Indigenous Treatments: Dichos

Dichos, also known as refranes, are Spanish-language sayings that can be used as a psychotherapeutic tool when working with Latino clients. Proverbs, aphorisms, and adages are other English terms that are often used interchangeably to refer to the same concept. Dichos are brief, humorous, moralistic, and picturesque statements that express what many individuals from [Page 251]the same cultural group accept as representative of their perspective about the human condition. They are considered significant core beliefs in the development of moral standards, attitudes, and social conduct within a culture. Dichos address numerous and diverse subjects and may be philosophical, psychological, or religious in nature. They commonly fall into one or more of the following categories: food; love and marriage; work and monetary issues; and friendship, family, and human relations. Dichos are used frequently by Latinos to demonstrate or illustrate a point, reconcile a disagreement, give advice to a family member or friend, or merely entertain.

In psychotherapy, dichos can be an effective and culturally sensitive tool when used with Latino Spanish-speaking clients with varying levels of acculturation and bilingualism. Because dichos are important in Latino culture and spoken in the client's language, they can facilitate communication and participation in the therapeutic process. They may be used to develop rapport, decrease resistance, address critical and sensitive issues, enhance motivation and cultural identity, explore emotions and feelings, and reframe or gain insight into problems. It is important to note, however, that the examples provided here should be used with caution because of within-group diversity.

Latino clients relate easily to dichos and appreciate the therapist's efforts to recognize their cultural background; this, in turn, can reduce anxiety and resistance and enhance trust, especially with defensive patients. In particular, dichos are effective in building rapport, and essentially any dicho can be useful for this purpose. Examples of dichos include the following: hablando se entiende la gente (things become clear through communication) and de médico, poeta, músico y loco, todos tenemos un poco (of a doctor, poet, musician, and madman, we each have a trace).

The use of dichos is a nonthreatening way to approach the discussion of critical and sensitive issues. They can also enhance motivation–for example, no hay mal que por bien no venga (there is nothing bad from which good does not come) or la esperanza es lo último que muere (hope dies last of all). Some dichos can aid in the exploration of the Latino client's values and experiences by tapping the client's sense of self and cultural identity. For example, one dicho might say, más vale un momento de pie que toda una vida de rodillas (it is better to stand on your feet for a moment than to be an entire life on your knees).

Dichos are useful in the exploration of emotions and feelings, for example, solo quien carga el morral sabe lo que lleva adentro (only the person who carries the bag knows its contents). Feelings of belonging, hope, and empathy can be communicated through certain dichos, such as, a cada capillita se le llega su fiestecita (each person will have his/her day of reward). Finally, the utilization of dichos can help clients to gain insight and reframe problems–for example, todo depende del cristal con que se mire (everything is a reflection of the mirror from which it is seen).

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