Carlos P. Zalaquett

Study of Successful Latina/o Students.

This study analyzed the stories of successful Latina/o students. The qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of three barriers affecting their access to higher education and eight supporting factors: family, education, responsibility toward others, sense of accomplishment, friendship, scholarships, community support, and school personnel. Suggestions for developing programs oriented to increase the number of these students enrolled in higher education are presented.

Learning from the stories of successful undergraduate Latina/Latino students: the importance of mentoring

The purpose of the present study was to review the stories of 13 academically successful Latino undergraduate students and explore the role that mentoring and sponsorship played in their lives. A qualitative analysis was conducted to examine the participants’ stories using two main descriptors of mentoring and sponsorship. Analyses indicated that participants engaged in more informal mentoring experiences in which family members, teachers and counselors served as mentors. Sponsorship was reported in the stories of some students. Most sponsors did not serve in a mentoring capacity. Sponsorship within the community provided financial support and networking opportunities for the students. The stories revealed that college mentoring and sponsorship positively impacted the students’ lives following college matriculation. Finally, suggestions for improving mentoring practices are presented.

Cyberbullying in College

Cyberbullying is commonly presented as affecting K-12 populations. Current research suggests cyberbullying continues in college. A diverse sample of 613 university students was surveyed to study their cyberbullying experiences in high school and college. Nineteen percent of the sample reported being a victim of cyberbullying in college and 35% of this subsample reported being cyberbullied in high school. Additional findings and practical implications are presented.

The Psychohistorical Approach in Family Counseling With Mestizo/Latino Immigrants: A Continuum and Synergy of Worldviews

In April 2005, the International Association for Marriage and Family Counseling’s yearly Distinguished Speakers series at the American Counseling Association Conference featured a presentation on family counseling with Mestizo/Latino immigrants. A panel composed of Latino counseling professionals representing varied Mestizo backgrounds discussed their personal and professional experiences surrounding the Mestizo/Latino diaspora. This article discusses population definitions, contextual variables, and demographics regarding Mestizos/Latinos, along with life transition issues and ethnic-heritage themes. A psychohistorical approach to family counseling is presented, and illustrative vignettes, including personal anecdotes by the conference presenters/authors, are provided. Recommendations for practice are offered.

Psychotherapy Integration: Using a Diversity-Sensitive Developmental Model in the Initial Interview

The diversity-sensitive developmental model of psychotherapy integrates developmental theory, the empathic relationship-story and strengths-goals-restory-action model of the interview session, and the microskills hierarchy to better serve diverse clients. The model’s procedures for interviewing diverse clients, assessing clients’ communication style, and initiating psychotherapy in a culturally sensitive setting are introduced. The specific stages of the interview model and tips are provided to aid in its application in the initial interview. Sample questions and applicable microskills to help clients rooted in specific cognitive emotional styles and improve the interviewing process at each stage are presented. These are complemented with a review of methods to eliminate developmental blocks and suggestions to integrate sensitivity to cultural differences into the clinical setting, the initial interview, and the psychotherapeutic process. The application of this model is illustrated with a case study of an initial session with a Trinidadian–American female client.