Bridging Language and Culture: Best Practices for Bilingual Counsellors Working with Immigrant Populations
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Authors
Deng, Shiyu
Issue Date
2025-12-15
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
bilingual counselling , code-switching , multicultural counselling , therapeautic alliance , immigrant populations , cultural competence
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone project explores best practices for bilingual counsellors working with immigrant populations through a qualitative literature review. Grounded in linguistic code-switching theory and multicultural counselling theory, the study synthesizes current research to examine how language, culture, and identity interact to shape the therapeutic process. Findings reveal that bilingual counselling enhances therapeutic alliance, emotional expression, and client trust by allowing communication in clients’ preferred languages. However, bilingual clinicians face ethical and professional challenges, including blurred boundaries, transference, countertransference, and risks of burnout. The review identifies significant gaps in training and supervision, particularly in the Canadian context, where bilingual counselling practices remain underdeveloped despite the country’s linguistic diversity. Clinical implications outlined emphasize the intentional use of code-switching as a therapeutic tool, ongoing cultural humility, and awareness of intersectionality. This project concludes with recommendations for developing structured training, supervision, and policy initiatives to support culturally and ethically competent bilingual counselling practices.
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess