Chapter 19 - Intercultural mediation:

Summary

Intercultural mediation involves both message conversion and cultural classification. Thus, clinicians must be aware of its impact in therapeutic encounters and use it appropriately. Despite the increased recognition of the need for preparation of mental health professionals to work with culturally different patients, cultural competence training, generally speaking, remains an objective rather than a reality in most professional preparation programmes. This chapter presents the development of the altered model for intercultural mediation, which is consistent with the current literature as well as clinical reality. The role of the intercultural mediator is traditionally referred to as that of a 'bridge' between cultures, in which communication and as such understanding between the culturally different participants is improved while the interference of difference is reduced. The presence of an intercultural mediator in mental healthcare, particularly psychotherapy, can have an impact on the therapeutic relationship.