Working With and Counseling Latin American Clients

Fulfills requirement: Diversity and Multicultural Issues

Latin Americans are the largest racial/ethnic minority group in the United States and are expected to comprise approximately 25% of the population by 2045. Great disparities exist in the U.S. between perceived mental health needs and utilization of services. As Latin Americans differ according to national origin, geographical location, immigration or refugee status, religion, socioeconomic background, gender, and sexuality, a culturally-responsive approach that addresses clients’ specific lived experiences is warranted.

This advanced beginner/intermediate course was developed to provide mental health professionals with an in-depth opportunity to improve their understanding of Latin Americans and gain tools necessary to better provide mental health care for this population. The first section of the course provides an understanding of the different terminology used to describe Latin Americans (e.g., Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx) and an overview of the historical and cultural issues that are relevant for mental health professionals. Issues of gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and religion are considered as well.

In the second section, the course reviews best practices for non-Latin American therapists who work with Latin American clients. Cultural themes (e.g., personalismo, familismo), strategies to approach diversity in psychotherapy, and tips for approaching race and ethnicity in psychotherapy with Latin Americans are addressed. Issues involved in clients’ acculturation/assimilation, immigration, citizenship status, trauma, barriers to the utilization of mental health services, and beliefs and stigmas about mental illness and treatment are discussed. Important clinical considerations in working with Latin American children, adolescents, adults, and elderly clients in individual, group, and/or family therapy settings are provided. The course concludes with an interview with Dr. Natalie Reinfeld, a Latin American mental health professional who discusses important clinical considerations.