Leury Peña, a 2024 Antioch graduate of the PhD in Couple and Family Therapy program published her dissertation, Parentification and the Protective Factor of Familismo in the Latine Community.
Parentification, or the parent-child role reversal where children and adolescents take on parental responsibilities within the family, is a complex phenomenon that has been understudied, particularly within Latine and Hispanic households. Peña’s dissertation explored how the cultural value of familismo, which emphasizes loyalty, community, and support within the family, can play a significant role in mitigating the negative impacts of parentification.
Through her quantitative research, Peña demonstrated that higher levels of familismo weakened the link between parentification and symptoms of anxiety and depression. This groundbreaking work sheds light on the unique relational dynamics and protective factors that are inherent in Latine families and has important implications for therapeutic interventions.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Peña provides mental health services at the University of South Florida’s Counseling Center. With eight years of clinical experience, she has worked in a variety of settings, including agencies, faith-based organizations, inpatient and emergency medical units, primary care, private practices, and schools. Peña utilizes collaborative, client-centered, and holistic/systemic approaches in her practice. She is dedicated to creating a brave, culturally sensitive, empathetic, and supportive environment to promote healing.
Throughout her career, Peña has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of mental health challenges within underserved and marginalized communities, including the Latine and Hispanic populations.
