Get Inspired with #HispaFam - June 2025 Newsletter

Jun 13

Written By Hispanic Family Counseling WEB

“You are the key.
You are the change.
And without you, the world wouldn’t be the same.”
-***Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO,*** *Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.*

Reflection June 2025

Here I am, back at my desk once again, picking up our conversation from last month…
I ended by telling you:
“You are the key, you are the change. That’s why I insist: without you, the world wouldn’t be the same!”

Today, as I observe my surroundings and pay attention to what’s happening, two words come to mind: uncertainty and hope.

We know that life is often uncertain. It’s hard to make decisions, to act at the right or perfect moment—knowing what to do can feel confusing and complicated. Uncertainty makes us feel vulnerable, and we often see it as something negative.

But what if it’s not entirely so?
What if that discomfort also brings unexpected benefits?
What if that very moment of pause is what allows us to grow?

In the face of everything we see and hear—things that often sadden, trouble, or worry us—we’re left with a choice: to stay in uncertainty or embrace hope.

The truth is, we can’t deny the uncertainty of these times. But it’s equally true that we hold the power to choose how we respond. We can build hope and focus on what brings well-being, beyond the noise and negativity.

Maybe, like me, you’ve asked yourself:
What role do I play in all of this?
How can I transform uncertainty when I have no control over what’s happening?
How can I contribute to change?

I told you before and I’ll say it again:
You are the key. You are the change.

Author Maggie Jackson put it this way:
“Uncertainty is the springboard to deeper thinking.”

And Daniel Kahneman, psychologist and economist, calls uncertainty “slow thinking.”
Research has shown that uncertainty sharpens our attention, makes us more aware of our thoughts, and drives us to think more clearly.
So even if it doesn’t seem like it, uncertainty can also be a gift: a chance to act with greater clarity and depth.

Then there’s hope—something we should never be ashamed of.
Hope sustains us, encourages us, and helps us see what truly matters. It shifts us from fear to trust. And when we make that shift, we build resilience. Amid challenges and hardship, we become more capable of helping others too. We can guide them to pause, to “think slowly,” and to focus on what really matters.

So in the meantime, don’t forget:

You are the key.
You are the change.
And without you, the world wouldn’t be the same.

-Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.

A historic step for suicide prevention in our Hispanic churches!

At Hispanic Family Counseling, we’ve had the privilege of adapting the Soul Shop program for our Hispanic communities — making it culturally sensitive and relevant to our reality, our stories of faith, and our unique needs.

Last week, our president trained the first national group of Hispanic trainers who are now ready to bring this message of hope to churches across the country.

Through this effort, we continue our mission: to create safe communities , speak boldly about suicide , and offer pathways to healing in the midst of pain.

God has placed this project in our hands , and we are ready to respond with love, knowledge, and compassion.

#SoulShopHispano #HispaFam #PrevenciónDelSuicidio #Esperanza #SaludMental #IglesiasHispanas

Legacy of Champions Luncheon

Our Executive Director, Dr. Nidia Medina , attended the Legacy of Champions Luncheon organized by the Mental Health Association of Central Florida .

This event honored leaders who advocate for mental health in our community . We are proud to have a leader who represents with passion, empathy, and action .

Thank you, Dr. Medina, for being an active and committed voice!

#HispaFam #SaludMental #LiderazgoConPropósito #LegacyOfChampions #MHACF #BienestarComunitario

Celebrating leadership and female empowerment!

Our CEO, Nidia Medina, was honored to be a panelist at El Poder de Ser Mujer – Orlando Edition 2025, hosted by Brújula Empresarial.

It was a powerful gathering filled with inspiration, connection, and shared purpose, created to uplift and empower Latina professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the Orlando region.

Attendees walked away with practical tools, powerful insights, and motivating messages to support both personal and professional growth.

Thank you to everyone who made this event such a meaningful experience. The power of being a woman is something to feel, live, and celebrate!

#MujeresQueInspiran #FuerzaLatina #HispaFam #BrújulaEmpresarial

If you want to learn more about our work and impact on communities, follow us on our social media platforms.

➡️ Read the new blog post:

Summer, Nature, and Mental Wellness: Reconnecting for Resilience

Summer in Florida is more than just heat and sunshine—it's a season filled with opportunities to reconnect with ourselves, our families, and the natural world around us.

At Hispanic Family Counseling, we believe that wellness is not only found in therapy rooms—it can also bloom outdoors, where nature becomes a powerful tool for healing, calming the mind, and building emotional strength.

🌞 Nature: A Natural Medicine for the Mind

Spending time in nature has been proven to:

Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve focus and mood
Boost resilience in children and adults
Help regulate emotions and improve sleep

And the best part? It’s free and accessible. Whether it’s your backyard, a neighborhood park, or a short trip to the beach or forest—nature welcomes us as we are.

🌳 Summer Activities to Connect With Nature

Here are simple, screen-free ways to nourish your family’s emotional health outdoors this summer:

1. Mindful Nature Walks

Encourage children to walk slowly and notice what they see, hear, and smell. Ask them to collect a "nature treasure" like a rock or leaf, and talk about what it reminds them of.

2. Create a Backyard Wellness Spot

Lay out a blanket under a tree, bring water, books, or art supplies, and spend 30 minutes relaxing together—no agenda, just presence.

3. Nature Journaling

Use a notebook to draw or write about the shapes of clouds, colors of flowers, or even the sounds of birds. Include gratitude reflections: “What did nature teach me today?”

4. Family Forest Therapy Moments

Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), spend quiet time among trees. Breathe slowly. Notice. Just be. Even 15 minutes can help reset a stressed mind.

🌈 Why Nature Supports Resilience

Children and adults alike build emotional strength when they slow down, disconnect from devices, and tune into nature. It helps:

Regulate the nervous system
Encourage creativity and problem-solving
Improve social connections through shared outdoor play

When families share outdoor experiences, they also strengthen communication and bonding—essential elements for emotional resilience.

💚 Make it Intentional

This summer, try setting one simple goal:

“Let’s be outside together at least 3 times a week.”

It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Even a walk at sunset or sitting under the stars can spark meaningful moments—and mental clarity.

Final Words

Healing doesn't always require a couch. Sometimes, it looks like dirt under our fingernails, sand in our shoes, or sun on our face.

Nature reminds us that everything grows at its own pace, and so do we.

Let this summer be a season of grounding, growing, and remembering how good it feels to just be.

And remember, we’re here to support your family’s emotional wellness—inside and out.

Hispanic Family Counseling – Because healing is rooted in connection.

By:Sheila Burgos

Xiomara Sánchez, PMH
Provisional Mental Health Counselor Licensee

Xiomara was born and grew up in Puerto Rico where she completed a bachelor's degree in Sociology at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus in 2006. She also completed a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at University of Phoenix, Puerto Rico campus in 2013. She has more than 6 years of experience on individual counseling for children, adolescents and adults. Currently, she is a Provisional Mental Health Counselor Licensee. She is proud to serve Hispanic community in Florida and guide them to self -discover to improve mental health.