Ethical Considerations in Working with Culturally Diverse Populations: The Essential Role of Professional Interpreters

Abstract

The underutilization of professional interpreters by mental health providers who work with immigrant cli- ents with language barriers represents a failure to meet basic professional ethical standards of care. Language barriers affect key areas of ethics, including clinical as- sessment and decision-making, client confidentiality and informed consent (1). This paper aims to highlight the im- portance of using professional interpreters while working with clients with language barriers. The impact that lan- guage barriers have on clients and providers in clinical care will be discussed, as well as the problems associated with the common practice of using untrained interpreters.