Finding A Bilingual Therapist Australia: Inclusive Mental Health Care Options

Australia is a uniquely diverse nation. Almost a third of the population was born overseas, and nearly half of Australians have a parent who was born outside the country. As a result, more than one in five Australians speak a language other than English at home. There is a growing need for bilingual therapy in Australia, which allows individuals to participate in therapy in their native language and work with a provider who understands their cultural background. Culturally sensitive care can effectively promote improved well-being and mental health in daily life. Learn more about the impact of working with a bilingual therapist and how to connect with a professional who speaks multiple languages. 

The importance of culturally sensitive care

Culturally sensitive therapy takes a person’s cultural background into account, considering their cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and more to provide comprehensive mental health care. Clients from diverse backgrounds can greatly benefit from this type of care, as it strives to understand them as individuals within the broader context of their cultures. Whether someone now lives in Melbourne, Sydney, or New South Wales (NSW), their background can still play a significant role in the way they view themselves, the world, and the concept of mental health.

The mental health gap for non-English speakers

For non-English speakers, navigating the mental health care system can be especially overwhelming. Challenges like language barriers and cultural disconnects may result in unequal care. One study found that only 6% of young people who lived in Australia but were born elsewhere and did not speak English at home used mental health services, compared to 9.4% of native Australians who don’t speak English at home and 9.3% of Australian residents who were born overseas and speak English at home. This disparity can highlight the need to support non-English-speaking communities in being able to reach mental health care. 

Barriers to mental health support for Spanish-speaking and other bilingual individuals

For an Australian resident who doesn’t speak English, the challenge of finding a therapist and regularly attending sessions can seem almost insurmountable. Websites aren’t always available in multiple languages. Scheduling over the phone isn’t necessarily any easier, and waiting for a translator can take longer than planned. Once a person connects with a provider, there’s no guarantee that the paperwork will be available in their preferred language. 

Along with a language barrier, there may also be a cultural barrier. For example, some Asian cultures tend to stigmatize mental illness, and if someone shares their condition with others, their family members may face poor economic prospects. One study found that 4% of Asian individuals would seek mental health support from a psychiatrist, compared to 25% of white study participants. This kind of cultural stigma can prevent people from seeking mental health care or staying actively engaged in treatment. 

Addressing the impact of cultural background on psychology

Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for mental health struggles. Personality differences, family dynamics, and communication styles can all play a part in which therapy approach best suits an individual. All of these factors can be impacted by a person’s cultural background, heightening the need for culturally relevant care. 

How cultural psychology can shape your expectations for therapy

For example, someone raised in a culture that values directness might expect a therapist to provide clear, actionable advice. On the other hand, someone from a culture that emphasizes indirect communication might find storytelling during therapy more meaningful. Being able to recognize these differences can help therapists adjust their approach so they’re more in tune with a client’s preferences. Some of this knowledge is impossible to learn from a master’s degree program; it only comes from having lived experience. 

The need for bilingual therapy for eating disorders and other conditions

Bilingual therapy can be useful in treating almost any condition. However, it can be especially beneficial with certain conditions, where communication and cultural understanding can make treatment more effective. 

Eating disorders

Eating disorders impact approximately one million Australians each year, and research suggests that indigenous groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, experience eating disorders at rates similar to or even higher than non-Indigenous people. 

Different backgrounds often take different approaches to food and meals. In many cultures, food is tied deeply to tradition, identity, and family. A bilingual therapist who understands these values can show cultural sensitivity around topics related to food, like control and shame, and develop appropriate therapeutic goals. They may also spot red flags that other professionals might miss or misinterpret.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Some approaches to treating post-traumatic stress disorder involve describing the traumatic event. Having to mentally translate a traumatic experience may prevent emotional release, and an individual may not have the precise language they need to accurately portray what happened and the effects it had on them. Bilingual therapists can provide a safe space, helping clients fully express their feelings in the language they’re most comfortable using. 

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety symptoms can be highly subjective and personal, and it’s critical that a person can fully express themselves during therapy sessions. Being able to work with a therapist who speaks your native language can help you develop greater self-awareness and provide the freedom to open up about how you’re feeling. In addition, bilingual therapists tend to be better equipped to understand culturally specific manifestations of anxiety. For example, some cultures tend to use psychological terms to describe anxiety symptoms, while others may focus on their physical symptoms or talk about anxiety in terms of their emotions. 

The bilingual therapy process

The process of finding a bilingual therapist can start with an internet search for local or online therapists who speak the language you’d like to receive therapy in. For example, the Transcultural Mental Health Centre provides links to various directories and has a bilingual clinical consultation service and mental health line.

Once you’ve found a therapist and scheduled your first session, the therapy process typically begins with an assessment to explore your current difficulties, interests, needs, and goals. Often, completing paperwork is part of this assessment, and conversations with your therapist can further clarify your treatment plan. Once your therapist has developed a plan, you will generally continue to attend sessions and work through your concerns together.

Signs you may benefit from a bilingual therapist

Speaking more than one language doesn’t automatically mean you would benefit from a bilingual therapist. However, if the indicators below sound familiar, it may be a sign that you should seek out bilingual services for your mental health care.

You are emotionally connected to your native language

When you’re angry or upset, what language do you default to? If it’s not English, it might be difficult to talk about those deep and complex emotions with your therapist. Working with a bilingual therapist may enable you to talk about how you’re really feeling without having to translate your emotions. 

You switch between languages to discuss your experiences

Code-switching can be common among multilingual individuals. When a therapist can follow you across multiple languages, you don’t have to interrupt your train of thought to remain in a single language. This can provide a sense of relief, allowing you to speak authentically about your experiences. Because sticking to a single language can slow you down, you may notice that your counselling sessions are more efficient when you can code-switch throughout the conversation.

You haven’t found a therapy provider who seems like the “right fit” yet

If you haven’t yet found your “right fit” therapist, the language gap may have been a reason why. Working with someone who shares your language or culture could be what helps you build a strong therapeutic relationship with someone who really understands you. 

Where to find Spanish-speaking and other bilingual therapists

Finding the right therapist can already be a challenge, so finding a bilingual therapist in Australia who speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian, or another language may seem especially difficult. However, local and online resources can help you connect with a bilingual therapist who is passionate about providing culturally sensitive care. A bilingual therapist’s clinic may be located in an urban area, such as Melbourne or Sydney, or near a multicultural hub. Some bilingual therapists also offer telehealth services.

• The Australian Association of Psychologists, Inc. allows you to conduct an advanced search and filter by the language the psychologist speaks. 
• The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia has an option to search by therapist and select what language you would like them to speak.
• The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has a search feature that includes the ability to choose your preferred language. 
• When you look for a social worker through the Australian Association of Social Workers, you can filter search results by language spoken. 
• The Australian Psychological Society offers the option to filter listed providers by preferred language. 

Supporting children and families in therapy

Bilingual therapists don’t just help adults–they can also support children and families. In many cases, a bilingual mental health professional can work with a school to support children from a variety of cultural backgrounds who may be struggling with emotional or identity-related challenges. They also have the capacity to provide care to families, offering culture- and language-specific guidance for healing. Bilingual therapists can foster a sense of belonging by showing their clients that they are heard and understood.

Digital access to bilingual therapy

Connecting with a bilingual therapist in person may not always be possible, especially if you live in a rural area with limited mental health resources. Another way to attend therapy sessions with a bilingual therapist is through online platforms like BetterHelp. With a network of over 30,000 therapists, you have a good chance of finding a provider who speaks your native language. Please note that the availability of therapists who speak specific languages varies and cannot always be guaranteed.

Numerous studies have examined the efficacy of online therapy compared to in-person treatment. In an exploration of current research, one article found that online therapy:

• Reduced levels of distress for people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Reduced the frequency and severity of panic disorder symptoms
• Significantly reduced symptoms of depression

Additional research suggests that online therapy can be an effective form of treatment for many other mental health disorders as well.

Inclusive mental health care can strengthen communities 

When individuals can participate in therapy using the language they find most comfortable, the entire community may benefit. Benefits of therapy include better interpersonal communication skills, decreased substance misuse, increased empathy, and better quality of life. These benefits don’t stop at the individual level. They can ripple out within families, workplaces, and communities. Inclusive care can contribute to healthier, more connected communities, where people know they are seen and supported in their mental health journeys.