Engaging Parents of Latinx LGBTQ Youth: A Culturally Sensitive Stance of the Therapist [Online]

We recognize that despite the willingness in our profession to discuss and address issues of diversity, including sexuality, LGBTQ+ Latinx families have to adjust to mainstream models rather than the model meeting their cultural needs. When Latinx families struggle meeting the emotional needs of their LGBTQ children and adolescents, engagement in services is critical. As therapists, we can acknowledge that many of these families suffer when parents feel misunderstood in their efforts to support their LGBTQ children.

Using a relational and culturally sensitive approach, we will learn about crucial opportunities of engagement by taking a non-hierarchical, non-judgmental and non-pathologizing position.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a deep understanding of the importance of engagement as a continuing process to help parents connect more authentically and empathically with their Latinx LGBTQ youth
• Create space for an examination of the therapist’s social locations and how impacts the therapeutic process
• Increase your ability of staying culturally sensitive in order to understand how cultural perspectives impact family relationships

Presenters:

Nestor Borrero-Bracero, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at Borough of Manhattan Community College Counseling Center. He is a doctoral graduate from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. He is a Project Associate in The Latino Youth and Family Immigration Project: Dímelo en Español at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. His clinical work is influenced by the Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA), principles of social justice, and narrative therapy approaches.

Silvia B. Espinal, LCSW, began her family therapy training while being a graduate student at NYU Silver School of Social Work. She is the Director of the Latino Youth and Family Immigration Project: Dímelo en Español and a Faculty member at the Ackerman Institute. As a Latina migrant and a family therapist, Silvia’s biculturalism and bilingualism have helped her grow a genuine and unique passion for the immigrant experience. She uses a multicultural stance throughout her work with families. In addition to having a private practice in New York City seeing a wide range of diverse populations, Silvia has extensive experience working in community mental health clinics and large urban medical settings.