There are many, many options for you here in Lo de Marcos and in this zone, and many “healers” and practitioners offering you all kinds of treatments. Many of these are unregulated, and the training and experience of the person offering the treatment varies widely.
At La Ermita, we believe in alternative medicine, plant medicine, and alternative therapies and know that not everything that works can be quantified by science.
A the same time, there are some rights and responsibilities that you, as the potential client, should be aware of and we encourage you to talk to the provider about their training, experience and treatment before agreeing to anything.
Consider asking the practitioner the following questions before you enter into a therapeautic relationship with them:
1. What is the medicine or therapy you are offering? Is there efficacy data to support its stated benefits? If there is not, can you direct me to anecdotal evidence unrelated to you as a provider? Is there efficacy data specifically related to the condition you will be treating me for?
2. Where, with whom, and for how long have you trained? How often or for how long have you been providing this treatment?
3. What is your policy regarding confidentiality - will anyone else know that I am in treatment with you?
4. What is your policy around dual relationships, since we will both be in this small town and bound to see each other? How can I make sure that our therapeutic relationship remains professional at all times?
5. Has anyone had an adverse affect from your treatment or “medicine?” What happened and how did you handle it? Is there literature that you can point me to regarding contraindications or adverse treatment effects?
6. Do you have a network of professionals that you meet with regularly for accountability, training, and case management?
7. Is this a one time treatment or an on-going process? How many sessions (and what cost) should I consider?
8. Do you have specific graduate level training in mental health counseling if you are going to be providing pre- or post “integration” sessions?
It is important to be informed, especially when you are in a place where so many treatments are available to you and when many unsubstantiated health claims are made regarding those treatments. We want you to feel like you are always making informed decisions, especially when it comes to your health.
Any practitioner would be happy to answer these questions for you - we are proud of what we do! If you do not feel satisfied with the answers you receive, it is ok to opt out of the treatment. Always.
We all need a little help from time to time.
One of the things that can be challenging when moving to this area of Mexico is finding mental health support that works for you. There are a limited number of counselors who offer therapy in English, who have the experience, specialization and credentials you might be looking for, who are in close or relatively close proximity, and who understand the particular nuances of navigating small town life and the unique challenges that come with being a foreigner. It can also be challenging to navigate the dual relationships or the sense of vulnerability that can come from seeing someone in your tiny home town who also knows a lot of your most intimate worries, fears or process.
This is a non-exhaustive list of folks who practice in the area. This list does not endorse or recommend anyone, nor does it ensure licensure, professional oversight or payment options. These can all be discussed directly with the provider. This list is only meant to be a starting point, an offering to help take some of the overwhelm out of the search, and an opportunity to commit to your mental health.
We might live in “paradise,” but there is nowhere in the world that is immune to the challenges of being human, whether it is depression, anxiety, marital stress, trauma or simply our own personal development.
I hope this list is helpful to you.
Molly Lannon Kenny, MS is a clinically trained counselor who developed, published and trademarked her own method of therapy in 2001 (Integrated Movement Therapy) combining movement, talk, interfaith perspectives and embodied practices and has been working in direct service as well as training therapists for over twenty years. She specializes in end of life, grief, depression, anxiety, addiction and sexual trauma. She is a licensed speech-pathologist, a certified yoga therapist and a graduate of the Living School for interfaith mysticism. Molly offers therapy in English and in Spanish. Contact Molly.
Molly Lannon Kenny, MS es una consejera clínicamente capacitada que desarrolló, publicó y registró su propio método de terapia en 2001 (Terapia de Movimiento Integrada) que combina movimiento, conversación, perspectivas interreligiosas y prácticas corporales y ha estado trabajando en servicio directo y capacitando a terapeutas. durante más de veinte años. Se especializa en el final de la vida, el duelo, la depresión, la ansiedad, la adicción y el trauma sexual. Es logopeda autorizada, terapeuta de yoga certificada y graduada de la Living School de misticismo interreligioso. Molly ofrece terapia en inglés y español. Contacta con Molly.
Tamara Edwards is a Yoga therapist and teacher with degrees in psychology and anthropology. Tamara uses a personalized application of Yogic tools and principles to address specific emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs. Individual and Couple sessions are available. Contact-palmtreeyoga@hotmail.com
Tamara Edwards es terapeuta y profesora de yoga con títulos en psicología y antropología. Tamara utiliza una aplicación personalizada de herramientas y principios yóguicos para abordar necesidades emocionales, físicas, mentales y espirituales específicas. Se encuentran disponibles sesiones individuales y de pareja. Contact-palmtreeyoga@hotmail.com
Misty Haley is a trained and Master degreed marriage and family therapist. Her areas of expertise are domestic violence (victims and perpetrators) and relationships. Her greatest skill is discerning patterns of behavior as well as working with childhood issues and estrangement. Because Misty is also an attorney, she brings a lot of problem solving to the table. Contact- terrinhaley@gmail.com
Misty Haley es una terapeuta matrimonial y familiar capacitada y con maestría. Sus áreas de especialización son la violencia doméstica (víctimas y perpetradores) y las relaciones. Su mayor habilidad es discernir patrones de comportamiento, así como trabajar con problemas y distanciamientos de la infancia. Como Misty también es abogada, aporta muchos problemas para resolverlos. Contacto: terrinhaley@gmail.com
Verónica Salcido has a doctorate in clinical psychology specializing in social and family psychology with focus on vulnerable populations, crisis intervention and conflict resolution. She has a psychotherapy practice that is open to individuals, couples an families and also offers Kundalini Yoga classes. Contact-
Verónica Salcido tiene un doctorado en psicología clínica con especialización en psicología social y familiar con enfoque en poblaciones vulnerables, intervención en crisis y resolución de conflictos. Tiene una práctica de psicoterapia abierta a individuos, parejas y familias y también ofrece clases de Kundalini Yoga. Contacto-
Gabriela Balin has more than 15 years of experience in grief management in helping to recover the emotional balance in the healthiest way and in the shortest possible time after a loss, such as that of a loved one, divorce, incurable disease, retirement, disappointment in love or empty-nest syndrome.
Gabriela Balin tiene más de 15 años de experiencia en el manejo del duelo ayudando a recuperar el equilibrio emocional de la forma más sana y en el menor tiempo posible tras una pérdida, como la de un ser querido, divorcio, enfermedad incurable, jubilación, Decepción amorosa o síndrome del nido vacío.
Liron Lachman is a licensed social worker and an emotional therapist that has 3 degrees in psychology and emotional therapy and over 12 years of professional experience- working in the public and private therapeutic sector with adults, children, and parents with different issues. Such as depression, anxiety, life crises, social problems, immigration etc. Liron is combining psychotherapy with spirit and soul, mind and heart. Contact-lironlachman@gmail.com
Liron Lachman es una trabajadora social autorizada y terapeuta emocional que tiene 3 títulos en psicología y terapia emocional y más de 12 años de experiencia profesional, trabajando en el sector terapéutico público y privado con adultos, niños y padres con diferentes problemas. Como depresión, ansiedad, crisis de vida, problemas sociales, inmigración, etc. Liron combina la psicoterapia con espíritu y alma, mente y corazón. Contacto-lironlachman@gmail.com
Sarah Sharpe is a registered Psychotherapist. She practices in English online, as well as offering in person sessions on Wednesdays. Sarah works with individuals and couples struggling with mental health, trauma, addictions and relationship concerns. Contact- talkingwithsarah@gmail.com
Sarah Sharpe es una psicoterapeuta registrada. Practica en inglés en línea usando Skype, y da sesiones en persona los miercoles. Sarah trabaja con personas y parejas que luchan con problemas de salud mental, traumas, adicciones y relaciones. Contacto- talkingwithsarah@gmail.com