Enhancing Behavioral Health in Latino Populations: Reducing Disparities Through Integrated Behavioral and Primary Care

This timely volume examines the potential of integrated care in providing effective, accessible behavioral healthcare for Latino clients. The integrated care model is discussed in practical terms, with guidelines for the addressing the needs of Latinos in a coordinated, patient-focused setting. Specific points of attention include common behavioral and medical/mental health conditions (e.g., depression, chronic pain, tobacco use), special considerations in working with Puerto Rican and Cuban clients, and recommendations for working with children. These important issues are considered against the backdrop of opportunities and challenges inherent in integrated care and its implementation, in addition to the relevance of evidence-based interventions for this large and diverse population.

Among the topics covered:

• Latino trends and health policy: from walking on eggshells to commitment
• Integrated health care for Latino immigrants and refugees: what do they need?
• Using a translator in integrated care settings
• Enhancing and improving treatment engagement with Latino patients
• Integrated depression care among Latinos
• Chronic disease management and integrated care among Latino populations

Health psychologists, social workers, family physicians, and clinical psychologists will find Enhancing Behavioral Health in Latino Populations an important resource for their professional development, as well as part of the ongoing movement toward reduced disparities and more inclusive and culturally attuned care.

Lorraine Benuto received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she provides treatment to victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and child physical abuse. She is project coordinator and therapist the the Victims of Crime Treatment Center at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Benuto completed her APA-accredited internship at the VA in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she delivered psychological services to a culturally diverse clientele presenting with depression and anxiety. Dr. Benuto has extensive experience delivering evidence-based treatments and conducting psychological assessments with the Latino population. She has delivered professional presentations at state, national, and international conferences on topics related to cultural competence and is co-editing Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology for Springer. William T. O’Donohue, Ph.D. is Professor in the Department of Psychology and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Nevada, Reno. From 1999 through 2005 he was Nicholas Cummings Professor of Organized Behavioral Healthcare Delivery at the same institution. In addition, he is Director of the Victims of Crimes Treatment Center and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Services at University of Nevada, Reno. He is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy and since 1999 has served on the Advisory Board of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. His areas of specialization are mental health service delivery, forensic psychology, human sexuality (treatment of victims and offenders), management and administration, behavior therapy, and philosophy of psychology.