How to Find a Bilingual Spanish-English Trauma Therapist in Miami

A bilingual Spanish-English trauma therapist lets you speak in whichever language feels most natural, or both, in the same session. I'm a bilingual trauma therapist in Coral Gables, Miami, offering in-person sessions and virtual therapy anywhere in Florida. Here's why language matters in trauma therapy and what to look for in a bilingual therapist.

Why does therapy in your own language matter?

Feelings often live in the language you first felt them in. A memory with your mom might come out in Spanish, while a work problem comes out in English. Some feelings only make sense in the language you first felt them in.

In my sessions, you never have to translate yourself. You can switch mid-sentence, and I'll follow.

Many clients choose virtual sessions so they can talk from home, where speaking Spanish feels natural. Others prefer the calm of the Coral Gables office. Either way, you get the same bilingual care.

Using the exact words you grew up with, like a phrase your abuela used or something your dad always said, can bring up feelings a translation would miss. Those words often carry the emotion we need to work with.

What should a bilingual therapist understand about Hispanic families?

A good fit understands more than the language. Many women grew up with strong family loyalty and unspoken rules like "de eso no se habla." Some were the responsible one, the translator, or the one who kept the peace.

Putting yourself first can feel selfish, even when you know you need it. In therapy, we can honor your family and still make room for what you needed and didn't get.

These dynamics aren't problems to fix. They're part of your story, and they deserve a therapist who understands them without a long explanation.

What can a bilingual trauma therapist help with?

I work with adult women dealing with childhood emotional neglect, emotional abuse, stalking, infidelity, and relationship trauma, including complex trauma from years of ongoing hurt. Many also have ADHD, anxiety, burnout, or a heaviness that won't lift. Some have chronic health issues that seem tied to stress.

I use somatic therapy, Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), and DBT skills, and all of them work in Spanish just as well as in English.

Many of my clients are first- or second-generation, balancing family expectations with their own goals. We can talk openly about both without judging either one.

Can I see a bilingual therapist online or in person?

Yes, either one. In-person sessions are in Coral Gables, and virtual sessions are available anywhere in Florida. Sessions range from $200 to $400 depending on length, private pay, and can be in Spanish, English, or a mix.

Si te identificas con esto, I'd love to talk. Book a free 15-minute intro call in English or Spanish to see if we're a good fit.

Nicole San Martin, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, Casa Sol Psychology

Research

• Seto, A., & Forth, N. L. A. (2020). What is known about bilingual counseling? A systematic review of the literature. The Professional Counselor, 10(3), 393–405. https://doi.org/10.15241/as.10.3.393

• Verkerk, L., Backus, A., Faro, L., Dewaele, J.-M., & Das, E. (2021). Language choice in psychotherapy of multilingual clients: Perspectives from multilingual therapists. Language and Psychoanalysis, 10(2), 4–22. https://doi.org/10.7565/landp.v10i2.5542