USE OF INTERPRETERS IN INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

Objective: This paper was written after one of the authors treated a c ase by individual therapy using an interpreter, as patient and therapi st spoke different languages, There is little literature on this subje ct, and this paper describes our findings and recommendations for usin g this approach. Method: A 15-year-old Chinese, Cantonese-speaking in- patient in Hong Kong was treated with individual psychodynamic psychot herapy by an English-speaking Caucasian psychotherapist. The Chinese i nterpreter attended each session, and therapy was supervised by a bili ngual Chinese supervisor, The alternative was to not carry out any the rapy, as there was no other therapist available. Results: The patient was treated for a total of 32 sessions, Issues involving language and culture differences between therapist and patient, issues of therapy i n a triadic situation involving group dynamics, and specific therapy d ifficulties raised by the presence of the interpreter are discussed. C onclusion: Therapy was not as effective as hoped, but the patient made some improvements, Finding a suitable interpreter is difficult and th eir role must be well defined, A bilingual supervisor is also needed t o monitor the translation as well as supervising the therapist, Psycho therapy through an interpreter is feasible but not ideal.