Latina/Latino Family Studies Specialization

Based on the "Comadre/Copadre" extended family model, the Latina/o Family Studies (LFS) program utilizes the strengths of the Latina/o family-centered culture as its basis for a collective learning experience.

Currently there is a crisis in the provision of human services in Los Angeles because of the extreme lack of available bicultural/bilingual professionals serving our diverse Latina/o families. The LFS Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy focuses on recruiting, educating and developing mental health professionals who will:

• Have a clear, in-depth understanding of the specific mental health needs of children and families in our Chicano/Latina communities
• Possess the necessary cultural and cross-cultural sensitivity and clinical competence to effectively serve this varied population
• Possess the linguistic ability to serve the Spanish-speaking, monolingual clients and varying degrees of bilinguals within families

The LFS Specialization is a comprehensive M.A. in the MFT degree program with a special emphasis on the diverse mental health needs of Latina/Latino children and families. It is available in a cohort group of 22 students that meets for class in six (6) three-day weekend intensive format. It requires the completion of 54 semester units, a clinical training component, and a bilingual language component.

The program is designed to fully meet the academic requirements of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for MFT licensure. For further information, please email Connie Destito, Academic Director of the MFT Department or call her at (626) 397-1327.