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Telehealth-Based Therapy Connecting Rural Mandarin-Speaking Traumatized Clients With a Mandarin-Speaking Therapist

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Clinical Case Studies

Published online on

Abstract

Although empirically supported treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have been available for some time, many Mandarin-speaking Chinese immigrants who seek treatment do not receive such services due to living in rural areas. Fortunately, advances in videoconferencing-based technologies are improving rural trauma survivors’ access to remote specialty clinics. Presently, little is known about feasibility and efficacy of psychotherapy provided through distance technologies for clients unable to access local services in their native languages. The present two case studies attempt to partially address this void by providing an account of treatment implemented via videoconferencing with two Mandarin-speaking women from a small Wyoming town. Not only was therapy effective in reducing the severity of PTSD and depressive symptoms for both clients, but treatment gains were also maintained for 4 months following therapy. Connecting and effectively treating two Mandarin-speaking clients using telehealth compellingly demonstrated innovations to expand services and tailor treatments.