| Research indicates that limited English proficient (LEP) individuals living in the United States are underrepresented in mental health care settings. The language barrier between LEP clients and the majority of mental health professionals in this country is a major contributing factor to the underutilization of mental health services by LEP individuals. Greater cultural competence in general and more information specifically about work with appropriate interpreters in mental health care settings is needed in order to better serve LEP clients. The purpose of this study was to develop a resource manual for mental health professionals to (a) identify and better understand the LEP population, (b) recognize the need for interpreters in mental health care settings when communicating with LEP clients, (c) differentiate between various types of interpreters based on their qualifications as interpreters, (d) discuss pertinent legal, ethical, and cultural considerations for practitioners working with LEP clients and interpreters, and (e) provide information about how interpreters affect therapeutic interactions. In consideration of the development of the manual that was produced, the objectives of the study included (a) an extensive review of the literature to identify source materials to inform the creation of the resource manual, (b) the recruitment of currently practicing mental health professionals to obtain input to further delineate resource manual inclusion material, (c) the development of the resource manual, and (d) a critique of the manual by a panel of expert reviewers to evaluate the manual for accuracy and relevance. |
