Sabiduría Latinx Psychology Experience

“Sabiduría” in Spanish means wisdom, knowledge, learning and understanding, not only of oneself but also of others. It means using knowledge and understanding to attain balance, health, wellness, to reach goals and help others to do the same. Sabiduría states that the healing and spiritual development are interconnected, that people can live life with meaning and purpose, that illness offers an opening for integration and personal growth and that life setbacks are opportunities for growth and self-improvement." (Ruiz, 1997, Comas-Diaz, 2010).

General Overview

Sabiduría, the Latinx Psychology Experience allows students from the three School of Graduate Psychology programs to gain competencies in Latinx psychology and culturally-informed work that can be adapted or translated and applied to other multicultural groups. The experience is ideal for students with different levels of Spanish proficiency who want to be trained in Latinx culture and/or multicultural areas. The experience provides students opportunity to focus their training on culturally-informed services with the Latinx population and individuals from other diverse cultural backgrounds; while at the same time working on improving their Spanish proficiency. It is not required, but desired, that students have Spanish language skills.

The experience provides students with classes, clinical practicum, community service, and research opportunities that focus on working with Latinx and/or Spanish-speaking individuals. Outreach, health and wellness, and community psychology components and services are integrated throughout the experience requirements.

For the PsyD program, students can choose the experience in combination with their emphasis of choice (e.g., Health Psychology Emphasis with the Latinx psychology experience). For the Applied Psychological Science and PhD programs students can pursue the Latinx Psychology experience to supplement their academic, clinical, and research training.

Benefits of Joining Sabiduría Latinx Psychology Experience

Sabiduría provides students with specialized training to work with Latinxs and individuals from other diverse backgrounds in the most culturally sensitive manner. Our training includes courses in culturally and linguistically-focused assessment and treatment, clinical supervision in Spanish, Latinx and bilingually-focused clinical training placements, community outreach opportunities, cultural experiences, and Spanish language supports. Sabiduría creates a cohesive and supportive learning community that provides students with an opportunity for faculty mentorship, close peer relationships, and lifelong professional connections. Our emphasis is community focused; we have an extensive community network that supports practicum experiences and professional or personal opportunities beyond our academic program. Our students receive the satisfaction of developing and delivering high-quality services to underserved and underrepresented communities while enhancing their opportunities to secure internships and gainful employment as culturally informed psychologists.

Requirements

Course Requirements (3 credits total)

1. Depending on a student’s Spanish language skills, the student can either take the Basic Clinical Skills Bilingual Lab (equivalent to 1-credit course for students who have Spanish skills at the intermediate-mid level or intermediate-high level) or the Basics of Mental Health Spanish II (equivalent to 1-credit course for students who have Spanish skills at the intermediate-low or low level). Either course is required in first year.
2. Depending on a student’s Spanish language skills, the student can either take the Treatment Planning and Intervention Bilingual Lab (equivalent to 1-credit course for students who have Spanish skills at the intermediate-mid level or intermediate-high level) or the Basics of Mental Health Spanish II (equivalent to 1-credit course for students who have Spanish skills at the intermediate-low or low level). Either course is required in the first year.
3. Sociocultural Foundations of Latinx Mental Health (3 credits)

Recommended courses

1. Intermediate to Advanced Spanish Language Courses (when needed and available), recommended during the third and/or fourth year.
2. Clinical Interventions with Latinx  (3 credits)

Clinical Requirements

​For doctoral students and APS students, their first clinical experience (Practicum I at the Pacific Psychology and Comprehensive Health Clinics for doctoral students; Community placement for APS students) must include work with Latinx and/or Spanish speaking populations, participating in the Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic (IDC), and performing outreach activities with the Latinx community. Additionally, for doctoral students, at least one of the community-based clinical training experiences (either Practicum II or an Advanced Practicum or Fieldwork) must be focused on Latinx populations as combined with other interests or emphasis. Only students who want to work with Spanish-speaking clients must be tested on the OPI and the LPT of the ACTFL tests and score at the Intermediate-high level before Practicum I (or before internship for APS students).  Students working with the Latinx community either at PCH Clinics or in the community participate in a monthly cultural and linguistic consultation group provided by one of the PCH Clinics.

​Research

For doctoral students and APS students, their dissertation or thesis/evidence-based practice sample must be completed within an area of Latinx mental health, in accordance with emphasis or program research requirements. Students conducting research with the Latinx community must participate in at least one cultural research consultation meeting during each stage of the research process (e.g., topic/research question development, measure selection data collection, data analysis, etc.).

Outreach

Outreach activities and service learning are an integral component of the Sabiduría program. Every year, students must engage in at least two community outreach activities, (other than the PCH outreach mentioned above) for the duration of their academic program. While doctoral degree students are completing their doctoral internship, they are exempt from this requirement.

Faculty

Faculty and mentors in the Sabiduría Latinx Psychology Experience include a mix of associated and part-time faculty in addition to community psychologists who provide teaching, supervision, and research mentoring to emphasis students. Faculty areas of specialization include mental health evaluation; neuropsychological assessment; individual, child, family, group, and couples' psychotherapy; integrated health care; treatment of anxiety, depression and trauma; parent-child relations; child and adolescent behavior problems; cross-cultural interventions, mindfulness and cultural adaptations; stress management, mind-body integrated treatments; community psychology and wellness practices.

Associated Faculty

Ruth Zúñiga, PhD - Community Supervisor

Leonardo Bobadilla, PhD - Affiliate Faculty

Michael Christopher, PhD - Affiliate Faculty

Example of Practicum Placements

• Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
• Forest Grove School District
• Laurie Renteria, Neuropsychologist
• Willamette Family Medicine Center
• Western Conexiones
• Salud Medical Center

Admission & Selection

Application to the Sabiduría Latinx Psychology Experience occurs after students are selected into their respective School of Graduate Psychology program (usually during the summer before their first year). Students are identified on the basis of academic strength and fit with the experience based on the admission selection process. If space is open, a second wave of admissions and selection for students who are already part of the School of Graduate Psychology will occur at the end of each fall semester.

Students admitted into the SGP Program will receive an email with the application requirements and the deadline.  Students interested in the experience must send the application and a letter of interest to the Sabiduría director before the Sabiduría admissions deadline (end of summer and fall).

For more information about Sabiduría contact Dr. Peter Vik.