Experiential Groups: Narratives of Latino Master’s Level Students in Counseling Psychology during the Covid-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Experiential group training builds group counseling skills among counselors-in-training. The current study examines Latino master’s students’ perceptions of experiential group training that started in person but shifted to a virtual platform during the Covid-19 pandemic. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 Latino graduate counseling psychology students. Our findings included five main themes: Professional development, group leader modeling, personal growth, pandemic’s impact on experiential group and impact of culture on experiential group. Themes shed new insight for the use prior research findings on experiential group training and shed new insight the use of this training modality with Latinos and utilizing a virtual platform. Findings highlight multicultural competence among experiential group facilitators.

KEYWORDS:

• Experiential groups
• Latino master’s students
• Covid-19
• virtual instruction

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo

Dr. Elizabeth Terrazas-Carrillo is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M International University and a Texas Licensed Psychologist. Her research explores the cultural correlates of intimate partner violence among Mexican, Latino, and Spanish-speaking immigrants in the United States. She has developed an intimate partner violence prevention program focusing on Latino college students and continues to research its effectiveness. Her interests also include the efficacy of group psychotherapy modalities with Latinos. Dr. Terrazas-Carrillo was named Distinguished Scholar of the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M International University in 2018, and received an APA Early Career Achievement Award in 2020 for her involvement in leadership and her scholarship. Her research has been funded by the American Psychological Association and other organizations. Dr. Terrazas-Carrillo has a special interest in mentoring and supervising graduate students, as well as fostering cultural competence among her counseling trainees.

Ediza Garcia

Dr. Ediza Garcia obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University. She completed an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited clinical internship and two-year post-doctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). She specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and families who experience adverse and traumatic events. Dr. Garcia served as the Associate Director of Training at the Nathanson Family Resilience Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which promotes family-centered, trauma-informed care to military and veteran families, youth with serious medical illnesses, and youth residing in the foster care system. Dr. Garcia co-developed a resilience skill-based group training for youth within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Presently, Dr. Garcia is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M International University and serves as the Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program. Her research aims at enhancing resilience via culturally-relevant preventive interventions utilizing a trauma-informed lens. Dr. Garcia is also a licensed psychologist.

Alyssa Vera

Alyssa Vera earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from at Texas A&M International University. During her time as a graduate student, she dedicated her time to research that explores Latinx student learning experiences. In addition, Alyssa sought opportunities bring mental health awareness to her hometown of Laredo, Texas. Alyssa currently works as a Bilingual Child Therapist. She focuses on the needs of Latin families and considers cultural views and values while implementing trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.