Psychological Services to Spanish-Speaking Populations: A Model Curriculum for Training Competent Professionals

The competent delivery of mental health services to Spanish-speaking clients requires knowledge of Latino cultures, racial and ethnic identity development, variables that impact service delivery, and the Spanish language. We present the Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations (PSSSP)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Training and education in professional psychology 2011-05, Vol.5 (2), p.81-87
Main Authors: Biever, Joan L, Gómez, John P, González, Cynthia G, Patrizio, Nina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bilingualism
Clients
Clinical Methods Training
Ethnic Identity
Latinos/Latinas
Mental Health
Mental Health Services
Professional Competence
Psychotherapy
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Summary:The competent delivery of mental health services to Spanish-speaking clients requires knowledge of Latino cultures, racial and ethnic identity development, variables that impact service delivery, and the Spanish language. We present the Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations (PSSSP) program as a model for training mental health professionals to deliver services to Spanish-speaking clients. The goals for the program were to improve participants' oral and written Spanish language proficiency in work-related contexts and to improve multicultural competence in service delivery to Latino clients. Recommendations for those who wish to offer similar programs include (a) grouping trainees according to Spanish language proficiency, (b) using Spanish language instructors with expertise in teaching heritage language learners, and (c) developing criterion references or measures to assess program outcomes.
ISSN:1931-3918
1931-3926
DOI:10.1037/a0023535