eldest in a mixed-status household where I had to consistently step into a parentified role to support my parents and younger brother due to the environmental factors being impacted by my parents undocumented status.
I also shared how secrecy impacted me as being the eldest and being exposed to grown conversations in early childhood and carrying many secrets from the family that were rooted in trauma.
This was my first speaking engagement where my little brother @eta.jess28 was present and it meant the world to me. We often have conversations where we hold space for each other and talk about my experience being the eldest and his experience being the youngest, especially how he experienced parentification once I left the home. He will always be my hermanito (even if he’s in his 30s) 🥹❤️
Sending so much love and compassion to all the parentified children of immigrant parents. ✨
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy
#eldestdaughter #parentification #immigrants #childrenofimmigrants #undocumented #mixedstatusfamilies #trauma #secrecy #intergenerationaltrauma #healing #firstgenlatina #latinatherapist #downey #downeyca #revolución #palante #palantetherapy #reels #reelsinstagram #explore
