This publication brings together the foundational work of early Chicanx and Latinx scholars who created the field of Latinx and Chicanx psychology and the contributions of new generations of scholars. As a community-clinical psychologist trained in the 1970s to 1980s, I was continually dismayed at the absence of research by and about Latinx and the erasure of Latinx and Chicanx psychologists in psychology courses. Therefore, my life’s work has been to create courses that shed light on Latinx psychology and mental health and to highlight the work of other Latinx scholars. In this book, we focus on identity theories, family psychology, health and mental health, as well share our experiences as practitioners and researchers as central topics in our field. Many other areas of psychology remain unaddressed, notably developmental, cognitive, educational, sports among others. We invite our colleagues to offer their expertise in these areas in future publications. This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students interested in Latinx and Chicanx psychology and mental health. It is also appropriate for scholars who want to increase their understanding of diverse Latinx groups.
Dr. Flores is a community-clinical psychologist (UC Berkeley, 1982). She has done postdoctoral work in health psychology. Her research focus has been substance abuse treatment outcomes, women’s mental health, intimate partner violence, the mental health of immigrant men, and Latina STEM scholars journey into the academy.
A Professor of Psychology in Chicana/o Studies at UC Davis for the past 31 years, Dr. Flores’ publications reflect her life’s work of bridging community and clinical psychology and Chicano/Latino studies, as she foregrounds gender, ethnicity, and sexualities in her clinical, teaching, and research practice. Her book Chicana and Chicano Mental Health: Alma, Mente y Corazon was published by the University of Arizona Press in March 2013 and Psychological Perspectives for Chicano/Latino Families was published by Cognella Academic Publishers in 2014. A 2021 edition was co-authored with Dr. Mónica Torreiro-Casal. Sentia Academic Publishers published her book on Latinx Children and Adolescents in 2016. Her latest book, Cultura y Corazon: A Decolonial Methodology for Community Engaged Research, was published by the University of Arizona Press in 2020.
Dr. Flores is a national and international consultant on cultural humility, prevention, and treatment of trauma, gender, migration, and mental health, and self-care for advocates of color. She is the president of Division 27 of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Community Research and Action (2021–2024).
Mónica Torreiro-Casal holds a PhD in Counselling Psychology from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts and an MFT (Marriage and Family therapist master’s degree) with Latinx mental health emphasis from Santa Clara University, California. She works as Lecturer for the Chicana/o department at UC Davis, California where she teaches six classes with a mental health emphasis developed by her mentor Professor Flores. Her research, clinical and teaching interests include Latinx and Immigrant Community Mental Health, Feminist Chicanx Psychology, and Minority Qualitative Research. As a trained psychologist, she has worked in community mental health settings and university counseling services (domestic violence, addictions, LGBTQIA, immigrants, school settings). Mónica’s clinical emphasis at UC Davis as postdoctoral fellow psychologist focused on AB540 and undocumented students on campus. She conducts research on immigration and mental health and mentors students on their research projects and academic journeys.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Chicanx and Latinx Psychology: Las Raíces/The Roots
Chapter 2 Ethnic, Racial, and Cultural Identities—Decolonizing Ourselves
Chapter 3 Gender and Sexual Identities
Chapter 4 Family Psychology Through Cultural Lenses
Chapter 5 Health Psychology
Chapter 6 Latinx Mental Health: Alma, mente, y corazón
Chapter 7 Research with Latinx
Chapter 8 Conclusion