The Mother Tongue in Psychotherapy

Abstract

The psychotherapy of three women with neurotic and adaptational problems was conducted using their mother tongue, German, and emphasis is placed on the facilitation of the therapeutic process by this method. It is felt that transference may be readily formed, there is less resistance to examining conflict areas, and the use of the acquired language as a defense against anxiety can be avoided. Several other authors have noted similar effects of therapy in the mother tongue. Various aspects of the literature are discussed, particularly focusing on the affective and cognitive differences between the primary and acquired languages as they may influence the psychotherapy.