The Latino Mental Health Program aims to increase the number of Latino mental health service providers in the United States by providing specialized master’s and doctoral level training in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. The program provides mental health professionals (both Latino and non-Latino) with the language skills, cultural sensitivity, and clinical competence that will enable them to deliver high-quality care to Latino populations. By training mental health leaders who can create, direct, and deliver high-quality services, the program hopes to aid in eliminating societal disparities that exist in relation to access and quality of mental health care.
The concentration focuses on teaching cultural competence through didactics and practice that give students the opportunity to learn about cultural and sociopolitical differences amongst Latin countries, the impact of immigration and acculturation, and other contextual factors that impact the health and access to care of Latinos in the United States. Students participate in a four-week immersion trip to Ecuador where they stay with local families and work with local psychologists in different rotations. Students also engage in clinical work with individuals of Latino backgrounds through their field placement experiences at WJC. Opportunities for local immersion experiences are available for students who cannot travel internationally to fulfill the concentration requirements.
All courses are offered every other Wednesday evening from 6:40 pm to 8:30 pm. The summer immersion group travels from third week in July to third week in August.
All Doctoral level students in the clinical psychology and school psychology programs can use electives to fulfill LMHP requirements. Masters level students in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and School Psychology MA/ CAGS who are enrolled in LMHP, will graduate with extra credits.