Thus far, we have covered a variety of theory related to mental health and, most recently, childhood trauma. Using this theory as a backdrop, here are some examples of potential scenarios that a mental health professional and, by extension, an interpreter might face. The scenarios are presented as “vignettes” which are typically used by mental… Read More The Face of Childhood Trauma – What It Can Look Like
(picture courtesy of Maria Fabrizio, NPR) “All adults once were children, and who we are as adults is in many ways affected by our childhood experiences, environments, and relationships,” Robert W. Block, MD, FAAP Working in the field of mental health, you will oftentimes hear clients and/or clinicians inquire about and make references to experiences… Read More Childhood Trauma – Setting The Framework – Part I
More often than not, clients who seek mental health services have experienced some type of trauma, at some point in their lives. When we hear the word trauma, we may think about something dramatic, such as war, a life threatening illness/accident, domestic violence or a natural disaster. While these are most definitely traumatic experiences, trauma can… Read More Trauma-Informed Care: A Client-Centered Orientation
For a clinician to begin formulating a potential diagnosis, it is essential to get as thorough a list of symptoms as possible from the client. The clinician will translate the client’s experiences into categories of symptoms which, ultimately, track to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Here is an abbreviated list of commonly cited feelings and experiences… Read More What Symptoms Are You Having? An Interpreter’s Guide to Common Descriptors
Here is an abbreviated role play of an initial intake. Pay close attention to: Rapport building – what techniques is the clinician using to join with the client? Confidentiality & exceptions – done before any disclosure takes place Framing the intake process – the “why” behind all the questions Presenting issue, duration, intensity, triggers and… Read More You Only Get One Chance To Make A First Impression – The Intake Process
For clinicians to get a sense of who their clients are and what has brought them to treatment, here are some initial questions and two assessments that are done early on in the therapeutic relationship. Given the newness of the therapeutic relationship, clinicians are trying to create rapport while embarking on this detailed level of questioning.… Read More Getting to Know You
The first visit with a mental health professional can be unsettling for the LEP. Not knowing what to expect, coupled with a potential language barrier, can create increased discomfort. As service providers, both you and your client (the mental health professional) will play a critical role in the first impression that your LEP will have. Rapport… Read More The First Visit – What To Expect
If you have had an opportunity to review the Diagnositic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), you will have seen, by now, that there are numerous mental disorders that span Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood. As such, there is no cookie cutter treatment plan to address all issues for all people. In our work as… Read More I Need Help – What Are My Options?
Here is a great compilation of statistics from the USC School of Social Work that depicts the prevalence of mental illness, the breakdown by age and most prominent disorders, the repercussions when no treatment is sought and the success rates when it is pursued (pharmacological intervention and psychotherapy).
Accessing mental health treatment can be a daunting task, as we may not know where to go to get the help we need. We know something isn’t quite right and we are willing to take the first step but we may not know what path to put our foot on. Given our recent discussion on… Read More An LEP’s Access to Treatment – Navigating the System of Care
Through My Mind's Eye 