Modismos: Mindfulness and the Importance of Language With Latin American Clients

This research paper is based on a presentation discussed at the annual conference of the American Counseling Association in March 2015. The research introduces the process and results of a study that translated and validated the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS). It also focuses on the importance of language within the Latin American culture and the rationale for developing a mindfulness scale for individuals of Latin American descent. Furthermore, it seeks to help counselors and mental health professionals acquire a better understanding of the significance of different dialects and languages within this population. The paper provides examples of modismos (i.e., idioms) and the clinical implications for using third-wave cognitive and behavioral therapies with Latin Americans.