The Role of Language in Multilingual Counselling
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Authors
Schweizer, Elizabeth
Issue Date
2025-11
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
anxiety , cross-cultural therapy , language , linguistic psychology , multilingual counselling , shame
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone is an exploration of the function of language within multilingual counselling relationships. Language serves as one of the primary modes of communication within talk therapy, rendering it an essential aspect to consider when counsellors and clients are multilingual. Furthermore, language functions within a sociocultural context and is embedded with layers of cultural nuance, while simultaneously being perceived and interpreted both externally and internally. To demonstrate how language operates differently across languages, I have chosen to contrast English and German concepts of anxiety and shame. The research questions under investigation are: Does language shape our experience and perception of emotion concepts, such as anxiety and shame? When comparing English and German concepts of anxiety and shame linguistically, what are the sociocultural impacts? How can therapists approach language in a way that supports effective communication and expression within the therapeutic relationship? In order to help facilitate deeper insight into the function(s) of language in the counselling context, I created the acronym LSTEN, which stands for L: Language, I: Intention, S: Somatic Approaches, T: Translation, E: Embodied Listening and N: Narrative.
The findings in the capstone reveal that counsellors and clients can benefit and deepen the therapeutic relationship by exploring the function(s) of language.
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Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess