Presented at the 2025 Summit

Mental Health Interpreting: Beyond Words, Beyond Training, Beyond the Gaps

0.3 CEUs, PS

Mental health interpreting requires more than just fluency in language — it demands nuanced understanding of emotional content, clinical dynamics, and the ethical complexities that arise when interpreting in therapeutic spaces. This workshop will provide an overview of what mental health interpreting entails and how it differs significantly from other interpreting contexts. Participants will explore widespread gaps in training, supervision, and skill development, particularly in Deaf mental health services. The session will also offer guidance for interpreters, including Deaf interpreters, seeking to deepen their competence, identify growth areas, and advocate for systemic improvements. Whether you're just entering the field or have years of experience, this workshop invites you to think critically, reflect deeply, and move the profession forward.

Workshop Curriculum

  1. 1
    • Welcome

    • Workshop Handout

  2. 2
    • Workshop

    • Quiz

Reviews from The Summit

Average Rating

4.7/5.0The activity provided opportunities to develop skill and/or awareness.

4.5/5.0The learning materials used were effective and complimented the goals of the activity.

4.6/5.0This activity will contribute to my professional growth.

4.9/5.0The instructor interacted with the participants in a professional manner.

  • Summit Attendee

    I really appreciate being able to learn directly from Deaf professionals in these specialized workshops. Their insight brings a level of understanding that is hard to find anywhere else. The perspectives they share are truly needed in our field and both presenters did an outstanding job.

  • Summit Attendee

    This workshop helped me realize that I have interpreted in more mental health settings than I ever thought before. It also acknowledged how challenging this type of work can be while giving practical guidance on how to handle those situations. I came away feeling encouraged and reminded that there is always room to grow and learn more.

  • Summit Attendee

    I really enjoyed both presenters. They clearly knew the material well and explained it in a way that made everything easy to follow and apply. It was a very engaging and informative session overall.

Meet Your Presenter

Ph.D.

Tiffany Bridgett

Tiffany Bridgett, M.A. identifies herself as d/Deaf and a fluent ASL signer. She is currently an advanced student in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program at Gallaudet University. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology (2014) with magna cum laude in Psychology and Pre-Med with a minor in Criminal Justice. Ms. Bridgett has been trained at University of Michigan- Psychology Department, University of Rochester- Deaf Wellness Center, Gallaudet University- Counseling and Psychological Services, D.C. Courts- the Child Guidance Court, San Diego Community Services- Behavioral Health Department, Multicultural Clinical Center in Virginia, Psychiatric Washington Institute in Washington, D.C., Veterans Affairs Health System, and the nationwide Crisis Text Line. For the past two years, she has been working as a clinical consultant for the Deaf Services at Barrier Free Living, an agency that serves domestic violence survivors with disabilities. For her dissertation, she is doing research on identifying how to best administer assessment measures in standardized ASL and how to best measure language-based reasoning in deaf children who speak ASL. In short, Ms. Bridgett is interested in improving mental health services for the deaf population, including interpreting services for signing professionals and clients. She wants to be able to make services more accessible, culturally acceptable, and clinically appropriate. Above all, she strives to reduce misdiagnoses among deaf people and eradicate the stigma of mental illnesses in the Deaf community.
TerpAcademy is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.3 CEU's at the ‘Little/None’ Content Knowledge Level. TerpAcademy promotes an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or any other protected class.