Interpreters often work in high stakes, emotionally charged environments where the content of what they interpret can significantly impact their mental and emotional wellbeing. Whether interpreting in legal proceedings, medical consultations, or situations involving trauma, the emotional toll of such assignments can be considerable. However, it is essential for interpreters to understand the importance of their own wellbeing and resilience to continue providing quality services while maintaining their health and mental balance.
On Thursday 23rd October, we hosted our Virtual coffee morning where interpreters gained valuable insights into the emotional aspects of their work. The guest presenter for the interactive session, health and wellbeing coach and Chartered Psychologist Rosinda Abbott (CPsychol), brought a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to help interpreters manage the psychological challenges they face. Rosinda’s presentation was shaped by the results of an interpreter wellbeing survey we conducted, which provided essential insight into the specific needs and concerns of interpreters in the field. In addition, we incorporated live polls throughout the event, allowing interpreters to answer questions that Rosinda posed in real-time, further enriching the discussion and providing deeper insights into the wellbeing of interpreters in the field.
Insights from the interpreter wellbeing survey
The survey, which was sent out to interpreters ahead of the session, posed the key question: What kind of wellbeing or support resources would you find most helpful?
The results revealed three key areas where interpreters felt they needed the most support:
- Access to counselling or mental health support
- Stress management or resilience workshops
- A confidential space to debrief after challenging assignments
These responses helped Rosinda Abbott tailor her session to meet the needs of interpreters. Her presentation focused on these key themes, providing interpreters with practical tools to manage the emotional impact of their work and build resilience for long-term wellbeing.
The psychology behind vicarious trauma and emotional contagion
Vicarious trauma refers to the emotional impact that occurs when individuals are exposed to the trauma experienced by others. Interpreters, by the very nature of their work, are regularly exposed to traumatic events, whether translating for victims of domestic abuse, refugees fleeing conflict zones, or patients with severe medical conditions. Over time, this exposure can accumulate, potentially leading to emotional fatigue, burnout, or even secondary trauma.
Emotional contagion is another psychological phenomenon that is particularly relevant in the interpreting profession. This refers to the unconscious process through which emotions are transferred from one person to another. Interpreters may “catch” the emotions of the people they are interpreting for, whether it’s anxiety, sadness, or anger. This can be particularly difficult to manage when interpreting in situations where the emotions of the speakers are intense or overwhelming.
Rosinda explained that understanding the psychological effects of these phenomena is the first step in developing strategies to protect and maintain the wellbeing of interpreters. Without this awareness, interpreters may unknowingly carry the emotional weight of their assignments beyond the session, which can have long-term effects on their personal and professional lives.
Practical reflection and decompression techniques
Given the nature of the work, it’s clear that interpreters need practical tools to manage emotionally charged assignments. Rosinda provided a variety of reflection and decompression techniques that are easy to incorporate into an interpreter’s routine. These techniques also addressed the need for resources, as indicated in the survey responses.
Mindful reflection
After an emotionally intense assignment, interpreters should take a few minutes to engage in mindful reflection. This involves paying attention to thoughts and emotions without judgment. Acknowledging any feelings of stress, sadness, or anger, and allowing them to pass before moving on to the next task can help reset emotional balance.
Grounding techniques
When feeling overwhelmed, grounding exercises can help re-establish a sense of balance. One effective technique involves focusing on surroundings by engaging the senses. For example, interpreters can concentrate on the feeling of their feet on the ground or the texture of an object nearby. This can help refocus and regain a sense of calm.
Decompression rituals
Developing personal decompression rituals can help interpreters unwind after work. Whether it’s going for a walk, journaling, or practicing deep breathing exercises, having a set routine to follow after emotionally difficult assignments helps interpreters detach from the emotional content of the work and reset.
These techniques are not only beneficial in the moment but also serve as long-term strategies for improving resilience. The more consistently interpreters integrate these techniques into their workday, the better equipped they will be to handle the emotional challenges that come with the job.
One key poll question revealed that 68% of interpreters already practice a specific decompression technique after emotionally intense assignments.
Strengthening wellbeing and resilience in the interpreting profession
In addition to individual techniques, Rosinda discussed the importance of a supportive work environment and embracing a community of peers to enhance wellbeing and resilience. Interpreters often work alone, particularly in freelance or contract settings, which can lead to feelings of isolation and burnout. Therefore, it’s important to find ways to stay connected with others in the profession.
Peer Support
Developing relationships with fellow interpreters allows for shared experiences and discussions about challenges in a supportive environment. Peer support helps alleviate feelings of isolation and provides opportunities for mutual empowerment in managing the emotional aspects of the job.
Supervision and mentoring
Seeking supervision or mentorship can help interpreters process difficult assignments. A mentor who has experienced similar challenges can provide guidance on coping with emotionally demanding situations, while supervision offers a structured environment to discuss any emotional or professional difficulties.
Work-life balance
Finally, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential. Interpreters should set clear boundaries between their professional responsibilities and personal time. This not only prevents burnout but also ensures that interpreters have time to recharge, engage in self-care, and attend to other aspects of life that contribute to overall wellbeing.
Key takeaways
While it is not the role of an interpreter to provide emotional feedback on the content of an assignment, understanding the psychological impact of the work is crucial. Interpreters are highly skilled professionals who navigate complex and emotionally charged situations every day, and this requires a strong focus on personal wellbeing. By using practical reflection and decompression techniques, seeking support from peers, and building resilience, interpreters can continue to thrive in their profession without sacrificing their mental and emotional health.
The Silent Sounds virtual coffee morning with Rosinda Abbott provided an invaluable opportunity for interpreters to learn how to better manage the emotional aspects of their work. With the results of the wellbeing survey serving as a foundation for the session, interpreters walked away with the tools and resources they need to prioritise their mental and emotional health. Ultimately, the work interpreters do is invaluable, but so too is their wellbeing. The key to long-term success in this field lies in the ability to manage the emotional demands of the job while maintaining personal health and resilience.
We would like to extend a special thanks to Rosinda for volunteering her time and expertise to support our interpreters. The Silent Sounds team looks forward to collaborating with Rosinda on future projects to further support the wellbeing and resilience of our interpreting community.
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