Identification: a qualitative study of the experiences of bilingual therapists with their monolinguals and bilingual clients

Abstract

We now live in an increasingly diverse society, and many of our relationships are with people who do not necessarily share our first language. This study investigates such relationships when they occur between therapist and client. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of therapists conducting counselling in English when that was their second or subsequent language. Nine counsellors/psychotherapists, born outside the UK and for whom English was their second language, were interviewed and asked about their work with English monolingual clients and bilingual clients, with particular reference to the therapeutic alliance. Data were analysed thematically from interview transcripts using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) principles. This paper focuses on findings related to two key themes which share certain developmental features associated with the early mother–infant relationship: (i) identification and (ii) over-identification. These themes are explored in relation to psychodynamic developmental theory and to previous studies. The participants’ bilingualism was found to be a part of the therapeutic alliance with their clients. The study has implications for theory, practice and future research.