Clinical communication and the ‘triangle of care’ in mental health and deafness: Sign language interpreters’ perspectives

Abstract Objective To explore the processes by which therapeutic alliance develops in mental health consultations with Sign Language interpreters. Method Semi-structured interviews with 7 qualified interpreters were transcribed and analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results Two key themes were generated: (1) Nurturing the triangle of care, where the therapeutic process relied on collaboration, continuity, and trust; and (2) Shared vision and knowledge, in which participants felt misunderstood and unsupported; there was a lack of deaf awareness and clinicians appeared to feel deskilled. Conclusions Interpreters should be viewed as valued members of clinical teams and have access to clinical supervision so that they can be supported in interpreting emotional distressing content. Clinicians can aim to be collaborative with interpreters and improve their knowledge of mental health issues that are relevant to deaf people. Practice Implications An aide-memoire of the role and practicalities of working with SL interpreters should be developed and disseminated to relevant services to support collaborative working with clinicians. A core competence in SL interpreter training is reflexivity. This should be embedded in educational curricula and facilitated through clinical supervision. Funding by commissioning services should be subject to services being deaf aware and interpreters being mental health aware.