"Dichos" therapy group: a therapeutic use of Spanish language proverbs with hospitalized Spanish-speaking psychiatric patients.

Physical, emotional, and cultural barriers have resulted in the underutilization of mental health services by Hispanic/Latino individuals. Described in this article is a culturally sensitive intervention that has been developed based on existing elements within Hispanic/Latino culture. The therapeutic uses of dichos--Spanish language proverbs and refranes (sayings)--are explored in the treatment of a regressed population of Hispanic/Latino psychiatric inpatients. The dichos therapy group described in this article utilizes dichos to draw patients into discussions about a wide range of issues, and is able to do so where other efforts fail because of their cultural and familial relevance, vivid imagry, and the flexibility with which they can be used. This intervention effectively facilitates building rapport, decreasing defensiveness, enhancing motivation and participation in therapy, improving self-esteem, focusing attention, stimulating emotional exploration and articulation of feelings, and development of insight, and assists in exploring cultural values and identity. Clinical examples are provided to exemplify these therapeutic effects.