Hispanics and Psychotherapeutic Groups

Group therapy with the multiply oppressed: Treating Latino, HIV-infected injecting drug users

“…Group therapy has been identified as a useful treatment modality for Latinos (Delgado, 1983;McKinley, 1987;Millan & Chan, 1991), AIDS patients (Child & Getzel, 1990;Price et al, 1986), injecting drug users (Lawson, 1984), and the three in combination (Millan et al, 1993).…”

Group therapy with inner city hispanic acting-out adolescent males: Some theoretical observations

“…Anger and resentment at therapists is usually transferential in nature and should be handled as such. Ideally, the adolescents should be allowed to use whatever language feels most comfortable for them, be it Spanish, street slang, or some other combination, so that spontaneity and honesty will not be lost (Delgado, 1983). Translation or explanation can be provided after the initial, spontaneous ventilation of feeling.…”

“…Therapists need to have a solid understanding of Hispanic culture (Menikoff, 1979;Ruiz, 1979;Werbin & Hynes, 1975), nonverbal communication, and the impact of cultural values on behavior (Delgado, 1983). The use of therapist self-disclosure in group treatment with Hispanics has been suggested (Delgado, 1981(Delgado, , 1983Olarte & Masnik, 1985) but should be used carefully given the powerful transferential influence possessed by the therapists.…”

“…The use of therapist self-disclosure in group treatment with Hispanics has been suggested (Delgado, 1981(Delgado, , 1983Olarte & Masnik, 1985) but should be used carefully given the powerful transferential influence possessed by the therapists. Although disclosure may be useful after a meaningful and trusting therapeutic relationship is established, careful analysis of the ramifications of the disclosure and inquiry into its dynamics are indicated.…”

“…The literature suggests that therapists treating Hispanic patients should ideally be bilingual (Delgado, 1983;Menikoff, 1979;Ruiz, 1979;Tylim, 1982). However, the experiences of these authors suggest that knowledge, sensitivity, and acceptance of cultural differences, including linguistic differences, may suffice for developing a meaningful and trusting psychotherapeutic relationship.…”