Aliento, The Center for Latinx Communities

Aliento, The Center for Latinx Communities at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP), is dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being through education, professional preparation, research, and community engagement. Named after the Spanish word “aliento,” meaning “breath,” the Center reflects its mission to “dar aliento”—to offer encouragement, hope, and compassionate support to individuals, families, and communities. Grounded in respect for the inherent dignity of every person, Aliento prepares students and professionals to provide culturally informed, linguistically responsive, and community-based mental health services that strengthen communication, engagement, and access to high-quality behavioral health care.

Academic Program

Aliento’s Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) degree, with a Latinx Mental Health emphasis, prepares students to provide culturally informed psychological services with Latinx and Spanish-speaking individuals, couples, families, and communities. The Center prepares students to integrate systemic thinking, family-centered
practice, and community-informed perspectives into clinical conceptualization and therapeutic intervention. The program emphasizes culturally informed care, ethical decision-making, and professional collaboration in service of high-quality behavioral health care.

• Training Philosophy
• Curriculum
• Program Brochure
• 2024-2025 Aliento Fact Sheet
• The Value of the Aliento Program