Cultural Psychology programs?

[psych.dreamer]

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What programs are there that have a specialization in the mental health of immigrants (Perhaps Hispanic/Latino populations, although I'm willing to look into other ones as well)?
It doesn't matter so much to me if it's a Masters, PsyD, or PhD.. As long as it's accredited and leads to licensure.

I know the Chicago School of Professional Psychology has a similar program (this would be the closest one to where I live), but I don't know anything about the school and how reputable it is.

 

[WisNeuro]

I'd look more at the externships of programs than any specific "track." Also, stay away from the CSPP, absolutely terrible reputation.

 

[erg923]

What programs are there that have a specialization in the mental health of immigrants (Perhaps Hispanic/Latino populations, although I'm willing to look into other ones as well)?
It doesn't matter so much to me if it's a Masters, PsyD, or PhD.. As long as it's accredited and leads to licensure.

I know the Chicago School of Professional Psychology has a similar program (this would be the closest one to where I live), but I don't know anything about the school and how reputable it is.

I don't think this is really a thing.

The mental health of "immigrants" (whatever you are meaning by that) should not be viewed any differently than anyone else's mental health. Obviously, working with the population it would be enormously helpful to have solid training in trauma and trauma informed treatment models and cross-cultural models of psychopathology

 

[psych.dreamer]

I'd look more at the externships of programs than any specific "track." Also, stay away from the CSPP, absolutely terrible reputation.

I will definitely rule out CSPP then.

 

[psych.dreamer]

I don't think this is really a thing.

The mental health of "immigrants" (whatever you are meaning by that) should not be viewed any differently than anyone else's mental health. Obviously, working with the population it would be enormously helpful to have solid training in trauma and trauma informed treatment models and cross-cultural models of psychopathology

http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2015/04/spanish-speaking-resources.aspx

These programs, for example. I just wasn't sure which ones were reputable, which is what I'm trying to find out.

 

[erg923]

http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2015/04/spanish-speaking-resources.aspx

These programs, for example. I just wasn't sure which ones were reputable, which is what I'm trying to find out.

Ok. And for us uninformed, what exactly is "Latino behavioral health training?"

 

[MiaWallace]

OP, I also wonder if you are looking for folks who do research into acculturation and immigration related stress? I know there are many faculty who focus on such issues, perhaps it will be helpful to use these terms in your search. I also would advocate for Counseling Psychology programs, as they have historically focused on issues pertaining to marginalized populations.

 

[WisNeuro]

There are several schools on that list with very poor reputations. Check their APA-accredited match and EPPP pass rates.

 

[psych.dreamer]

Ok. And for us uninformed, what exactly is "Latino behavioral health training?"

I'm equally uninformed. It's just something that I'm looking into, since I have a strong interest in people from other countries.

 

[erg923]

I'm equally uninformed. It's just something that I'm looking into, since I have a strong interest in people from other countries.

That's my point, right? This is not a thing, as neither of us can define what this is/means.

 

[psych.dreamer]

There are several schools on that list with very poor reputations. Check their APA-accredited match and EPPP pass rates.

I'll do that, thanks

 

[Justanothergrad]

Personally, I would look to advisors who specialize in the population/setting rather than a program as a whole. As others have said, many programs on that list are very poor in quality. You would be better off finding a good program with a good mentor who has similar research interests as a starting point. That training is more important to effective intervention than if a program is considered to 'specialize in a given area'. After you do so, then identify areas where those professors/good quality schools are located that are likely to have externships that represent the population and clinical settings that you would like to work with in the future. From a career standpoint, language skills will be a huge boon to your ability to market and effectively intervene and I can't recommend enough developing those communication skills if you do not already have them. I would define what you want to do and where you want to do it as a career first, before any of that.

 

[psych.dreamer]

That's my point, right? This is not a thing, as neither of us can define what this is/means.

Isn't it a thing since those were listed on the APA website? I'm sure they have some definition of it, since they are providing relevant programs.

 

[psych.dreamer]

OP, I also wonder if you are looking for folks who do research into acculturation and immigration related stress? I know there are many faculty who focus on such issues, perhaps it will be helpful to use these terms in your search. I also would advocate for Counseling Psychology programs, as they have historically focused on issues pertaining to marginalized populations.

Thank you. I might try to look into some Counseling Psych programs as well.

 

[erg923]

Isn't it a thing since those were listed on the APA website? I'm sure they have some definition of it, since they are providing relevant programs.

No. Its a marketing gimmick.

 

[psych.dreamer]

Personally, I would look to advisors who specialize in the population/setting rather than a program as a whole. As others have said, many programs on that list are very poor in quality. You would be better off finding a good program with a good mentor who has similar research interests as a starting point. That training is more important to effective intervention than if a program is considered to 'specialize in a given area'. After you do so, then identify areas where those professors/good quality schools are located that are likely to have externships that represent the population and clinical settings that you would like to work with in the future. From a career standpoint, language skills will be a huge boon to your ability to market and effectively intervene and I can't recommend enough developing those communication skills if you do not already have them. I would define what you want to do and where you want to do it as a career first, before any of that.

Thank you, that sounds like very good advice. I am in the process of developing language skills right now. My goal is to become fluent in Spanish, although it'll take a while.

 

[deleted343839]

Personally, I would look to advisors who specialize in the population/setting rather than a program as a whole. As others have said, many programs on that list are very poor in quality. You would be better off finding a good program with a good mentor who has similar research interests as a starting point.

+1 to this. For instance, my Ph.D. program was not known for having a multicultural focus, but one of the faculty specialized in interventions with ethnic minority populations, and there were practicum opportunities for working with diverse groups including traumatized refugees. Scratch beneath the surface-level fluff (which is what most "tracks" are in the end) and you will find a lot more.

 

[smalltownpsych]

My program had plenty of people working on multi-cultural research. Applying the basic research to more specific populations is part of what grad school is all about, in my mind. In order to do this, the school just needs access to the population of interest. If you want to study hispanic immigrants, you would do better in the southwest than you would at the University of Wyoming, for example. At the latter, you could study interventions for Native Americans or rural and isolated, or people in poverty.

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

What programs are there that have a specialization in the mental health of immigrants (Perhaps Hispanic/Latino populations, although I'm willing to look into other ones as well)?
It doesn't matter so much to me if it's a Masters, PsyD, or PhD.. As long as it's accredited and leads to licensure.

I know the Chicago School of Professional Psychology has a similar program (this would be the closest one to where I live), but I don't know anything about the school and how reputable it is.

If you had a beloved relative who happened to be Hispanic/Latino suffering from severe panic disorder that was causing massive suffering and functional impairment would you rather they be treated by:

(a) a graduate student who trained with David Barlow (expert in behavioral treatment of panic disorder) who--though they don't claim to have specialized in 'multicultural issues'-- happens to speak Spanish and knows how to effectively implement a cognitive-behavioral protocol for panic disorder

***okay, I realize that very few people train with David Barlow but we can substitute substitute XYZ solid midwestern university program with faculty who themselves trained with Barlow or other luminaries in the field

or

(b) a graduate student who trained at XYZ Professional School (with a poor overall reputation and internship match rate) who also speaks Spanish and claims to be an expert in 'multicultural issues' as they relate to psychotherapy?

I know who I'd want my relative to see for treatment.

 

[CheetahGirl]

My funding for my doctoral program was based on multicultural scholarship, meaning I was directed to research multicultural factors and awareness, in addition to clinical psychological. I ended up bringing it into every discussion, like most solid programs instruct. These are vital factors any reasonable clinician considers when assessing a patient from a psychological point of view, especially considering conceptualizing cases and implementing intervention (i.e., how are you going to approach medication compliance if someone comes from religious shaman-like cultural that believes meds are evil? Just a far-fetched hypothetical example).

Someone in a previous post said, it's not really a "thing" per se that you would search - But you can try scan program brochures for it. What you would look for in a program are mentors that are studying multiculturalism, cultural competence, diversification. This is where you find someone who emphasizes cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender, anthropological and racial ideologies/faiths, and common educational & economic backgrounds that coexist (good to know socioeconomic factors for primary and secondary interventions ideas). Most APA doctoral programs have (at the very least) a course in this, or emphasize these multicultural factors in research (again, at the very least, the demographic sections in all research), but it sounds like you may want to blow up this idea to make a degree out of it. You certainly can specialize in it during your doctoral training but you have to find a mentor who is interested in it, or better bet, someone already doing research in what you want ("mental health of immigrants?"). It is possible, but like some said above....an easier route, if you cannot designate and/or secure a program that studies multicultural factors [mutually exclusive to other research], is to just focus on a population yourself ("Hispanic/Latino populations").

Did anyone mention APA Division 45?

It also to helps to live closeby to the group you want to study (like above noted Univ of WI studying Native Americans) or plan to look for programs near big cities. It is where you find great diversity.

Good luck!

 

[CheetahGirl]

If you had a beloved relative who happened to be Hispanic/Latino suffering from severe panic disorder that was causing massive suffering and functional impairment would you rather they be treated by:

(a) a graduate student who trained with David Barlow (expert in behavioral treatment of panic disorder) who--though they don't claim to have specialized in 'multicultural issues'-- happens to speak Spanish and knows how to effectively implement a cognitive-behavioral protocol for panic disorder

***okay, I realize that very few people train with David Barlow but we can substitute substitute XYZ solid midwestern university program with faculty who themselves trained with Barlow or other luminaries in the field

or

(b) a graduate student who trained at XYZ Professional School (with a poor overall reputation and internship match rate) who also speaks Spanish and claims to be an expert in 'multicultural issues' as they relate to psychotherapy?

I know who I'd want my relative to see for treatment.

I vote for (a).

If I was your beloved relative, that graduate student better bring to the table the understanding of or the curiosity about who I am (the patient) and work with it...above and beyond my severe panic disorder...it is part of their job. Speaking a common language is bonus, simply because some things of vital importance could get lost in translation (through any third party...child, spouse, hospital translator, etc.).

OP, if you cannot get that expertise training to do (a) with (b)'s "expert in multicultural issues" kind of subsumed, then don't go to that program. It may inadequately prepare you for the great big world. 😉