Bilingual Therapists Research Articles

Spanish–English bilingual psychotherapists: Personal and professional language development and use.

The rapid rise of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States has resulted in an increased demand for Spanish language mental health services. Yet little is known about the training needs of practitioners who provide those services. This qualitative study used in-depth telephone interviews to examine the experiences of 13 Spanish-English bilingual therapists, both native Spanish speakers and heritage speakers of Spanish, in their personal and professional language development and use. The phenomenological analysis highlighted the complexities of living in 2 worlds and providing psychological services in 2 languages. Participants reported that they often felt isolated and disconnected as they struggled to learn and use the 2 languages in their personal and professional lives. While the participants took pride in having the skills of speaking 2 languages and serving a community that is in need, all were aware of their limitations when working bilingually, as they had not received training to do so. Translating their own thoughts during the session, using technical vocabulary, and understanding the variations of Spanish were particularly challenging for the participants who were heritage speakers.

A Commentary on “Gender Perspectives in Cross-Cultural Couples”

This commentary expands on Kellner’s article by discussing clinical practice with Asian and Euro-American couples. Differences in Western and traditional Asian cultural expectations around intimacy and styles of emotional expression can often lead to misunderstanding among couples. Therapy can also be a challenge for couples when they do not share the same first language. A therapist who only speaks English can inadvertently create an alliance with the partner whose first language is English. On the other hand, bilingual therapists who use both English and an Asian language in the session can face challenges differentiating their roles as a therapist versus a translator. Case illustrations are presented to illustrate these challenges.

Six trauma imprints treated with combination intervention: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and Thought Field Therapy (TFT) or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

Green Cross Project volunteers in New York City describe a unique intervention which combines elements of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) with Thought Field Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques. Six trauma imprints were identified and treated in a number of the clients. The combination treatments seemed to have a beneficial effect in alleviating the acute aspects of multiple traumas. Here are the stories of two Spanish speaking couples who were treated in unison by bilingual therapists two to three weeks after the attack on the World Trade Center.

ENGAGING HISPANIC IMMIGRANT MOTHERS: REVISITING THE TIME-LIMITED PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL GROUP MODEL

As new members of a culture, Hispanic Spanish dominant mothers must learn a new language as well as adjust to new and different values and expectations. To facilitate culturally sensitive practice, this article revisits a psycho-educational group model (Leon, Mazur, Montalvo & Rodriguez, 1984). This model was originally developed and successfully utilized by the first author in the mental health setting. The article uses the author's group experiences and the existing literature to emphasize the importance of integrating aspects of Hispanic culture in delivering group services to Hispanic immigrant mothers. Cultural and programmatic considerations for the successful development and implementation of a time-limited short-term group model are presented. Through group sessions facilitated by a bilingual therapist, Hispanic mothers are given the opportunities to develop mutual support systems, learn about their community resources and increase their knowledge on child development.

Quelques remarques sur le problème du bilinguisme en psychotérapie

The authors have attempted an introductory study of problems which are inherent to psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy and psychoanalysis conducted in the second language of a bilingual therapist. This situation seems to be more complex than is usually admitted in current literature. The main problem encountered by the authors in their personal practice stems from the fact that the process of identification becomes complex when the therapist is confronted with regressive and/or progressive shifts in the course of the treatment.