Chapter
1. MECA: A Meeting Place for Culture and Therapy
Clinical Practice as Cultural and Sociopolitical Encounter
The Place of Culture and Context in Clinical Practice: A Spectrum of Choice
MECA: Systemic and Postmodern Foundations for Practice
MECA Constructs: Cultural Diversity and Social Justice
MECA: The Key Generic Domains
Practice and Training Tools
MECA Illustration in Practice
The Case Study and Integrative Approaches
2. Latino Diversity: Contexts and Cultures
Variations in the Experience of Migration
Variations in Ecological Contexts and Stressors
Variations in Family Organization and Family Life Cycle
Social Sciences’ New Attention to Latinos’ Diversity
Clinical Research Studies on Latino Families
Collective Identities and Cultural Variation
Part II. Migration and Acculturation
3. Journeys of Migration: Losses and Gains
Ambiguous Losses and Gains
Uprootings: Expectable Losses of Migration
Uprooting, Rituals, and Resilience
A Large Family System Undergoing Ruptures and Renewals
Implications for Clinical Practice
Migration-Relational Stresses and Practice Ideas
4. Transnational Therapies: Separations and Reunifications
Family Separations in a Global Context: Living with Two Hearts
Transnational Relational Stress: Separations and Reunifications between Parents, Children, and Siblings
Implications for Practice: Transnational Therapies
5. The Second-Generation Identity Struggles: Roots and Wings
The One and a Half and the Second Generations
Common Themes of the Second Generation
Theories of Cultural Change
Acculturation and Transnationalism
Acculturation as a Family Process
Implications for Practice
Part III. Ecological Context
6. Mental Health Disparities: The Need for Equal and Just Care
The Dire Health Consequences of Discrimination and Other Contextual Stressors
The Immigrant’s Paradox: Balancing Acculturation and Cultural Retention
Barriers to Receiving Care
Clinical Practice Pathways for Reducing Inequalities
An Illustration of Multisystemic, Culturally Attuned Collaboration
7. Religion, Spirituality, and Traditional Healing Practices
Health and Illness Beliefs
Implications of Traditional Healing for Practice
Implications of Religion and Spiritual Beliefs for Clinical Practice
8. Racism, Ethnic Prejudice, and Discrimination
Is Race Constructed Differently by Latinos?
A Name as a Trigger for Discrimination
Clinical Practices Focused on the Impact of Racism
The Subtle Prejudice of Professionals
MECA and Self-Reflection about Clinician’s Race and Ethnicity
9. The Challenge of School and Work
Immigrant Families with Children in School: Brave in a New World
Reasons for School Difficulties
What Is Education?: Cultural Constructions of Parents and Schools
Perceived Discrimination and Academic Success
Parents and Teachers: An Uneasy Collaboration
Families’ Resilient Responses toward Negative Stereotypes
Implications for Practice in the School Setting
Challenges in Work Settings
Part IV. Family Organization
10. The Persistence of Extended Kin
Familismo or Family Interdependence
The Cast of Characters and Implications for Practice
Hierarchies in Nuclear and Extended Settings
The Sibling Bond and Its Implications for Practice
Communication Styles, Conflict Avoidance, and Positive Emotional Expression
Implications of Communication Styles for Practice
11. Couples: Presenting Issues and Approaches
Sociocultural Constructions of Marriage
What Brings Couples to Therapy
Building a Therapeutic Alliance
Engaging Latino Couples in Therapy
The MECA Framework For Couples
Divorce, Remarriage, and Stepparenting
Intimate Partner Violence
Part V. Family Life Cycle
12. Raising Children in Culture and Context
A Ritual Grand Welcome to Newborns
Life-Cycle Timings and Cultural Meanings
Living in Fear: Migration and Childhood
Sociocentric Child-Rearing Practices
Implications for Practice with Parents and Children
13. Adolescents and Parents Crossing Cultural Borders
Family Cultural Continuity and Change during Adolescence
Risk and Resilience in Straddling Two Worlds
Cultural Conflicts and Externalizing Behaviors
Cultural Conflicts and Internalizing Behaviors
An Assessment and Practice Tool for Addressing Parent–Adolescent Conflict
Clinical and Preventive Approaches
14. Young, Middle, and Late Adulthood Transitions
Young Adulthood: Staying Home and Moving On
The Latino Elderly: Losses and a Shared Life
A Reflection: Finding Strengths
Latino Families in Therapy, Second Edition
：A Guide to Multicultural Practice
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