Notes on the article by A. Baez and D. Hernandez “Complementary Spiritual Beliefs in the Latino Community: The Interface with Psychotherapy”

The article demonstrates that the successful provision of culturally sensitive and culturally inclusive mental health services depends in large part on the level of congruence between the client’s and the mental health practitioner’s respective views of mental illness and its treatment. So, it is vital for mental health professionals to draw the distinction in these matters in order to find the best approach to their patients. This article is intended to help non-Latino mental health practitioners reach that “level of understanding and respect, and also to achieve the adjustment of clinical techniques necessary for better cultural responsiveness to these patients, a matter seldom addressed directly in the mental health literature” (p. 410)

“Focusing on prevalence, particularly in a simplistic “believes or doesn’t believe” fashion, overlooks the existence (experienced by the authors as both clinicians and Latinos) of a spectrum of belief in Santeria and Espiritismo, ranging from near disbelief to fervent devotion, on which Latinos’ positions may be constant or variable, especially in connection with stressful life events.” (p. 409)

This quote shows that, as with all spiritual orientations, there are believers whose faith is consistent, and those whose faith is flexible, dynamic. Thus, the cultural response to these patients should be different.

We once again find that the material and spiritual worlds are believed to be intertwined in a holistic way in both Espiritismo and Santeria, dysfunctions are believed to have a spiritual cause, a material cause (such as biological illness) or both. A unifying theme for both systems is the centrality of harmony and balance. To heal is to restore balance within the self, relative to others and to the spiritual world. (p. 412) This is why if mental health specialists could respond to these issues from a holistic point of view it will be beneficial for the patients. 

Reading more and more about various cultural groups addressing healing from a holistic perspective makes me wonder why it has not yet become a “common knowledge” and “normal practice” in our health care system? Do we still need more proof of its necessity?