Special Interest Groups (SIG)

Special Interest Groups

Bilingual Issues in Latino Mental Health Special Interest Group
CoChairs: Dianna Gonzalez, Doctoral Candidate, New Mexico State University (diannag@nmsu.edu) and Elvia Lorena Navarro, Doctoral Candidate, New Mexico State University (lore@nmsu.edu).

The purpose of this special interest group is to provide a space to strengthen, advocate, and support the training, research, counseling, and supervision needs of bilingual professionals and professionals interested in bilingual issues.

Orgullo Latina/o: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Interest Group
Co Chairs: Johanna Malaret, MA, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles, johannamalaret@yahoo.com and Desdamona Rios, PhD, Bowdoin College, desdamonarios@msn.com.

Orgullo Latina/o: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Interest Group is a community of NLPA members invested in addressing the needs and challenges faced by Latina/o lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) persons. LGBTQI Latina/os negotiate multiple marginalized identities and often experience discrimination in familial, community, and institutional settings. As a group, we will address issues of intersectionality including the intersection of sexual identity and orientation, race/ethnicity, and social class. We will promote and expand education, research, and the clinical application of affirmative LGBQTI Latina/o practices to enable LGBTI persons, their families, and allies to thrive. We will achieve our goals by 1) creating a community where NLPA members and professionals serving, researching, and advocating for LGBTQI Latinas/os can network and share community specific resources; 2) conduct and disseminate scientific and applied research focusing on the integration of Latina/o and LGBTQI identities; 3) provide education concerning the unique needs of the LGBTQI Latina/o and ally community to NLPA membership, affiliates, and the public-at-large; and 4) increase the visibility and mentorship of LGBTQI identified NLPA members.

Evidence Based Practice with Latino Populations SIG
Chair:  Omar Gudiño, PhD, New York University School of Medicine, Omar.Gudino@nyumc.org

The purpose of the /Evidence-Based Practice with Latino Populations/ SIG is to disseminate information on research developments and clinical innovations related to the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) with Latino/a populations. There is an increasing emphasis on the use of EBPs on one hand and limited research findings specifically examining the use and outcomes of EBPs with Latinos on the other. This SIG creates a forum for NLPA members to 1) keep current on the latest research findings, 2) promote and support new research, 3) disseminate practice-based evidence from clinicians experienced in using EBPs with this population, 4) advocate for improved training in EBPs, and 5) discuss barriers to the use of EBPs and potential ways of overcoming these barriers. Therefore, the overall goal of the SIG is to promote the development and application of knowledge specific to using EBPs with Latinos in an effort to improve access to effective treatments.

Latino/a Child, Adolescent, & Family Psychology SIG
Chair:  Omar Gudiño, PhD, New York University Child Study Center, Omar.Gudino@nyumc.org

The Latino/a Child, Adolescent, & Family Psychology SIG is a network of NLPA members interested in exchanging ideas about issues and research related to Latino children, adolescents, and families. Latino youth represent the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and it is important to advance our understanding of the strengths, challenges, and needs of this group. In addition to improving our understanding of this group, it is essential that this knowledge is used in the service of promoting positive youth development and advocating for the mental health and educational needs of youth. This SIG seeks to 1) create a forum for sharing and discussing issues related to Latino youth and families, 2) facilitate the dissemination of research related to this population, 3) promote awareness and advocate for issues of special significance to Latino youth, and 4) foster professional relationships among NLPA members who study and serve this population.

Mentores y Líderes: Apoyando a Futuros Profesionales SIG
Chair(s):  Erika Torres, e.torres_mx@yahoo.comand Alberto Figueroa-Garcia, afigueroa@apa.org

The purpose of this special interest group is to cultivate and promote opportunities (i.e., email exchange/conversations, social media venues, face-to-face meetings at conferences and gatherings, etc.) for students and psychologists interested in the field of Latina/o psychology to engage in mentorship and leadership development within and outside of NLPA. The representation and participation of students in Latina/o organized psychology continues to be limited and progressing slowly. Moreover, high drop our rates throughout the higher education pipeline and lack of representation and participation of students in psychological organizations makes the need for a structured mentorship and leadership development effort within NLPA a high priority. Providing mentorship and leadership development opportunities through NLPA is a great way to begin addressing these issues and enhance NLPA’s visibility and presence in organized psychology. Many students in Latino/a psychology have few to no professional role models and/or mentors to inform, guide, and/or assist them successfully navigate the challenging process of becoming a psychologist: from determining the necessary preparation during undergraduate study, decision making related to pursuing graduate education, selecting and applying to a graduate psychology programs, dealing with bureaucracies all along the journey, internship, surviving and thriving in academia and/or other job settings as a doctoral-level professional of color, scholarship, publication of research, and dealing with the complexities of intersecting ethnic and professional identities. Through this forum, NLPA members (both students and psychologists) will be able to have access to role models and accomplished leaders from across NLPA’s vast membership.

NLPA Neuropsychology SIG

Chair:   Eduardo Estevis, M.A., University of Tulsa, eduardo-estevis@utulsa.edu

The purpose of this special interest group (SIG) is to provide a forum for members to discuss issues that affect Latino(a)s within the field of neuropsychology.  The special interest group (SIG) will promote the use of neuropsychological assessments that have demonstrated psychometric reliability and validity for use with Latino (a) populations.  It will also be sensitive to cultural differences that are typically associated with this population group with respect to these assessments.  The SIG will promote increasing cultural competence in the assessment of Latino(a)s by addressing cultural and linguistic differences that impact assessment.  Through collaborative efforts with other members, the SIG will highlight and disseminate relevant information, including current research, normative data, and recently published assessments pertinent to Latino(a)s. This SIG will serve as a reference point for individuals seeking information regarding the application of neuropsychology.  Specifically, it will provide information regarding clinical practice, training programs, and outreach services.

Proposal for a Special Interest Group (SIG) of NLPA

Special Interest Groups (SIG) create an opportunity for NLPA members to collaborate around their particular shared interests. If you are interested in establishing a Special Interest Group within NLPA, please reach out to NLPA members via the listserv (NLPA-L@LISTS.UFL.EDU) and complete the SIG application. To reduce excessive email activity on the listserv, be sure to provide your email, so members can contact you directly. Please send all proposals to info@nlpa.ws.
 

Special Interest Groups are part of the National Latino Psychological Association, will act in accordance to the Association’s by-laws, and should not represent themselves as independent entities.  They are expected to provide a brief annual report to the NLPA Executive committee on the group’s activities, accomplishment and goals. 
 

In the SIG proposal, please provide the following: 

1.  Suggested name for the proposed SIG

2.  Chair(s) name(s), affiliation(s) and email(s)--Chairs can be professional and student members

2.  Purpose and rationale for the proposed SIG

3.  How the proposed SIG relates to the mission of NLPA

4.  Names of the NLPA members petitioning for the group (minimum 8)