Forging Caminos

A timely and comprehensive resource authored by leading experts in the field! This book is essential reading for anyone working with bilingual Latine students, patients, and families. An invaluable guide for trainers, supervisors, and practitioners committed to culturally responsive care.--Milton A. Fuentes, PsyD, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, United States As a graduate student, I struggled to find training, education, and supervision experiences to hone my Spanish language skills as a budding bilingual clinician. This is the book I wish I had! It is a comprehensive guide for mental health professionals at all stages of training or anywhere in their career journey. The book is full of reflections, advice, and concrete steps people can take to forge their unique bilingual and/or bicultural professional identity.--Timothy Stahl, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Finally! This much-needed guidebook is useful for bilingual Latine students pursuing careers in mental health, but also essential for the faculty, families, and institutions that support them. Chapters thoughtfully trace developmental milestones of bilingual students and early career professionals, all the while celebrating the richness of Latine language, culture, and identity. With practical advice and honest reflections, the authors, all experts in Latine psychology, affirm the experiences of those too often left out of dominant narratives.--Ana J. Bridges, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Director of Clinical Training, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States; and Past President of the National Latinx Psychological Association An essential resource that serves as both a guide and a map--offering clear direction, practical wisdom, and profound insight for Latinxs seeking to forge a path as a bilingual mental health professional, researcher, or educator. Drawing deeply from their own lived experiences, the contributors illuminate the journey with compassion and clarity, making the road ahead both accessible and inspiring. Este libro es clave para la formación bilingüe en salud mental.--Dr. Carlos P. Zalaquett, PhD, MA, Lic., LMHC, Professor--Catedrático, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States In Forging Caminos, Doctores Campos Mejia y Consoli offer a deeply insightful and timely guide for mental health professionals seeking to expand their practice across linguistic and cultural lines. With clarity, compassion, and hard-earned experience, they illuminate the unique challenges--and profound rewards of working bilingually in research, training, and the clinical setting. As a friend and fellow advocate for equitable mental health care, I've witnessed their dedication to building authentic, culturally attuned therapeutic relationships. This book is more than a manual--it's a call to action for clinicians to embrace language as both a tool and a bridge to underserved communities. Whether you're just beginning your journey or are a seasoned clinician looking to grow, Forging Caminos is an essential companion. It will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you why this work matters.--Alexandra Canetti, MD, Program Medical Director of the Special Need Clinic, Cochair of the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States The authors offer a thoughtful developmental approach to becoming a bilingual mental health professional, from one's undergraduate experiences to those of postgraduate status. Individuals' personal language, bilingual competency, and cultural heritage are described as assets for engaging in bilingual mental health interventions. Dichos and other cultural resources are shared to enrich one's bilingual mental health practice.--Dr. Patricia Arredondo, EdD, President, Arredondo Advisory Group; Faculty, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; and Founding President of the National Latinx Psychological Association