In a world of multicultural and multilingual therapy, clinicians and clients often find themselves navigating linguistic complexities. Some may feel they have little choice regarding the language used in therapy, especially when it is difficult to find a clinician who speaks their mother tongue. Others may seek clinicians who speak their second or third language because they have become accustomed to expressing themselves in a language other than their mother tongue.
The Emotional Role of Language in Multilingual Therapy
Language can help clients feel emotionally connected. Some prefer a clinician who speaks the same language because it makes emotional expression easier. They may also find comfort in sharing personal stories with someone who shares their culture and whose understanding is shaped through language. Using their mother tongue to process difficult experiences can help clients connect more deeply with these emotions and achieve emotional release. It’s common for people to feel more comfortable expressing strong emotions in their native language. Because early emotional experiences are often encoded in that language, it can offer a deeper sense of safety and connection in therapy.
Conversely, some clients find it easier to work through their emotions when speaking a second language. The act of thinking through their words creates emotional distance, allowing them to process difficult memories without feeling overwhelmed. Using a second language can support emotional regulation and offer the space needed to address experiences that previously felt unmanageable.
Addressing Linguistic and Cultural Complexity in Therapy
It is important for clinicians to recognize the nuances of working with multilingual clients. “Raising awareness of how clients choose their emotional language, how their languages reflect their culture and how their identity manifests itself in different languages will help facilitate a smoother therapeutic process and a more beneficial outcome” (Verkerk, Fuller, Huiskes & Schüppert, p. 957).
Language shapes identity, understanding, and emotion. Clinicians must consider the cultural and linguistic uniqueness of each client and validate the complexities of multilingual identity. They may invite clients to shift between languages when helpful or encourage cultural references that feel grounding. Healing involves giving clients the space to feel that their culture and language are recognized as central to their recovery. Clinicians with intercultural experience at Mindsession understand these complexities and work with each person individually to support their healing.
