Interpreter-mediated psychotherapy – a qualitative analysis of the interprofessional collaboration between psychologists and interpreters

In psychotherapeutic treatment of trauma-affected refugees, it is common that psychologists and language interpreters work together. In this qualitative study, the experiences of interpreters and psychologists are examined to gain insight into factors that enhance and challenge the interaction between the two groups of professionals. Three interpreters and three psychologists working with trauma-affected refugees in Denmark were interviewed about their perceptions of conducting interpreter-mediated psychotherapy (IMP) and their experiences of the interaction between interpreters and psychologists. The interviews followed a semi-structured format and were analyzed according to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). In the analysis, we found that the role of the interpreter is ambiguous. A neutral and objective interpreter was described as ideal, yet interpreters found it difficult to adhere to strict neutrality and psychologists sometimes also requested a more active engagement of the interpreters. Further, we found that conflicts in the interaction between psychologists and interpreters emerged when the two professionals intervened with each other’s areas of expertise. These findings are discussed by including theory concerning therapeutic alliance and interprofessional collaboration.