Clichés abound these days. We hear the same platitudes being shouted from the rooftops, even amongst those within our community. “Just work harder!” “If I can do it, so can you!” “Stop expecting handouts!” Yes, Latinos seem to be quite fond of the whole “hard work equals success” mantra. As a result, from among many Read More

The prevalence of mental illness has risen over the years, primarily because our diagnostic tools have greatly improved, and our scientific understanding of mental illness has grown exponentially. However, when a close family member is the person afflicted with mental illness, our method of helping the person is often clouded by our great desire to Read More

The holiday season has drawn to a close, and for many, it has left memories of fun celebrations, gatherings with friends and family, and reminders of unconditional love and support. The sad reality remains, however, that for some the holiday season instead represented a time of somber reflection on past trauma. And as individuals seek Read More

As the curtain comes down on another year, many of us will take some time to sit back and reflect. And as the dawn of a new year approaches, many of us will also attempt to adopt a resolution that will lead to self-improvement, greater happiness, and a better quality of life. As I reflect Read More

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, most of us find ourselves in full-fledged holiday mode. Regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof), the time between Thanksgiving and the end of December is usually the time when we are able to spend the most time with family and loved ones. But as we shop for presents, Read More

When working with an at-risk population of adolescents, listening to stories of triumph and tragedy makes a person appreciate the resilience of our youth. However, I have also heard many stories of profound trauma and pain, stories that have admittedly kept me awake at night, questioning my faith in human beings. I estimate that over Read More