Bilingual Issues in Mental Health Assessment and Treatment

Abstract

Bilingualism profoundly impacts psychiatric diagnosis and psychotherapy because language is the primary tool of both processes. This article reviews the contemporary research literature in the area of mental health assessment and treatment of bilingual individuals in the United States. It was found that bilingualism introduces special concerns to clinicians independent of language of assessment and regardless of whether a translator is used in the interview process. Bilingualism may interfere with clinician and patient knowledge and rapport, leading to qualitative as well as quantitative differences in assessment and treatment. Nevertheless, an understanding of the dynamics of bilingualism provides opportunities for practitioners to enhance the mental health care of bilingual patients.