Spanish For Mental Health Professionals
(310) 259-9923
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Sponsor Proposal
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 Spanish for Mental Health Professionals
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Connecting Your Brand to
Mental Health
Professionals Who Spend $XXX Per Year


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PSYCHOTHERAPISTS - SOCIAL WORKERS - PSYCHOLOGISTS - MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPISTS - PSYCHIATRISTS -LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS - PSYCHIATRIC NURSES
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Mission Statement

Welcome to Spanish for Mental Health Professionals; thank you for spending time with us today!
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Our Mission is to provide educational programs which train, assist and develop Spanish language skills exclusively for Mental Health Professionals. Learning materials using various modalities, enable mental health clinicians to develop expertise in providing assessment and psychotherapy for Spanish speaking populations.

Story of the Property: Meet the Founders
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​In 2009, Cynthia's professional colleagues urged her to start a small group Spanish class just for mental health therapists. Cynthia says, "My colleagues were so advanced with their knowledge of Spanish, and psychotherapy techniques, I realized I needed more help making sure everything was 'native level,' and I began searching for the right partner." Mr. Lopez joined the project, and Spanish for Mental Health Professionals was formed. 
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Cynthia M. Braden, M.A., LMFT
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Alfonso M. Lopez, B.S. S.A.G./ AFTRA (Alfonso DiLuca)
Spanish for Mental Health Professionals strives to help mental health clinicians and clients to connect cross-culturally. The program benefits both the therapist and the client. Therapists gain confidence in delivering popular treatments to Spanish speaking clients, as well as the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Hours. Clients benefit from therapists who are well-trained in the intricacies of delivering these vital services cross-culturally.

Description of the Program
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We strive to maintain integrity with regard to theoretical orientation and standard practice, by researching, adapting and translating. Training modules include topics from the main duties of mental health professionals within Assessment and Psychotherapy. Examples include modules such as: Introduction of the Therapist to a New Client in Spanish, Motivational Interviewing in Spanish, Person-Centered Therapy in Spanish, Telling Time and Dates in Therapy, Crisis Assessment and Safety Plan. See the complete list in Publications and Courses at the end of this document.
We have prepared Videos, Workbooks, Tests, Course Evaluation Forms, Verification of Hours Forms, Certificates of Completion for each of the modules. Students may study choosing from among the following modalities: 

1. Self-Study (continuing education hours and non CE hours). Participants receive videos, workbooks, verification of hours form, tests, certificate of completion
2. Personal Webinars (continuing education hours and non CE hours). Participants receive videos, workbooks, verification of hours form, tests, individual live, therapist-client role play lessons, certificate of completion
3. Agency programs: Agency Visits, Webinars. Agencies select topics to develop clinical staff. Fully customizable for live visits and on-line presentations. 

Founders and Management Team
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Cynthia M. Braden, M.A., LMFT

Cynthia M. Braden has been licensed in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 2002. She learned Spanish as a second language during her school years and became an exchange student in Merida Yucatan Mexico while in her junior year at Ohio University. 

Ms. Braden completed her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology in 1997 at Loyola Marymount University, and it was time to look for an internship and make progress toward full licensure. Ms. Braden discovered that she was a valuable candidate for all the positions she applied for because of her ability to speak Spanish. 

She accepted an internship position in a school-based program in the Los Angeles area where the population was 98% hispanic. She settled in there, practicing her Spanish and becoming a popular therapist among students, parents and staff while she gained internship hours toward licensure.

in 2009, Ms. Braden co-founded the company Spanish for Mental Health Professionals which specializes in creating and delivering programs to help mental health clinicians improve their ability to provide psychotherapy and assessment in Spanish. Also since 2009, she has been treating clients in her private practice office in Manhattan Beach, California.

EDUCATION/AWARDS: M.A. Counseling Psychology, 1997, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA B.S. Communication (minor in Spanish, 1981), Ohio University, Athens, OHAlpha Sigma Nu Honor Society, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 1997

LICENSE: 2002: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist LMFT39309
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EXPERIENCE
Areas of Expertise: In her practice, Cynthia specializes in using Person-Centered Therapy, Emotionally Focused Communication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialogue Therapy with Individuals, Couples, Families and Children. She has extensive experience treating and developing programs for Spanish speaking clients since 1997. She continues to research topics such as translation and application of current therapeutic methods for Spanish speaking populations.
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Co-Founder Spanish for Mental Health Professionals, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
2/2009 to Present
At the request of colleagues, Ms. Braden began developing Spanish programs to assist psychotherapists in improving their competence and confidence in treating Spanish speaking clients. The program currently provides virtual and live trainings for individuals, groups and agencies. In 2023, the Founders received Continuing Education Provider status in the State of California. 

Richstone Family Center, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Bilingual Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee and Intern, 2/1997 to 6/2002
In a middle school-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program for Spanish and English- speaking students, Ms. Braden provided assessment, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psycho-education, parent and teacher consultation.

California Head Start Programs, Los Angeles, CA
Bilingual Mental Health Consultant 2002 to 2010
Ms. Braden provided developmental and behavioral assessments, crisis management, psycho-education, psychotherapy, classroom behavior plans, teacher interventions, parent interventions in various Head Start Early Childhood Education Centers in Los Angeles County. This position was predominately Spanish speaking and involved visiting identified students at ECE’s in Los Angeles County.

Alfonso M. Lopez, B.S.
S.A.G./ AFTRA (Alfonso DiLuca)

Alfonso M. Lopez is a native Spanish speaker and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from INTEC University in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (He is also known as Alfonso DiLuca, SAG, AFTRA in his acting career) His expertise in research, writing, directing, presenting and technology makes him a valuable asset to this project. A popular and skilled bilingual presenter, he has been training and teaching with Cynthia M. Braden, LMFT since 2009. His experience includes instructing individuals, groups, agencies, and virtual office, in addition to his thirty-year international acting career. He is the co-author of all the modules and producer of learning materials. ​

Alfonso is a Dominican-American actor, writer and entrepreneur. He was born in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. His thirty year acting career spans stage and screen in Miami, New York and Los Angeles.​ Alfonso is best known recently for his role as "Jorge", in the beloved and popular TV series "Jane the Virgin". He is also known for memorable roles in hit Hispanic soap-operas like "Prisionera" (as Tito Cabello) and "La Viuda de Blanco" with NBC/Telemundo, which have been translated into numerous languages and distributed in worldwide syndication. Other works include the role of "Cristo" in "Burn Notice", as well as participations in multiple American TV series as "NCIS: New Orleans" and "Days of Our Lives" among others.

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Alfonso got his first taste of acting about the age of ten. Through a connection from his businessman father, Alfonso appeared on Dominican television commercials promoting American products. In those school days, Alfonso also loved writing and drawing, and he made fun and profit by producing comic books that he wrote and sold to students at school. DiLuca is fully bilingual and university-educated in both English and Spanish, allowing him to speak English with a slight, flexible Hispanic accent, and to deliver a dynamic cross-cultural charm to all his roles. The much-younger brother of three children, Alfonso's childhood home was a social and artistic milieu frequented by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends, high-ranking politicians, painters, sculptors and musicians. The family prospered in the 1960's and 70's in business and politics, and encouraged artistic endeavors. Alfonso's mother Nidia Cuervo became a recognized painter in the Dominican Republic who participated in exhibitions and received awards for her work. His abuela on his mother's side was a composer of music and the first female radio newscaster in the Dominican Republic.

Afonso came of age zooming on his motorbike through the steamy streets of Santo Domingo as his attention turned to poetry and romance. He was drawn to studying, memorizing, and performing the classic Spanish poets, from Cervantes to Lope de Vega, as well as his own works within close circles. The family had political aspirations for the promising teenager, and Alfonso began to travel along the campaign trail with candidates who were often family members or friends. Winding through the rugged mountainous interior in long truck caravans, the political campaigners snaked across the island from town-to-town conducting rallies, delivering inspirational speeches, and distributing trinkets to humble locals. DiLuca absorbed the realities of island life, both inside and outside of the city. He gained a deep knowledge of the hardships, enthusiasm, and warm affection of the Dominican people. These early experiences continue to inform the authentic characters that DiLuca brings forth in his acting and writing.

In 1987, during his last year at the prestigious university, Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Alfonso received the award Primera Mención Honorífica for Poetry Writing. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics the following spring. By then, Alfonso had made the decision to leave the island and follow his passion for artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors in the United States. Accompanied by three boxes of his beloved books and a suitcase, Alfonso grabbed a bunk on a cargo ship crossing the 826 miles northwest to Miami, Florida. He enrolled in the International English Program at Florida State University in Tallahassee where he quickly completed the program and obtained the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) certification demonstrating English proficiency. To further improve his skills, Alfonso studied photography, and in 1994 received the certification Applied Professional Photography, from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. He became a United States citizen while living in Miami.

Mr. Lopez enrolled in the studio of renowned south-Florida acting coach Stewart Solomon and promptly became one of its most respected members by fellow students and Solomon himself. He was sought-after for his comedic timing and confident presence, and soon began to receive offers of representation. A Miami talent agent offered commercial representation after seeing Alfonso in one of Solomon's exhibitions of scenes and monologues. DiLuca's work attracted the attention of acclaimed Cuban-American acting coach and theater director, Teresa Maria Rojas and her colleagues. The mercurial Teresa Maria Rojas had founded Prometeo Theater Group, a principal bilingual theater in Miami. With Prometeo, Alfonso starred in several successful plays produced by this innovative theater company. After Prometeo, Alfonso was immersed in the Theater scene in Miami, where he co-starred in many plays by Hispanic and American playwrights. He made a name for himself in popular Latino Theater productions among the luminaries of Hispanic theater such as Zully Montero and Marta Picanes. A producer from the Hispanic television channel Telemundo contacted DiLuca's agent, opening the doors for Alfonso to enter the Telenovela (Spanish Soap Opera) world. He began to land supporting roles in Telenovelas, then co-starring in the popular "Ladrón de Corazónes" (Thief of Hearts), "Los Teens" (The Teens), "Prisionera" (Woman Prisoner) and "La Viuda de Blanco" (The Widow in White), among others. In 2001 Alfonso spent a year in New York City studying acting at Manhattan workshops, while appearing in industrials and commercials. After returning to his lucrative career in Miami, Alfonso even influenced Telemundo producers to cast his real-life mother, Nidia Cuervo, to play his "on-screen" mother in the popular Prisionera.

Alfonso has been based in the Los Angeles area since 2008. The veteran actor appears regularly in commercials, industrials, print ads, films, and television shows. He is the author of numerous registered scripts including Hispanic-themed (Bilingual) Screenplays, Comedy Series, Pilots and Short Films. His story lines treat themes related to Latin American historical fiction and current events.

Currently Alfonso is involved in various projects as a lyricist, writer, and producer/director. He is a collector of scientific books, an avid reader, a student of languages and anthropology.

Customer Demographics

We are currently working to make contact with customers in these professions:
Licensed Mental Health Professionals: Individuals holding licensure, interns and graduate students in the US
Psychiatrists (MD)
Psychologists (PhD. PsyD.)
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Licensed Professional Counselors
K-12 School Districts: School Psychological Services
Graduate Programs of Psychology: Coordinator of Internships
Professional Schools of Psychology: Coordinator of Internships
Community Mental Health Centers: Clinical Director
Medical Schools: Department of Psychiatry, Residence Coordinator
State Hospitals: Clinical Director
​Justice System Mental Health Providers

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs: Clinical Director
Graduate Programs of Social Work: Internship Coordinator
Graduate Programs for Licensed Professional Counselors: Internships
Graduate Programs for Marriage & Family Therapists: Internships
Graduate Programs of Art Therapy: Internship and Practicum 

Goals for Sponsors

Goals for sponsors include: Assist in overall mental health objectives within the community, such as increased visibility, goodwill and sales among the niche market of Mental Health Professionals. Lead generation, improving brand awareness, standing out from the competition, extending reach, driving sales, increased return on investment, building business relationships, gain valuable insight, expand content strategy, foster a positive reputation. Inspire brand loyalty, benefit from association boost brand visibility engage niche market, showcase service or product gain a competitive advantage, interact with prospects establish authority

Sponsor Benefits
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1. Access to World of Mental Health Professionals

We have compiled a count of the various professions within Mental Health Professionals
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2. Sponsor's Corner

Sponsors will be invited to participate in creating a positive space on the Spanish for Mental Health Professionals website where customers can access goods and services that elevate their work culture. 
Sponsors will be able to partner in creating specialized programs for the target audience

3. Curated Categories 

Potential sponsors are selected based on the needs and spending habits of the customer base.

4. Exclusive in Category

One sponsor will be selected from categories such as: pens, agendas, briefcases, luggage, handbags, credit union, banking services, credit card,  travel, office furniture, clothing, shoes and accessories, acquire autos, service autos, malpractice insurance provider, books, educational products

5. Pre-Sold Market

Licenses must be renewed.
Continuing Education Hours must be obtained in order to renew license.
​Capture a share of this market 

6. Year-Round Benefits Packages

  • Logo included in promotional materials 
  • Cross promotion with California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Cause related marketing is access to mental health services by Latino populations
  • Program exclusive to mental health professionals
  • Options to provide raffle items
  • Option to provide prizes or giveaways
  • Direct mail inclusion
  • Email marketing campaign inclusion
  • Product link special purchase
  • A "Making a Difference Award" presented to sponsor
  • Maintain 'Exclusive in Category' position

7. Course Related Marketing

Sponsor Logo on website footer which appears on each page
Sponsor Logo in course materials
In-kind products with company logo such as notebooks, agendas calendars
In-kind products such as briefcases
​Automotive
Banking/credit union
Home ownership, credit cards, loans
Malpractice insurance provider
Travel: air, hotel, meeting venues
Internet service products
Medical Insurance provider
​Clothing, shoes and accessories
Customized Logo clothing, promotional items
Pet products
Spas, self-care
Females in these occupations over 70%​

Current Marketing Plan

Constant Contact 
Direct Mail
Cold Calling
Research and add Contacts
​Free video when sign up to email
​Continuing Education Provider

Ultimate Marketing Plan

1. Improve website to meet technical requirements of Operations.
2. Obtain CE Provider certification in all 50 states
3. Develop technology to provide fully automated educational products
4. Retain staff to assist with accomplishing marketing activities
5. Retain and train staff to staff to conduct cold call and follow-up marketing
6. Production staff to create new lesson content which involves interpreting major theoretical orientations into practice-based Spanish
​7. Obtain saturation of contact in designated professions
8. Additional staff for website management

Website Analytics 2023: spanishformentalhealth.com

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Testimonials
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View Testimonials from our students.

Publications/Courses

Elements and Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Spanish. Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2023 in production)
Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Introduction of the Therapist to a New Spanish Speaking Client (10 modules): 1. Presentarse (17:09; 14 pages), 2. Desahogarse (12:06; 4 pages), 3. Repetir y Aclarar (12:30; 2 pages), 4. Reflejar Sentimientos (13:50; 3 pages), 5. Hacer la Cita (23:54; 10 pages), 6. Concluir la Sesion (9:20; 1 page), 7. Explain Limits of Confidentiality (8:42; 4 pages), 8. Taking Client’s Personal Information (20:09; 6 pages), 9. Financial Issues (11:59, 6 pages),10. Insurance Issues (11:38; 7 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez;  Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Key Basic Phrases in Spanish for Psychotherapists. (1 module, duration: 58:03; 100 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2021) Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Person-Centered Therapy in Spanish (4 modules): 1. Reflecting Content (duration: 19:54; 39 pages), 2. Paraphrasing (duration: 24:06; 69 pages), 3. Reflecting Feeling (duration: 28:27; 32 pages, 4. Reflecting Meaning (duration 24:47; 64 pages); Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2021) Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.
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Motivational Interviewing in Spanish 100 Key Expressions (4 modules): 1. Open Stage (duration 14:24; 81 pages), 2. Affirming Stage (Duration 11:04; 60 pages), 3. Reflection Stage (Duration 21:29; 82 pages) 4. Summarize Stage (Duration 23:34; 74 pages) Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2017); Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Working with Latino Parents: Four Part Process for Success with the Parent
of Your Young Client (4 modules):1. Initial Phone Call (duration: 17:04; 42 pages), 2. Personalismo (duration 16:46; 60 pages), 3. Psycho-education (duration 16:35; 37 pages), 4. Consejos (duration 14:56; 30 pages). 
Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2015) Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Telling Time and Dates in Therapy (3 modules): 1. Numbers, Hours, Days, Dates Vocabulary (duration: 20:06; 78 pages), 2. Making & Changing Appointments (duration: 12:47, 113 pages), 3. Birthdays, Milestones, Years (duration;19:29; 145 pages).
Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2015); Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Psycho-Social Assessment: Presenting Problem (duration 12:23; 26 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2015); Manhattan Beach, CA:  Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Psycho-Social Assessment: Determine Predisposing Factors (duration 13:33; 30 pages)
Manhattan Beach, CA: Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2015); Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Assessment Topics: Consult with Parent about Child Behavior at School (2 modules) (duration 12:15 & 14:25; pages)
Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.
Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2015)

Psycho-Social Assessment: Determine Predisposing Factors (duration 13:33; pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2015) Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Psycho-Social Assessment: History of Problem Parent Interview (duration 6:23) Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2015)
Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Assessment of Substance Use (duration: 38:30; 182 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez; Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Initial Assessment of Abuse: Physical, Sexual, and Parts of the Body I (Duration: 23:04; 11 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2015); Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

First Contact – Therapists First Phone Call to a New Client (duration 22:41; 91 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. Lopez (2014): Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.

Assessment: Immigration Stress (duration 32:11; 95 pages)
Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.
Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López (2014)

Test Yourself Vocabulary Exercise: 40 Terms (duration 22:06; 166 pages). Cynthia M. Braden, MFT & Alfonso M. López;
Manhattan Beach, CA: Spanish for Mental Health Professionals.
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DISCLAIMER: These modules reflect tried and true methods and best practices in many cases, but their effectiveness depends very much on a variety of circumstances outside the control of Spanish for Mental Health Professionals including without limitation the context of use, and the level of training of the user.  No particular result or success can be guaranteed, and Spanish for Mental Health Professionals disclaims all liability relating to any use of the modules by any user.  Materials are suitable for licensed mental health professionals; students, para professionals and pre-licensed therapists under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional only.