A Case Study of Interpreter-Mediated Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Challenges and Recommendations for Effective Implementation

Abstract

Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is one of the most efficacious and widely utilized treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, no empirical studies have examined PE when implemented using an interpreter for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). This omission is at odds with data indicating the number of individuals in the United States who speak languages other than English has risen dramatically over the past few decades and is expected to continue to grow. Consequently, there is a need to understand whether evidence-based trauma interventions, such as PE, work when utilizing an interpreter to reduce barriers in access to care. This case study presents an overview of the case of Teresa, a 28-year-old monolingual Spanish-speaking Latina female who was treated for PTSD following an armed home robbery. Teresa was treated with PE using certified Spanish-speaking medical interpreters. Teresa received 13 sessions of PE and showed clinically significant reductions in both PTSD and depression. This article details the progression of her case, challenges associated with utilizing an interpreter in PE, recommendations for the incorporation of interpreters in the delivery of evidence-based trauma treatment, and directions for future research.