WORKING IN THE MOTHER‐TONGUE: FIRST LANGUAGE PROVISION AND CULTURAL MATCHING IN INTER‐CULTURAL THERAPY

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper describes an individual psychotherapy conducted in Urdu by a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in training, using Hobson's Conversational Model of therapy. This integrational approach draws upon an eclectic range of thought including psychoanalysis, philosophy, cognitive therapy, systems theory, particular schools of philosophy and the Romantic Movement. An outline of the background issues leading to this particular case‐study is followed by a case description emphasizing particular aspects of the therapeutic endeavour that allowed creative change and conflict resolution to occur, including the flexibility and openness of the therapist's stance. A discussion of wider issues posed by this clinical experience, including cultural matching, the provision of therapy for ethnic minorities conducted in the client's first language and the appropriateness of Westernized schools of psychotherapy in the context of inter‐cultural therapy is offered.