LLanguage and communication are the most important aspect of therapy. When exploring through an individual’s past experiences and their trauma, it is very important they feel listened to.
At U Matter we practice this everyday by talking to clients in their native language (Albanian) and have found they feel more comfortable and are able to make more progress with their therapy.
A study found that “Psychotherapy for ethnic-minority clients can be particularly effective if psychologists integrate clients’ cultural values into treatment, according to a recent paper that provides the first survey of culturally adapted mental health interventions.”
With our service we do not only take the Albanian language into account, but also how significant the aspect of culture is within their therapeutic treatment. As such, clients feel so much more accepted and heard.
We have seen great difficulty in cases where clients have had previous experience with therapists and having a translator present. What should be a session with two people, becomes an awkward encounter for the client.
They may feel judged, ashamed and have heard cases where the interpreter may tell an upset client not to get emotional or where the interpreter may “clean up” the words used by the client in cases where they may be talking about violence or abuse.
In most of these cases the interpreter may mean no harm but may not understand how therapy works or how their input may disrupt the process for both the client and the therapist.
Our services here at U Matter remove the need for an interpreter and we are then able provide the client with a safe and welcoming space for them to explore.
Contact us today if you would like more information on the services we offer.