Language switching by bilingual therapists and its impact on the therapeutic alliance within psychological therapy with bilingual clients: a systematic review

摘要

A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the empirical literature exploring the role of language switching in therapeutic engagement for bilingual therapists working with minority ethnic clients who share the same native language. The review identified three main themes of research focusing on: the training needs and professional development of bilingual therapists; the emotional aspects of language use; and the use of language switching and its perceived effects on the therapeutic process. The review indicates that language switching may be a useful therapeutic strategy for bilingual therapists when working with bilingual clients. Findings indicate how language switching may strengthen the therapeutic alliance and enhance client selfdisclosure. They also highlight gaps in the training needs of bilingual therapists. Limitations of the reviewed studies are considered, with discrepancies in recruitment processes and sampling as prominent factors that have impacted upon the generalisability of findings. Recommendations and implications for future research and practice are discussed for language switching as a tool, which may prove valuable for bilingual therapists when accessing and engaging with diverse populations in the therapeutic domain.