Brenda wants to talk to her Mexican dad about his history with alcohol abuse and the violence it caused, but he's usually closed off about it. And Katheryn Perez, a therapist who works with first-gen and BIPOC clients, offers strategies for broaching the subject with empathy and care—for everyone involved, including ourselves.

Featured Expert: 

Katheryn Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. Her work is largely guided by her own life experiences as an immigrant woman of color who was raised in South Central LA. Her background helps her understand the complex issues that often affect people of color — including the extent to which family violence, housing instability, lack of resources, discrimination, immigration status and intergenerational trauma — and how they can prevent clients from accomplishing goals and living the best life possible. Katheryn has a client-centered approach that is trauma-informed with a social justice lens.Learn more about her work here.

Katheryn recommends anon.org/">Al-Anon for family members, partners, and friends worried about a loved one struggling with a drinking problem; the National Domestic Violence Hotline for anyone seeking support anywhere in the U.S, and Peace Over Violence for anyone based in California; and this great resource for finding support in your local state/county. 

If you liked this show listen to When Mamí Has a Drinking Problem and When Mamí & Papí Fight.

We’d love to hear your stories of triumph and frustration so send us a detailed voice memo to virginia@lwcstudios.com. You might be on a future episode! Let’s connect on Twitter and Instagram at @TalkToMamiPapi and email us at hello@talktomamipapi.com. And follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.