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Growing up in a Hispanic household, mental health was rarely discussed. Anxiety was called “nervios”, sadness was “estar triste”, and seeking help could feel like weakness. As a Latina and a therapist living with anxiety and depression, I’ve learned that healing rarely happens in a straight line. Sometimes it’s found in therapy sessions, sometimes in community—and sometimes in the pages of a book you thought was just fiction.

Recently, I re-read Harry Potter Therapy: An Unauthorized Self-Help Book from the Restricted Section by Dr. Janina Scarlet. Dr. Scarlet writes, “Our favorite stories are not just entertainment. They’re roadmaps to resilience” (Scarlet, 2020, p. 5). That statement hit differently this time. Harry’s story—his grief, guilt, and trauma—mirrored my own experiences in ways I hadn’t noticed before. Reading about his hyper-vigilance, nightmares, and emotional numbing helped me understand my own anxiety and depression, reframing what I once saw as “weakness” into survival (Scarlet, 2020, pp. 44–48).

Dr. Scarlet also writes, “The characters in these books are not heroic in spite of their struggles, but because of them”(Scarlet, 2020, p. 10). That insight resonated deeply with my Hispanic/Latina experience. In our culture, resilience is often expected—through family responsibilities, navigating bicultural identities, and overcoming systemic challenges. Vulnerability is rarely celebrated. Reading this book reminded me that embracing our struggles is not weakness—it’s strength.

Today, I use this lens with my clients, inviting them to explore their own stories. For some, it’s Harry Potter. For others, it’s Encanto, Marvel, anime, or music. Whatever the story, the process is the same: recognizing that even in our darkest chapters, we are worthy of love, healing, and hope.

Even now, anxiety and depression appear, sometimes quietly, sometimes like Dementors ready to take all the light. But my Patronus is my therapy, mindfulness, community, cultural roots, and self-compassion. Healing isn’t about erasing our pain—it’s about transforming it (Scarlet, 2020, p. 175).

Reading this book reminded me that stories, culture, and reflection can be powerful tools in navigating mental health. For anyone struggling, especially within Hispanic/Latina communities where feelings are often minimized, know this: your pain is valid, your story is important, and your healing is possible. And that, I believe, is real magic.

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References:

Scarlet, J. (2020). Harry Potter therapy: An unauthorized self-help book from the restricted section. Hero House Publishing.

Photo by Ave Calvar Martinez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-white-horses-in-the-woods-3010291/