A Conversation Analytic Study of Interpreter-Mediated Systemic Therapy: What Makes It Work?

Area of Science:

• Psychotherapy research
• Communication studies
• Systemic therapy

Background:

• Interpreter-mediated psychotherapy (IMP) presents unique challenges in establishing therapeutic alliances.
• Understanding cross-cultural communication dynamics is vital for effective mental health treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine conversational practices in interpreter-mediated psychotherapy (IMP) using conversation analysis.
• To identify how systemic interventions are managed and how therapeutic relationships are built in mediated transcultural settings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of video-recorded psychotherapy sessions involving a systemic therapist, an interpreter, and an Arabic-speaking refugee.
• Application of conversation analysis to study verbal and nonverbal communication patterns.

Main Results:

• Identified three key systemic practices in IMP: interpreter renderings of interventions, maintaining client affiliation without verbal engagement, and interpreter co-driving the therapeutic process.
• Demonstrated how these practices contribute to building a working alliance in mediated transcultural therapy.

Conclusions:

• Systemic practices in IMP are crucial for productive trauma therapy.
• Findings offer implications for systemic practice and training in interpreter-mediated mental health care.