Moving to a new country is life-changing—but not always in the ways people expect. For immigrants and long-time residents alike, adjusting to Canadian life can bring stress, anxiety, identity struggles, and emotional burnout. In this episode of Thrive in Canada, host Cherie Mercado sits down with Claudia Jones and Teresa Salazar—registered therapists and founders of Well Journey Services—to talk about mental health, culturally adapted therapy, and why asking for help is a courageous first step.
Whether you’re grieving the life you left behind, juggling multiple jobs, or quietly breaking down behind a brave face, this episode is a must-listen.
🌍 The Immigrant Mental Load: “Why Am I Struggling So Much?”
Immigrants leave behind familiarity, support systems, and even careers. In return, they face:
- Language barriers
- Job mismatches and survival work
- Cultural dislocation
- Grief and unprocessed trauma
- Pressure to appear strong
“We feel like we were stronger back home. But here, everything’s harder—making a call, buying groceries, even making friends,” Teresa shares.
“You’re not weak. Your system is overwhelmed.”
🧠 What Is Culturally Adapted Therapy?
Many traditional therapy models were developed for white, English-speaking, heterosexual individuals. But immigrants need a different kind of care—one that considers race, gender, identity, culture, and language.
“We’re like onions,” says Claudia. “You have to peel back the layers in the language and culture the client feels safest in.”
At Well Journey, that means:
- Trauma-informed, anti-oppressive therapy
- Therapy in English and Spanish (with hopes of adding more languages in the future!)
- Flexible payment options and free therapy for refugees under Canada’s Interim Federal Health Program
💬 “Your Accent Is a Sign of Courage”
Shame and stigma around mental health can be especially strong in immigrant families. Asking for help is often seen as weakness—or worse, selfishness. Claudia and Teresa are here to change that narrative.
“If you’re asking for help, it means you want to heal,” says Teresa.
“That’s not weakness. That’s strength.”
🛑 Barriers to Therapy—and What You Can Do
Too many immigrants face:
- Long waitlists
- No insurance coverage
- Therapists who don’t understand their cultural context
- Difficulty expressing emotion in a second language
That’s why Well Journey created an inclusive, welcoming space where people don’t need to explain who they are before they start healing.
🔁 Friends vs. Therapists: What’s the Difference?
Friends listen. Therapists hold space—without judgment, without history, and with training.
“You need both,” says Claudia.
“But only a therapist can help you separate you from your problem. That’s where healing starts.”
🧭 How to Know When to Reach Out
- You feel stuck or overwhelmed.
- You can’t shake sadness, anxiety, or guilt.
- You’re masking how you feel—especially around your family.
- You’ve lost interest in the things that used to bring you joy.
- You feel disconnected from your culture, identity, or sense of purpose.
You don’t need a diagnosis to start therapy. You just need a desire to feel better.
🌱 The Founders Walked This Path Too
Both Claudia and Teresa were immigrants first, therapists second. They understand what it’s like to:
- Be highly educated but under-recognized
- Struggle with identity and connection
- Mask your feelings just to get through the day
“I was a psychologist in my home country,” says Teresa.
“But when I moved to Canada, I went through three years of depression. I needed help too—and that’s why I do this work now.”
✨ Tips for Healing Beyond Therapy
- Practice reflection (off-screen)
- Set boundaries—even with loved ones
- Cook food from your culture
- Unplug from your phone before bed
- Walk in nature, dance, listen to music from home
- Use mental health apps for meditation or breathwork
- Talk to elders and connect with cultural wisdom
📞 How to Reach Well Journey Services
Well Journey offers:
- One-on-one therapy
- Couples counseling
- Group sessions
- Services in English and Spanish
- Free therapy for eligible refugees and refugee claimants
📍 Call: 647-205-8489
📩 Email: info@welljourneyservices.com
🌐 Visit: www.welljourneyservices.com
📱 Instagram / LinkedIn: @WellJourneyServices
Final Thoughts from Cherie:
“It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s more than okay to ask for help. Therapy isn’t just about fixing something that’s broken—it’s about reconnecting with yourself. And you don’t have to do it alone.”
🎧 Catch the full episode of Thrive in Canada—where real talk meets real healing.
Whether you’re struggling quietly or thriving out loud, we’re here for the journey.
