En Sus Propias Palabras (In Their Own Words): Reflections of Spanish-English Bilingual Psychologists and Trainees in the United States

Given the increase in the Spanish-speaking Latine population in the United States, there is a need for bilingual mental health clinicians to increase access to quality, linguistically, and culturally appropriate services for this population. Available data about the mental health workforce indicate that in general there is a shortage of bilingual clinicians. For this reason, training for bilingual clinicians is an important consideration, although research and awareness of these issues is limited. Five psychology clinicians who deliver bilingual Spanish-English services in pediatric settings shared reflections on their training and professional experiences. The reflections highlighted specific areas which training programs can consider to support trainees, including bilingual supervision, language fluency development and cultural knowledge, and burnout. A summary of recommendations and examples are provided as a starting point for training directors and supervisors. Public Significance Statement As the Latine, Spanish-speaking population in the United States continues to grow, there is an increasing need for specialized training and support for clinicians who provide bilingual services. Training issues, common experiences, and areas for growth are reviewed, and reflections of five bilingual clinicians are provided to give voice to these issues.