1. Latin American Films Produced in
the United States:
Bilingual and Clinical Considerations
Jacob Gross
Masters Candidate, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Clinical Counseling Program

2. “Selena”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14gyU53hMJk
- Story of a rising star in the music industry
- Everyday pressures of what it takes to “make it”
- Family stressors; father, siblings, intimate relationship;
family structure; hierarchy; familismo y machismo (“In a
community that is poor and often oppressed there is so much suffering that men are taught aguantar; to grin and
bear it. “aguantate” the men around him say. A macho does not show weakness. Grit your teeth, take the pain,
bear it alone and be touch (Anaya, 1996, p. 63)
- Goals as a child vs adult; playing outside vs gaining
appreciation for music and the industry
- What would therapy look like?

3. Bilingual/Cultural Considerations
“Family and emotional matters may be most comfortably
expressed in one language while conversations about
work may be most fluently discussed in another”
(Chavez, 2014)
Switching based on “context and need” (Chavez, 2014)
“Usually one is the dominant language” (Chavez, 2014)
In “Selena” the “code switching” (alternancia de
códigos) is seen among the various relationships;
depending on who is conversing, and what emotion is
being portrayed (Gross, 2012 & Carra, 2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWIHGptRVzY

4. Bilingual/Cultural Considerations
“Bilingualism is used when an
individual wants to focus in on a
certain word or is unsure of a word
in the other language” (Gross,
2012)
Ex: “Estoy muy….excited..”
What does this say about Selena
and her fan base? Is this a bilingual
implication (unsure of the word
“excited” in Spanish), or wanting to
represent both sides of her fan
base? (Latinos and US-Americans)
Familismo displayed by
Selena’s father
When Selena (dressed in a
bustier) is first seen by her
father;
“¿Qué está pasando? What
is happening?!” (Pride of
culture from father’s
perspective)
Selena’s relationship with
Chris Perez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntV7DY2nLOo

5. Clinical Considerations
Awareness of the issues of
diversity in counseling session
(assumptions, biases, values)
(Segura-Herrera, 2014).
Family session; awareness of
family hierarchy; father as the voice
Knowledge of worldview of client
(Corvin & Wiggins, 1989)
Attitudes, opinions, how we think,
etc
Is the therapist ethnically similar? If
not, could pose problem (García &
Zea, 1997)
Importance of family/familismo
If no recognition of importance of
family, resistance may
develop/premature termination of
therapy (Gloria & Rodriguez, 2000)
Effectiveness of therapy; value of
the family and familial structure
(Gloria & Rodriguez, 2000)
***Selena’s meaning of the
world/future vs her fathers?
Develops into an agreement
between Selena and father over
time?

6. “Spanglish”
- The intertwining of 2 cultures (White, US-American
family, and Mexican mother and daughter)
- Language barriers
- Coping with adjusting to US-American lifestyle and
sticking to culture of origin at the same time
- Flor uses her daughter to interact with the family
(language barrier)
- What would therapy look like?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXkSBXrdDxs

7. Bilingual/Cultural Considerations
- Initial moment when Flor is introduced to Deborah (the
mother of the wealthy family), there is a linguistic
component addressed with Flor’s name.
- As film progresses, Flor begins learning English, but still
implements “Spanglish”
- Flor’s reaction to the family she works for; all about
money, ignoring of daughter’s needs. (What do you think Flor’s values
were growing up vs the values of the Deborah? Familismo? Lack thereof?)
- Flor: “Just try it on”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbAtkEm1D3o

8. Bilingual/Cultural Considerations
- When Flor gets angry, how does she express her anger
toward Deborah?
- How does Flor want her daughter to be brought up in the
US? Is Deborah influencing Flor’s daughter in a negative
way?
- The language barrier somewhat prevents Flor from truly
expressing her emotions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBKNMABdZwc

9. Clinical Implications
- Because of Flor’s experience in Deborah’s household,
will Flor express a need for a Latino/a therapist?
- A non-Latino therapist may not attend to Flor’s
psychosocial needs; adjusting to life in Deborah’s
home/acculturation, conveying true/raw emotions
(Kouyoumdjian, 2003)
- Flor’s worldview vs. Deborah’s?
- Flor’s belief in raising children; giving attention, love,
care, compassion; familismo , “buying” love versus
simply “loving”?