Standard and Ethics Ethical Considerations in Working with Culturally Diverse Populations: The Essential Role of Professional Interpreters

Abstract: The underutilization of professional interpreters by mental health providers who work with immigrant cli-ents with language barriers represents a failure to meet basic professional ethical standards of care. Language barriers affect key areas of ethics, including clinical as-sessment and decision-making, client confidentiality and informed consent (1). This paper aims to highlight the im-portance of using professional interpreters while working with clients with language barriers. The impact that lan-guage barriers have on clients and providers in clinical care will be discussed, as well as the problems associated with the common practice of using untrained interpreters. Résumé: Considérations éthiques au sujet du travail auprès des populations de diverses cultures: le rôle essentiel des interprètes professionnel