An Ecological and Culturally Relevant Framework for Preventive and Clinical Interventions with Latinx Populations: One Size Does Not Fit All [Online]

Latinx populations in the US are affected by the lack of culturally appropriate mental health services. Unfortunately, mental health services for Latinos continue to be at risk of being informed by universal approaches, which carry the risk of overlooking the ways in which various Latinx sub-groups differ according to cultural values, contextual issues, historical immigration, adversity, and cultural identity issues.

In this workshop, Dr. Parra-Cardona will present a theoretical framework useful to inform preventive and clinical interventions with Latinxs. The model is grounded in more than 15 years of prevention and clinical research aimed at ensuring culturally relevant clinical services for a variety of Latinx sub-populations (e.g., foreign-born, US-born, adolescents, couples, families). The workshop will have an important emphasis on highlighting the ways in which the model can be used as a guiding framework to inform culturally competent clinical interventions with various Latinx populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be exposed to a theoretical and culturally relevant model for working with Latinx populations
• Participants will reflect about ways to integrate clinical intervention and cultural premises that are highly relevant in the lives of Latinx populations
• Participants will reflect and discuss implications for their clinical practice, taking into consideration specific characteristics of their target contexts and Latinx populations

Presenter:

Dr. Parra-Cardona, is an Associate Professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, where he serves as Coordinator for Latin American Initiatives. At the university level, he serves as the Area Director for Research at the UT Austin Latino Research Institute. In addition, he is Clinical Faculty and Researcher at the Regional Institute for the Family (IREFAM) in Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as member of the Board of Directors at the Research Family Center (CIFAC) in Monterrey, Mexico. He served as member of the Board of Directors and Vice-President of the Family Process Institute and is currently a member of the Board of Directors at the Society for Prevention Research.