Native Language

A therapist is concerned that a potential patient may not have a good enough grasp of the English language to be able to benefit from treatment. What is the best way to test this? How do you tell the patient that you cannot treat them?

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© Helen Lesser 2006

A therapist received an email regarding a problem with an inability to maintain eye-contact. This is a fairly common problem and while it does not sound particularly onerous can actually have quite devastating consequences for the sufferer.

The person who sent the email was truly desperate for help, mentioning a wish to rather be dead than have to put up with the problem any longer.

The writer of the email was clearly not a native English speaker, hence the question being asked by therapist:  Can he still be treated?

The therapist who received the email intended to speak to him on the phone to ascertain his abilities with the English Language, but wondered what should be done if it turned out that his linguistic skill in English was insufficient for treatment to be successful.

This is the reply and advice he received:-

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