Event - Careif trains Refugee Resource's counselling team on working with interpreters

On 22 April, the Oxfordshire-based charity Refugee Resource invited Careif to deliver a training session for their Counselling and Psychotherapy Team on Working with Interpreters and across cultures in Mental Health and, specifically, in trauma-informed counselling sessions.

The mission of Refugee Resource is for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to heal, integrate, and build meaningful lives as part of Oxfordshire's diverse wider community. The session was delivered both in person and online by two experts in their field. Phil Muriel is an interpreter with 25 years’ experience and a former non-executive director of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. He shared the interpreter's perspective, while Professor Rachel Tribe (Chair of Careif) brought the perspective of a psychologist.

Together, they provided invaluable insight into the complexities, challenges and best practices of triadic working within counselling settings. The training covered a range of topics, including the importance of language in clinical work, contextual factors, vicarious trauma, support of interpreters, the relevant legislation in relation to working with interpreters, relevant guidance relating to this topic, the latest research and anonymised case discussions.

Professor Tribe commented:

“We  met with an engaged and knowledgeable team of therapists and had a very interesting session with them. They are undertaking a range of work with people from across the globe. Their mission is to help people build meaningful lives as part of the wider community."

A spokesperson for Refugee Resource stated:

“As our counsellors work with interpreters very frequently to support clients through one-to-one specialised trauma-informed counselling, the training was especially relevant and meaningful. It was extremely well received and greatly enjoyed by all who attended. A huge thank you to Phil and Rachel for sharing their expertise,  experience and passion with our team."