Have you ever wondered how the subtleties of language and culture shape the world of play therapy? In a field where communication is key, understanding a few important aspects can have a big impact on therapeutic outcomes. Lisa Dion sheds light on this intricate topic by interviewing Ludmila Golovine, CEO of MasterWord Services and pioneer in bringing trauma-informed practices to language access.
The Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, founded by Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, integrates play therapy with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. The Institute’s “Lessons from the Playroom” podcast, hosted by Dion, features experts like Golovine, offering vital lessons from children that transform both therapists and clients.
Golovine, who brings over 30 years of experience working in the language services industry combined with training in trust-based relational intervention therapy, synergetic play therapy, and trauma-informed care, gets to the core of challenge, “We interact and think differently in different languages.” This understanding is crucial in play therapy, where communication subtleties can significantly influence therapeutic outcomes.
Culture shapes communication
Therapists benefit from understanding cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication, particularly in sessions with members of collectivistic cultures, who make up 70% of the world’s population. Most Americans are culturally individualistic and communicate with slightly different rules and expectations: “The majority of people who come from a collectivistic culture are what’s called high-context communicators… if you do not take those extra few minutes to listen to a [context building] story, you can actually break trust.”
Additional points covered include:
- Avoiding attribution bias in therapy sessions
- Navigating cultural ruptures and challenges in the client-interpreter-therapist relationship
- Avoid using family members as interpreters
Here’s where interpreters, who bring language and critical cultural knowledge to the session, can make great partners in crossing communication and cultural divides. But in addressing trauma, it’s also important to consider the interpreter’s role during a therapeutic encounter.
Being aware of the interpreter
Underscoring interpreters’ role, Golovine explains, “An interpreter is immediately part of the encounter… and according to our professional rules, we interpret everything in the first person… As a result, interpreters process information from a very different perspective to a person who is witnessing the trauma, they actually channel the information.” It’s highly possible that an interpreter too can become dysregulated, even more deeply affected than the therapist in the room. She adds, “During an interpreting encounter, an interpreter is the bearer of good news or bad news… very frequently an interpreter becomes that focal point of communication.”
An observant therapist can thus be the external regulator for both the child and the interpreter, especially if the interpreter has not been briefed on what to expect in the session. Golovine advises, “During a challenging encounter, we want to make sure the therapist also maintains awareness of the interpreter staying within their window of tolerance.”
Additional points covered include:
- The role of the interpreter
- Discussing collaboration with the interpreter in a pression
- Setting interpreter boundaries
An open heart communicates intent across cultures
Lisa Dion and Golovine emphasize the need for continuous learning and cultural humility in play therapy. “It’s not about expecting others to conform to our norms but rather meeting them with an open heart, respect, and willingness to learn and adapt one’s communication style,” Golovine advises, encouraging a deeper understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Link to the podcast page: Synergetic Play Therapy Institute – Podcast Episode
What are your thoughts on the intricate relationship between culture, language, and effective play therapy?