Counseling Services in Hispanic Culture The topic of culture used to be largely debated in the world of clinicians and psychologists, fortunately, this is now viewed as a fundamental competency (e.g., Vera & Speight 2003). The American Counseling Association is the largest association of professional counselors worldwide, they define counseling as “a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health”. The way in which people navigate the world in ways of thinking and acting is influenced by their …show more content…
Hispanics constitute a good portion of the United States population. It is estimated that they make up about 8% of the US and by the year 2050 one in five Americans will be Hispanic (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1992). Hispanic people in the US are confronted with language barriers, discrimination, and poverty. These factors make this part of the population very susceptible to a variety of mental health issues. Proper care and treatment are vital for this segment of the population. It has been found that Spanish-speaking clients underutilize services because of how unfamiliar they are with the process as well as the role and function of the mental health system as a whole (Santiago-Rivera, …show more content…
Acculturation is the process of an individual moving away from their culture of origin and toward the dominant group during resettlement in a new country. Immigration is the process of moving from one country to another, for example moving from Mexico to America. As a result of exposure to two or more cultures, the person experiences at least two types of changes. The first, behavioral shifts including speech patterns, clothing styles, and eating habits. The next, emotional reactions which are pronounced episodes of anxiety or depression. Another common fear that is had in the hispanic community around seeking medical or mental health is the thought of