Professional CEU Sessions
Session C
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Room One
First Generation Americans & Mental Health
Zamanda Martínez, LPC Associate (Mending Clinic)
First Generation Americans face unique challenges balancing family of origin and their country's values. I will begin by sharing my personal story as a first generation Mexican American myself to engage audience. I will then share my story of hope and provide my credentials. I will touch on defining what a is a first generation American as defined by the United States Census Bureau compared to how we see first generation Americans defined in our communities. I will also touch on the most common mental health symptoms first gens are likely to experience. Discuss some common traits of a first gen individual and how the Maslow's Hierarchy of needs relates to the issues many may face at home with their parents while navigating college, professional careers or entrepreneurship. I will also touch on Barry's Model of Acculturation and help the audience understand the healthiest strategy is integration. I will also show a YouTube clip of Selena's experience with bicultural straddling before defining it to the audience. I will end by helping the audience find a way to show themselves self-compassion, understanding of themselves and their families. Conclude with helping audience recognize that they are more than a root system, all though the root system is so important, part of the journey towards long term health is helping the audience look beyond their cultural identity in themselves.
Objectives:
Learning how being a first generation American navigating two different cultures can significantly increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
Understanding how balancing family of origin and distinguishing your own values based on the experiences from the American Culture and how it can at times create an internal conflict when it does not align with the culture of their family. (using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs)
Learn how to find your own voice, set boundaries, and shift core beliefs about situation to improve mental health.
Room Two
Exploring the Impact of Double Consciousness on Mental Health: The Unique Challenges Faced by Afro-Latinas
Litza Christina Bodden (Shining Lights, LLC)
Karen C. Giddings
This presentation will explore the concept of double consciousness as it relates to Afro-Latinas, mental health, and discrimination. We will examine the unique challenges faced by Afro-Latinas in navigating multiple identities and cultural expectations, while also dealing with the discrimination and stigma that come with being both Black and Latinx. We will discuss the impact of double consciousness on mental health, including feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and depression. Additionally, we will explore how Afro-Latinas may be more likely to experience microaggressions and discrimination from both Black and Latinx communities, which can further exacerbate their mental health challenges. Finally, we will highlight the importance of creating inclusive and culturally sensitive mental health resources and support systems for Afro-Latinas. This can include efforts to address and dismantle systemic racism and discrimination, as well as initiatives to increase representation and visibility of Afro-Latinas in mental health advocacy and leadership roles. By recognizing and addressing the unique experiences of Afro-Latinas, we can work towards promoting mental health and well-being for all members of the community.
Objectives:
Identify the concept of double consciousness and its unique application to Afro-Latinas, including the challenges of navigating multiple identities and cultural expectations in the face of discrimination and stigma.
Understand the impact of double consciousness on mental health, including the increased risk of isolation, low self-esteem, depression, and the experience of microaggressions and discrimination from both Black and Latinx communities.
Recognize the importance of creating culturally sensitive mental health resources and support systems for Afro-Latinas, including efforts to address and dismantle systemic racism and discrimination and initiatives to increase representation and visibility of Afro-Latinas in mental health advocacy and leadership roles.
Room Three
Men Do Therapy
René Garcia (Garcia Mental Health)
"Men Do Therapy" focuses on how to better serve male clients who traditionally have not sought out mental health services in the past.
Objectives:
Challenge personal views on how clinicians serve Male clients.
Improve assessment/admission materials as well as treatment plans.
Provide a space to gain insight into current trends of Masculinity.
Room Four
Benefits of Laughter & So Much More!
Rosa Linda Cruz, LPC, CSC, CLYL & M.Ed.
The Benefits of Laughter emphasizes the positive effects on incorporating joy in our lives. The history, research and techniques are shared with participants to implement on a daily basis. The interactive laughter exercises allow everyone to directly engage in the beneficial aspects of this program. The research based process implements a professional and personal wellness approach in all settings for all ages.
Objectives:
Participants will learn the history and research of laughter
Participants will learn laughter exercises
Participants will engage in techniques to incorporate in personal and professional life
Room Seven
Play Therapy Techniques with the Latino Community
Norma Garcia, LCSW (Centro de Consejeria Familiar)
Amanda Ruiz Montero MSW (Centro de Consejeria Familiar)
This presentation explores play therapy techniques specifically tailored for the Latino community, taking into consideration their cultural background, values, and beliefs. Play therapy is an effective intervention for children, allowing them to express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through play. However, to ensure its efficacy, it is essential to employ culturally sensitive approaches that resonate with the unique needs and cultural identity of Latino children. This presentation highlights key strategies such as a bilingual approach, incorporating cultural symbols and toys, involving the family unit, encouraging art and expressive therapies in a culturally appropriate manner. By adopting these culturally sensitive play therapy techniques, mental health professionals can effectively support the emotional well-being and healing of Latino children within a culturally affirming therapeutic environment..
Objectives:
Understand the importance of cultural sensitivity when providing play therapy to children from the Latino community.
Explore strategies for creating a bilingual play therapy environment to ensure effective communication and cultural comfort for Latino children.
Recognize the significance of familial involvement and collaboration in play therapy with the Latino community and identify ways to engage and support family members.
Room Five
Intergenerational Trauma and Holistic Ways of Healing: Going Back to our Roots
Erica Sandoval, LCSW (Sandoval Colab – New York)
Budy Whitfield, LCSW
Rosita Marinez, MS-NPL, ADV-CSW, MSW
Elizabeth Conde, LCSW
Elizabeth Amadiz, MSW (Intern)
Drawing on the wisdom of the Latinx/e in Social Work collective and the combined decades of experience we have as professional healers, we will initiate a discussion around the unified idea of wellbeing in our community, especially from a decolonial perspective. The intersection of our latinidad and social work training makes us acutely aware of how the mental health field devalues non-western healing practices and the harm this perpetuates. Participants will learn about las heridas intergeneracionales (our intergenerational wounds), decolonizing healing, and connecting with the ancestral wisdom that colonialism has tried to destroy. We refuse to let western confinements of psychology and medicine continue to limit, pathologize, and retraumatize our clients and our community. We are also happy to do one session of this talk in English and another in Spanish.
Objectives:
We will discuss our las heridas intergeneracionales (our intergenerational wounds) – the ways trauma shows up in our bodies and gets passed on to our families and communities. Stemming from centuries of colonization, migration, and acculturation, our wounds run deep and are constantly reopened yet simultaneously denied in western healing spaces. We will explore the importance of validating the existence of this trauma and recognizing how it presents individually and systemically.
As the great Audre Lorde said, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” That is why we will reclaim and make space for the ancestral healing practices that western mental health professions have long derided. The indigenous and holistic methods of healing we will discuss include group work, plant medicine, connection with nature, energy work, meditation, movement, song, chants, rituals, breathwork, prayer, and cleansing practices like palo santo.
Our ancestral wisdom built glorious indigenous civilizations and communities. Colonization has robbed us of that collective prosperity, but within us still lives the voices of our ancestors. We will discuss how connecting with our ancestral wisdom is key to authentic healing and what our ancestors can teach us about building a more beautiful future for our communities.
Room Six
LatinX Leaders
Cristela Garcia, LCSW (NorthEast Lakeview College – San Antonio)
Utilizing a cultural humility approach in mental health care settings is an integral part of access to care. The ability of mental health providers to understand the needs of clients, provide interventions and lead the system of care effectively requires exceptional leadership. In this session, participants will learn about practical strategies and skills that can be implemented in mental health care settings while working with Hispanic individuals and or other diverse groups.
Objectives:
Overview of current leadership trends.
Learn to integrate cultural humility in order to lead effectively.
Review specific practical leadership skills..
