Working with Language Diversity in Psychotherapy

Enhancing Multilingual Client Outcomes

Australia’s increasingly multicultural society presents both challenges and opportunities for psychologists working with clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The growing linguistic diversity, with millions of people reporting non-fluent English, calls for a more nuanced approach in therapy that considers the unique linguistic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse clients. Research suggests that language plays a pivotal role in how individuals express, process, and reflect on emotions and experiences. Understanding this can significantly enhance the therapeutic process and improve client outcomes.

The Role of Multilingualism in Therapy

Multilingual individuals may experience and express emotions differently depending on the language used. Studies have shown that people often find it easier to process emotional events in the language in which those events occurred (Marian & Neisser, 2000). This is particularly relevant for clients whose emotional experiences are deeply intertwined with their native language. Bilingual and multilingual individuals may switch between languages as a coping mechanism, either to distance themselves from painful memories or to delve deeper into their emotional experiences (Pavlenko, 2012). In therapy, this phenomenon can provide valuable insights, but it also presents challenges in ensuring that clients are fully able to express their feelings and experiences.

Language and Therapeutic Outcomes

Given the importance of language in emotional processing, it is crucial for therapists to consider the language in which therapy is conducted. Research indicates that therapy conducted in a client’s native language can be more effective than therapy conducted in a second language (Griner & Smith, 2006). However, access to bilingual therapists is limited, and many clients receive therapy in English, regardless of their proficiency in the language. This can potentially hinder the therapeutic process, as clients may struggle to express themselves fully or may experience a diminished connection to their cultural identity (Imberti, 2007).

Narrative Processes in Therapy

A key element of psychodynamic therapy is the creation of a coherent narrative. This involves both the recounting of past events and the exploration of their emotional significance. Successful therapy often hinges on the ability to reflect on and reframe one’s life story, a process that is enhanced when clients can access deeper levels of emotional reflection. Research on narrative processes in therapy has identified that reflexive language—language that delves into the meaning and emotional resonance of an experience—correlates with better therapeutic outcomes (Angus et al., 1996).

For multilingual clients, the challenge is to facilitate this reflective process, especially when therapy is conducted in a second language. Encouraging clients to engage in native tongue expression can serve as a valuable tool in bridging the gap between the emotional experience and its verbal expression. When clients are invited to share a narrative in their native language, it allows them to access a deeper emotional truth, which can then be reflected upon and reprocessed in the therapeutic setting.

Practical Application in Therapy

In practice, one approach to addressing language diversity in therapy involves inviting clients to express emotionally charged experiences in their native language. This may be followed by a reflective process where the client re-explains the experience in English, facilitating a deeper understanding and reflection on the emotions involved. By utilizing this approach, therapists can help clients engage in a more reflexive narrative mode, a key predictor of positive therapeutic outcomes.

While it may not always be feasible for therapists to be fluent in the client’s native language, this approach fosters an environment where language can be seen as a tool for emotional expression rather than a barrier. It allows clients to maintain their cultural identity while also providing the therapeutic space to process emotions in both their native tongue and the therapeutic language.

Conclusion: Embracing Language Diversity in Therapy

As Australia’s population continues to grow in linguistic diversity, it is imperative that psychologists consider the language preferences and needs of culturally and linguistically diverse clients. Language is not just a means of communication; it is a key element in emotional processing, identity formation, and therapeutic success. By adopting strategies that invite clients to engage in native tongue expression and reflection, therapists can help facilitate deeper emotional exploration and improve therapeutic outcomes. Future research should continue to explore the impact of language in therapy, particularly the benefits of integrating multilingual expression into psychotherapeutic practice, to ensure that culturally appropriate and effective services are available to all clients.

References

Angus, L., Hardtke, K., & Levitt, H. (1996). The narrative processes coding system manual: Expanded edition. Department of Psychology, York University, North York, Ontario, Kanada.
Griner, D., & Smith, T. B. (2006). Culturally adapted mental health intervention: A meta-analytic review. Special issue: Culture, race, and ethnicity in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.), 43(4), 531–548.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.43.4.531
Imberti, P. (2007). Who resides behind the words? Exploring and understanding the language experience of the non-English-speaking immigrant. Families in Society, 88(1), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.3593
Marian, V., & Neisser, U. (2000). Language-dependent recall of autobiographical memories. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,
129, 361–368. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.129.3.361
Pavlenko, A. (2012). Affective processing in bilingual speakers: Disembodied cognition? International Journal of Psychology, 47, 405– 428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207594.2012.743665