The MHTP is excited to showcase one of our new specialty training programs. The Bilingual Specialty Training commenced on October 17th, welcoming 19 trainees.
This program offers a significant opportunity for future clinicians across various educational levels, including Doctorate, Postmaster, Practicum, and Premaster trainees. It is designed to merge theoretical treatment methods with necessary cultural adaptations to provide effective mental health care for the Latinx community. By enhancing the skills of bilingual clinicians, the program aims to elevate the quality of services delivered to Spanish-speaking patients at Kaiser.
Key Features of the Program:
Didactics and Consultation: Each week, participants engage in one hour of didactic training followed by one hour of consultation, fostering an interactive and collaborative learning atmosphere. The program is structured into four quarters, each lasting eight weeks:
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- First Quarter: Emphasis on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focusing on cultural values.
- Second Quarter: Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), which incorporates spirituality and religion into psychotherapy.
- Third Quarter: Concentration on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in Spanish, featuring role plays and discussions.
- Fourth Quarter: Learning cognitive restructuring techniques while taking into account non-dominant cultural perspectives.
Circular Learning: This approach promotes circular learning, allowing participants to share experiences and insights, thus enriching the group’s collective knowledge.
Tiered Fluency Levels: The program features two tiers to accommodate varying levels of Spanish fluency:
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- Tier 1: For trainees who understand and read Spanish but may not feel confident providing services in Spanish.
- Tier 2: For trainees who offer services in Spanish and have successfully passed the Qualified Bilingual Specialist Test (QBS). This year, the program will cover the cost of the QBS.
Led by a dedicated team, including founder Patrizia Meunier, MFT, alongside clinicians Jorge Becerra, LCSW, and Veronica Ochoa, LCSW, the program is devoted to enhancing care for the Latinx community.
The specialty will continue to accept trainees on an ongoing basis. If you are interested in joining, please reach out to Patrizia Meunier at patrizia.meunier@kp.org.
Contributed by: Patrizia Meunier, MFT, Jorge Becerra, LCSW, and Veronica Ochoa, LCSW
