Since the early months of the training year, participants in NCAL MHTP’s Bilingual Training Program have been meeting for two hours each week to engage in didactic sessions on modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy, all conducted in Spanish. Clinical Supervisor Patrizia Meunier, LMFT shared that the program, which began in 2016, was designed to recruit trainees who speak languages other than English and possess a wide range of lived experiences. While the current focus is on Spanish, Patrizia envisions this program as a model for expanding to other languages in the near future.
The program has seen significant growth since its inception, expanding from just two trainees in its first year to approximately 20 trainees currently. Patrizia, along with her colleagues Veronica Ochoa, LCSW, BCD and Jorge Becerra, LMFT rotate in facilitating didactics and case consultations throughout the training year. They also maintain a comprehensive website that includes numerous additional resources on the topics covered.
This year’s trainees have expressed positive feedback about the program, emphasizing its value in their development as clinicians. Psychology postdoctoral resident Danielle Gonzalez, who provides services to children and families in both English and Spanish, remarked, “Not only am I learning treatments in Spanish and how to practice cultural humility, but I also get a sense of community with the other trainees.”
Post Master’s Fellow Selena Salazar echoed this sentiment, stating, “Although I had completed a Spanish-speaking course in graduate school, I believe this program has a direct approach to supporting our Latine population. I have enjoyed learning the spiritual component from Veronica Ochoa and view it as a strength/protective factor that patients can lean on. Lastly, the continued support received from my cohort during the case conceptualization portion of the training has been phenomenal.”
As a non-Hispanic/Latine Post Master’s Fellow, I feel deeply grateful to be participating in the program. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from my colleagues’ experiences and gain their perspectives on cases as I prepare to provide therapy in Spanish.
Contribute by: Sasha Zients, Associate Post Master’s Fellow
