Practitioners’ experiences of working collaboratively with interpreters to provide CBT and guided self-help (GSH) in IAPT; a thematic analysis

Abstract

AbstractWithin IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is offered to all clients regardless of gender, religion, culture and language. Hence, the demand for working with interpreters to facilitate communication during therapy in IAPT has increased. This study explored the experience of therapists working with interpreters to facilitate communication in psychological therapies with clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression including those with co-morbid physical health problems. Thirteen participants, including six CBT therapists and seven Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) working in an NHS IAPT service, were interviewed. A qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006), was implemented. The following four major themes were identified from the participants’ accounts: negotiating a three-way communication, difficulties in expressing empathy, a lack of shared understanding and working creatively with interpreters. During this collaborative working new understandings of engaging emerged leading participants to view this work as possible.