In many professions, effective communication is essential for a successful provider-consumer interaction. In particular, in mental health counseling, clinicians rely on verbal and non-verbal communication as the primary tool for obtaining a thorough psychiatric and psychosocial history, providing psycho-therapy, and forming a therapeutic relation-ship with the client. Overcoming language and cultural barriers between the client and the clinician is not an easy task. Both parties interpret cues based on a set of culturally determined beliefs and values, in addition to language differences. If we assume that language and cultural match can bring more beneficial effects to treatment outcome, we need to have many more bilingual and bicultural mental health professionals. The need for culturally competent mental health services far exceeds the available number of bilingual and bicultural mental health professionals. Therefore, the use of interpreters is vital to bridge the language and cultural gap, even though it may not be the ideal communication medium.
Although many organizations already use interpreters, at least three problem areas exist:
Most interpreters are not properly trained in the art of interpreting in mental health settings. (For example, interpreters working in courts or physical health settings may not be competent in working with clients with mental health problems.)
Most providers may not be skilled in using interpreters to work with non-English speaking clients.
Most non-English speaking clients are ill- informed as to their right to receive service in their own native language. Even if interpreter services are available, the clients often find it difficult to express themselves and may be confused by the roles of the provider and interpreter.
The service provider must be sensitive to cultural issues otherwise the interpreter may be asked to interpret information that is inaccurate and all that is left is inaccuracy in two languages.) This training manual is designed to train interpreters to work effectively in a mental health setting. The overall goals of this training are to: 1) produce culturally competent interpreters who are able to identify language and cultural interpretation needs of the monolingual and limited English proficiency (LEP) clients; 2) and allow them to gain the knowledge and skills to perform effectively in the interpreting roles that best serve the clients and the providers in mental health settings.