Karla Gomez, a mental health professional specializing in addiction, discusses the profound impact of addiction on family relationships. She shares her journey from a culinary career to advocating for mental health, shaped by her Puerto Rican roots. The conversation explores the importance of viewing addiction through the lens of family dynamics and emphasizes a holistic treatment approach. Karla also highlights the necessity of fostering secure attachments in therapeutic relationships and the cultural differences in addressing mental health within families.
Karla Gomez emphasizes the importance of understanding addiction as a systemic issue, requiring family involvement in the therapeutic process.
The cultural context significantly shapes family perceptions of mental health, necessitating tailored treatment approaches that honor collectivist values.
Deep dives
Carla Gomez's Background and Approach to Mental Health
Carla Gomez has an extensive background in mental health care, which includes her work in crisis intervention and case management across various residential treatment settings. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, her experiences with socioeconomic changes and substance abuse in her community deeply influenced her career path. Initially pursuing culinary arts, she transitioned to mental health after witnessing the parallels between kitchen chaos and mental health issues. This background uniquely positions her to develop programs that support individuals not just during crises but through prevention and holistic healing practices.
Understanding Addiction as a Systemic Issue
Gomez conceptualizes addiction as a behavior stemming from a desire to disconnect from one's inner self, often exacerbated by systemic failures rather than individual choices. She emphasizes the necessity of moving discussions away from viewing the individual as the sole 'identified patient' and instead examining the family and community dynamics that contribute to addiction. By recognizing that the behaviors seen in addiction may reflect historical patterns within families, her approach promotes a more holistic understanding of mental health. This perspective allows for a deeper inquiry into generational influences on behavior, fostering a more comprehensive treatment framework.
Challenges of Engaging the Family System
Engaging family members in the therapeutic process can often be met with resistance, particularly when they perceive the issue as solely the individual's problem. Many clients and families are accustomed to traditional models of care that isolate the individual rather than integrate the family into the treatment journey. Gomez advocates for openly discussing the systemic nature of mental health issues, which includes educating families about their roles in supporting the identified patient. Her approach emphasizes transparency and the need for family members to engage in their own healing as a pivotal aspect of supporting the recovery of their loved one.
Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health Treatment
Cultural backgrounds significantly influence how families perceive mental health and engage in treatment processes. Gomez highlights the differences between American individualism and the collectivist values found in many Hispanic cultures, where addressing issues within the family is often prioritized. She notes that treatment modalities must respect these cultural nuances, fostering open dialogue about mental health while nurturing family cohesion. By bridging the gap between cultural perceptions and effective treatment strategies, Gomez aims to create a safe space for families to collectively address their challenges and enhance their overall well-being.
Today, Kirsty sits down with Karla Gomez, a mental health professional and provider, for a talk on addiction, therapeutic practices, and the effects it can have on your relationships, specifically with family.