Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?

Interpreting in Mental Health Settings

Held at Britannia Street Conference Centre, Kings Cross

Tuesday 11 July 2006

A one day conference and discussion for Interpreters, psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals working with deaf people

Conference Chairs :

Dr Jim Cromwell and Esther Thomas

BSMHD are delighted to have hosted this important event which will explore the issues relating to the use of BSL/English Interpreters in Mental Health Settings.

Presentations included:

Dr Alison Gray, Consultant Psychiatrist , on the psychiatric assessment of Deaf clients. Dr Gray outlined psychiatric assessment of psychotic people in general, and specific strategies, techniques or difficulties she has identified with Deaf clients.

Dr Sara Rhys Jones, Clinical Psychologist , talked about working with Interpreters as a deaf clinician. This identified issues of interpretation between the Deaf and hearing person from another direction.

Dr Jim Cromwell, Chartered Clinical Psychologist , presented on the technical demands of formal clinical testing. Formal assessment procedures are often based on rigid English statements, and departure into BSL compromises the validity and reliability of those methods This session introduced these difficulties.

Julie Watkins, British Sign Language Interpreter , on working as an interpreter in mental health settings, particularly assessment of psychosis. Ms Watkins discussed personal experiences of interpreting in these settings, and what an interpreter needs in order to be effective.

Conference Conclusion . Dr Jim Cromwell, Conference Chair, led a discussion on the themes generated in the earlier part of the day. The aim of the discussion was for clinicians and interpreters to understand the needs and issues relating to the other’s professions in these interactions, and to converge upon a consensus for good practice and ideal working.

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