Current Issues and Developments in Psychology with Regards to Latina/o Americans

Past research has shown that the Chicano/Latino community experience mental illness differently than other populations, and they are largely underserved by mental health professionals. This work explores the underrepresentation of culturally diverse individuals seeking and utilizing psychological services due to the lack of cultural sensitivity of therapists; cynicism by mental health professionals, and an outlook that therapy can be used as an oppressive tool by those in power (Sue & Sue, 1999). In short, there is much apprehension towards traditional therapeutic and intervention models in which most therapists have been educated on are based on and designed to meet the needs of a small part of the population—this being White, male, and middle-class persons. Using peer review sources, this study addresses current challenges faced by Psychology as a discipline and discusses new ways to help mental health professionals effectively treat and work with the Latino community