A qualitative synthesis of literature on mental health therapies for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people from multiple perspectives: the Deaf client, the mental health practitioner and the sign language interpreter
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Date
2025-03-03
Open Access Location
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Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Rights
(c) 2025 The Author/s
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Abstract
Understanding the experience of mental health therapies including counselling, psychology or psychotherapy for culturally Deaf, and hard-of-hearing individuals, is an important area of research, because of the many unique challenges faced by Deaf people. This qualitative synthesis aimed to discover the experiences of the therapeutic triad from the perspective of the Deaf client, mental health practitioner and sign language interpreter. The aim was to expose a range of experiences, as well as potential solutions to inform best practice. A search strategy was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The data was analysed using thematic synthesis. Themes were categorised under the three therapeutic perspectives. Three main themes were generated for the Deaf client, including access issues, lack of mental health knowledge, Deaf community and identity. Three main themes were generated for the mental health practitioner, Deaf awareness, difficulties with adapting therapeutic practice and difficulties with diagnosis. One main theme was generated for the sign language interpreter, vicarious trauma. In order to strengthen the triangle of care, multiple solutions were identified. Clinical implications include improving access to mental health services for Deaf clients, offering clinical supervision for sign language interpreters and providing training for mental health professionals and sign language interpreters to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the Deaf.
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Keywords
Counselling, mental health therapies, Deaf and hard-of-hearing, Deaf client, mental health practitioner, sign language interpreter
Citation
Gould J, Clark-Howard K. (2025). A qualitative synthesis of literature on mental health therapies for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people from multiple perspectives: the Deaf client, the mental health practitioner and the sign language interpreter. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. Latest Articles. (pp. 1-25).