Perceptions and Experiences of Psychotherapy Among Forced Migrants With Limited English Proficiency

Abstract

This qualitative study focused on the perspectives of forced migrants’ and their pursuit of mental health services, specifically as they relate to language use in therapy. Semistructured interviews were held during two face-to-face focus groups consisting of 16 adult participants identifying as forced migrants. Analysis of translated and transcribed interviews was conducted by a research team utilizing a constructivist approach to grounded theory. A substantive theoretical model on engagement in therapy emerged, with the core category of culture, which influences forced migrants’ level of trust and mistrust in psychotherapy. Multiple factors, including perceptions of therapy and English language facility, impacted forced migrants’ willingness to engage in psychotherapy. Findings supported language as a barrier to psychotherapy, even when an interpreter was utilized. Consistencies and inconsistencies of findings between the present study and existing literature were offered. Clinical, training, advocacy, and research implications of this study were explored.