ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to explore the tasks, challenges, and perspectives of group-therapy leadership among Mexican American women who are psychotherapists-in-training. The literature regarding counselor and psychotherapist development suggests that culture and gender interact and shape group leadership, along with the group leader’s effectiveness, behavior, and style. This study sought to answer the following research questions: (1) What are the experiences of group leadership of Mexican American women who are psychotherapists-in-training (PITs)? (2) What tasks and challenges do Mexican American women PITs encounter as group psychotherapy leaders? Results suggest that Mexican American women group PITs encounter obstacles to group leadership associated with their cultural and professional identities. However, consistent with Anzaldúa's borderlands theory, the Mexican American women group PITs in this study straddle two cultures and competing demands while also turning obstacles into sources of empowerment and strength. Implications for training and supervision of Mexican American women group PITs are discussed.
Notes
1 The term Latinx is used in the present paper to be gender-inclusive, while the term “Latina” is used when discussing a group of women-identified Latinx individuals. When the term “Latino” is used it is because this is the term used in original reference material.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo
Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX and a Licensed Psychologist. Ediza Garcia is an Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX and the Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program. Amanda S. Rodriguez is a student in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX.
Ediza Garcia
Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX and a Licensed Psychologist. Ediza Garcia is an Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX and the Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program. Amanda S. Rodriguez is a student in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX.
Amanda S. Rodriguez
Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX and a Licensed Psychologist. Ediza Garcia is an Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX and the Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program. Amanda S. Rodriguez is a student in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX.