Building trust and relationship across language barriers : a qualitative study of interpreter-mediated psychotherapy with therapists, interpreters and patients

Abstract

Among a variety of barriers to accessing and providing mental health care for migrant and refugee populations, language barriers play a crucial role. Interpreter-mediated psychotherapy (IMP) has emerged as an effective approach to overcoming these challenges and promoting equitable access to mental health care. However, IMP also introduces a more complex relationship structure: the classical therapist–patient dyad evolves into a triad. Relational qualities such as trust, empathy, and mutual understanding are known to be key indicators of a positive therapeutic relationship. Despite the utilisation of interpreters, research on the relational qualities of IMP remains limited. While several qualitative studies have explored relational dynamics in IMP, few have examined these from the perspective of all parties, particularly by incorporating patient’s perspectives. Therefore, this study explores the relational qualities in IMP, focusing on trust-building, the role of nonverbal communication, and relationship development among all parties involved, in order to inform practices that foster equity in mental health care for patients facing language barriers.