Course Description & Objectives

In the field of interpreting, we often speak of being trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and neutral—but what does that really mean when our own internal landscapes remain unexamined? This immersive and challenging workshop invites interpreters and allied professionals to explore the often-ignored intersection between personal introspection, mental health awareness, and the complex human dynamics that shape our work. We’ll disrupt the false hierarchy of “having mental health expertise” by reframing the conversation: general knowledge of mental health is not the key—deep, honest understanding of your own mental health is.

Through guided introspection, discussion of common factors research, and an acknowledgment that if we like someone, we tend to perceive their work product more favorably, we will examine how our experiences shape how we show up in the work. Participants will confront how interpreter influence and Deaf influence are reciprocal and unavoidable. If being an ally and matching thought worlds are truly our goals, then we must do the hard work of clearing out our internal “junk”—our biases, our distress-avoidance strategies, our assumptions. Neutrality is a myth, working toward social justice while denying our part as oppressors is a mistake, and acknowledging that opens the door to more authentic, ethical practice. Drawing from frameworks like Trauma Stewardship, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, and Somatic Experiencing, we will explore what it means to sit with discomfort instead of dissociating from it. Together, we’ll explore questions like: What am I bringing into the room that I haven’t named? How does my dislike of my team, the setting, or even the Deaf person influence the process? What narratives have I shaped to make my experience more tolerable?

This is not a “fix-it” session. This is a journey into ourselves—into the layered, sometimes painful, always human aspects of being in service to others while also being in service to our own growth. Come prepared to feel, reflect, and maybe even unlearn. This is a journey, not an arrival point.

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify and articulate at least two ways their own unexamined internal experiences (biases, assumptions, distress-avoidance strategies) can influence their interpreting practice and interactions within the interpreted event.
• Describe the interconnectedness of interpreter influence and Deaf influence, and recognize the limitations of striving for absolute neutrality without engaging in personal introspection and addressing internal biases.
• Identify at least two strategies, drawing from the frameworks discussed, for engaging with discomfort and fostering greater self-awareness in their interpreting work.