Overview: This workshop will cover the "Pre-migration, Migration and Post-migration" experiences of the Latino youth crossing the border and its psychological impact on their ability to adjust and adapt in the United States. It begins with an overview of the pre-migration experiences in their native countries and factors that have lead to the great exodus to the United States. Issues of increase violence, murders, sexual assaults, abuse and extortion by local gangs will be addressed.
The presentation then transitions into the topic of migration and the traumatic odyssey that many undocumented Latino youth experience traveling with a "coyote" through Central America and Mexico, crossing the border and for many who were captured by ICE, the experience of detention centers. True stories that were told to the presenter by Latino youth will be shared.
The presentation will continue in addressing the emotional and psychological impact of the post-migration adjustment. In addition to adapting to a new culture, language and school system, many of these youth face difficulties in the reunification of the family. For youth who were separated from their parents for a few years or for many years, they struggle with reconnecting with their parents who they have no memory of nor affection toward; this may lead them to conflicting feelings of resentment, depression, anger and guilt. These youth are at risk for maladaptive behaviors both at home and in school. Another area of concern are the youth who have a history of past and current sexual abuse and have no avenue to divulge their experiences because of the stigma, fear of retribution and/or fear that no one will believe them. These youths also need to be assessed for appropriate treatment.
The final section includes the best practices of engaging, assessing and intervening with Latinos in therapeutic treatment. It will cover how to use the pre-migration, migration and post-migration experiences as the fundamentals to assess the immigrants’ level of functioning and their psychological needs. By using this strategy the therapist will have a more extensive understanding of their traumas and adaptive functioning. Various eclectic interventions for both individual and group therapy will be introduced.
Why should you Attend: If you work with Latino immigrant youth and their families this webinar is for you. With the increase of undocumented Latino youth entering the United States on a daily basis, many mental health workers and case managers in schools and clinics who interface with this population are not prepared to deal with the overwhelming stressors this population experiences. These stressors when not addressed appropriately can cause many to exhibit maladaptive and diagnostic behaviors during their adjustment to a new country, culture and language. To be able to gain increased insight as to their life experiences and learn cultural relevant interventions and tools will assist you in providing a more comprehensive treatment approach and ultimately, help to reduce the number of Latino youth needing ongoing therapeutic interventions and hospitalization, in particular for depression and suicidality.
A significant area of interest that will be covered is the difficulty of the reunification of the family after years of separation. Many of these youth spend years separated from their parents only to discover that once together, they are virtual strangers to each other which may lead to mixed emotions that that are difficult to process and express. If these emotions are left unresolved, these youth can become belligerent, depressed, unfocused, anxiety ridden, etc. which can in turn cause family discord. Timely interventions will increase family communication and harmony.
Additionally, immigrant youth as well as adults go through a process of cultural bereavement upon their arrival. This process in which they miss their native culture, family, friends and social supports as well as their, food, house of worship, etc, may at first appear as depression but through adequate support during this process, their sadness progressively lifts and they become functioning individuals.
These and other topics will be reviewed during the presentation.
Areas Covered in the Session:
Pre-migration- Factors in their native country that is forcing the mass exodus to the United States
Migration-Review the actual journey the youth undertake to cross the border from Mexico to the United States
Post-migration-Review of the many stressors that youth face once they arrive with their families as well as maladaptive behaviors and symptoms to be aware of
Engaging-How to engage Latino clients with culturally relevant tactics
Assessment-How to assess using the Pre-migration, migration and post-migration format
Interventions-Individual, group and family therapeutic interventions will be shared
The presentation then transitions into the topic of migration and the traumatic odyssey that many undocumented Latino youth experience traveling with a "coyote" through Central America and Mexico, crossing the border and for many who were captured by ICE, the experience of detention centers. True stories that were told to the presenter by Latino youth will be shared.
The presentation will continue in addressing the emotional and psychological impact of the post-migration adjustment. In addition to adapting to a new culture, language and school system, many of these youth face difficulties in the reunification of the family. For youth who were separated from their parents for a few years or for many years, they struggle with reconnecting with their parents who they have no memory of nor affection toward; this may lead them to conflicting feelings of resentment, depression, anger and guilt. These youth are at risk for maladaptive behaviors both at home and in school. Another area of concern are the youth who have a history of past and current sexual abuse and have no avenue to divulge their experiences because of the stigma, fear of retribution and/or fear that no one will believe them. These youths also need to be assessed for appropriate treatment.
The final section includes the best practices of engaging, assessing and intervening with Latinos in therapeutic treatment. It will cover how to use the pre-migration, migration and post-migration experiences as the fundamentals to assess the immigrants’ level of functioning and their psychological needs. By using this strategy the therapist will have a more extensive understanding of their traumas and adaptive functioning. Various eclectic interventions for both individual and group therapy will be introduced.
Why should you Attend: If you work with Latino immigrant youth and their families this webinar is for you. With the increase of undocumented Latino youth entering the United States on a daily basis, many mental health workers and case managers in schools and clinics who interface with this population are not prepared to deal with the overwhelming stressors this population experiences. These stressors when not addressed appropriately can cause many to exhibit maladaptive and diagnostic behaviors during their adjustment to a new country, culture and language. To be able to gain increased insight as to their life experiences and learn cultural relevant interventions and tools will assist you in providing a more comprehensive treatment approach and ultimately, help to reduce the number of Latino youth needing ongoing therapeutic interventions and hospitalization, in particular for depression and suicidality.
A significant area of interest that will be covered is the difficulty of the reunification of the family after years of separation. Many of these youth spend years separated from their parents only to discover that once together, they are virtual strangers to each other which may lead to mixed emotions that that are difficult to process and express. If these emotions are left unresolved, these youth can become belligerent, depressed, unfocused, anxiety ridden, etc. which can in turn cause family discord. Timely interventions will increase family communication and harmony.
Additionally, immigrant youth as well as adults go through a process of cultural bereavement upon their arrival. This process in which they miss their native culture, family, friends and social supports as well as their, food, house of worship, etc, may at first appear as depression but through adequate support during this process, their sadness progressively lifts and they become functioning individuals.
These and other topics will be reviewed during the presentation.
Areas Covered in the Session:
Pre-migration- Factors in their native country that is forcing the mass exodus to the United States
Migration-Review the actual journey the youth undertake to cross the border from Mexico to the United States
Post-migration-Review of the many stressors that youth face once they arrive with their families as well as maladaptive behaviors and symptoms to be aware of
Engaging-How to engage Latino clients with culturally relevant tactics
Assessment-How to assess using the Pre-migration, migration and post-migration format
Interventions-Individual, group and family therapeutic interventions will be shared
Who Should Attend
- Social Workers
- Psychologist
- Mental Health Workers
- Guidance Counselors
- Case Managers and universities students in the behavioral health field of study. Those working in the area of immigration Advocacy
