Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
Volume 47, Issue 1 (Feb 2016)
pages 46-55
DOI: 10.1037/pro0000062
Hector Y. Adames, Professor of Clinical Counseling Psychology
Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, Child Clinical Psychologist, Professor, Researcher
Kurt C. Organista, Associate Dean; Professor of Social Welfare
The San Francisco Foundation, San Francisco, California
Little attention has been paid to within-group differences among Latino/as, particularly with regards to skin color and related racial features. The few available studies suggest that skin color, physiognomy, and colorism (a form of within-group racial discrimination) can negatively affect interpersonal relations, mental health, educational attainment, and income among Latino/as. Considering factors such as skin color and physiognomy in the general well-being and mental health treatment of Latino/as may foster rapport building in therapy and better treatment outcomes for individuals across the color gradient. Integrating such factors may also contribute to the provision of culturally responsive and racially conscious services to individuals from this community. Thus, there is an urgent need for mental health practitioners to understand and address the impact of skin color and physiognomy on the lived experience of Latino/as. The purpose of this paper is to help prepare mental health practitioners working with Latino/as to identify, acknowledge, and respond to the clinical implications of skin color, racial features, and colorism. To achieve this goal, 3 objectives are outlined. First, the concept of Mestizaje racial ideologies, a myopic view that places individuals of Latino/a descent from the entire color spectrum into one racial category, is presented. Second, a case vignette is offered to illustrate how topics related to skin color and colorism may present themselves in clinical practice. Finally, the article concludes with a model to assist mental health practitioners, educators, and clinical supervisors gain the knowledge, awareness, and clinical skills to competently address the role of skin color and physiognomy when working with Latino/as.
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