Counselors that look like you, have similar background can make therapy more comfortable, experts say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Over the past year, Channel 9 has worked hard to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.

Many people are already nervous about going to therapy, but when you come from a minority or marginalized population, that can make it even harder.

Counselor Perla Castro is bilingual. She said in therapy sessions, she connects with Hispanic clients because she knows the language and the culture.

“Coming from a Hispanic Latina home myself, there is a lot of stigma in our community in regards to mental health,” Castro said. “First of all, they don’t really acknowledge it. It’s not really spoken of.”

Watch the video above as experts tell Eyewitness News anchor Erica Bryant sometimes, having someone who looks like you or who has a similar background can be powerful.

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