The experiences of bilingual mental health providers who engage in language switching in counseling

There is limited research available regarding counselors who use language switching in counseling, making it difficult to understand the role language switching plays in counseling. While research exists on language switching, code switching, and bilingualism, the literature in professional counseling and mental health journals is sparce. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of bilingual mental health providers who engage in language switching in counseling with Latino clients. The current study utilized a phenomenological-heuristic approach to answer two research questions: (a) What are the lived experiences of bilingual mental health providers who participate in English/Spanish language switching in counseling with a Latino client? (b) What are the perceptions of bilingual mental health providers who engage in language switching with their Latino clients about therapeutic alliance? Eight themes emerged in relation to the experiences of bilingual mental health providers who engaged in language switching: mutual or shared support, enhanced communication and expression, inexperienced or unprepared in the language, I was the only bilingual speaker, personal fulfillment, attunement, authenticity, and intentionality. As the Latino population continues to grow, culturally sensitive approaches should be made available to accommodate an already underserved population. This includes preparing mental health providers to provide such services for Latinos that both aid in enhancing the therapeutic process and therapeutic alliance. Implications for further research as well as for future counselors and counselor educators are provided.