About Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Interpreting

The Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Interpreting is a 24-hour course developed by CCHCP to meet the unique needs of interpreting in mental health care. This course is great for anyone who has taken a 40-hour medical interpreter training course and wants to expand their knowledge and skills to interpreting in mental health care.

The course is taught in English and open to bilingual speakers of all languages. Medical interpreting experience is recommended but not required. All participants must have taken the Bridging the Gap 40-hour course, or a different 40-hour interpreting course approved by CCHCP. 

Continuing Education Units

  • Earn 20 Continuing Education (CE) hours from the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). 
  • Earn 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA).

What You Learn

This course begins with a very brief review of the foundational skills that participants learned in the 40-hour Bridging the Gap curriculum. The majority of the course explores the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective interpreter in mental health care. The class is designed to be interactive and includes role plays, case studies, and other activities to foster a collaborative learning environment.

At the end of the course, participants receive a signed and individually numbered certificate of successful completion after passing the final exam with a score of 70% or higher. Participants will also receive a copy of the 24-hour Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Interpreting textbook and a mental health glossary. 

Among the topics you’ll learn are: 

  • Terminology related to mental health
  • Challenges in mental health interpreting
  • Mental health interpreting techniques
  • Impact of culture on mental health
  • Interpreter self-care 
  • Interpreting skills practice

Who Should Apply

Bridging the Gap Certificate Holders

Anyone who has successfully completed a Bridging the Gap or other comparable program, who would like to continue their education in interpreting and sharpen their skills.

Medical Interpreters

For those looking to specialize their skills in the field of mental health. If you’ve been receiving assignments for mental health appointments and would like to feel more comfortable, this is the class for you.

Mental Health Service Providers

If you are working with interpreters in the field of mental health as a dual role interpreter or bilingual staff member then this course will help you gain a deeper understanding of interpretation in this field.

Requirements

  • Applicants must be able to attend all 24 hours of training.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have taken the Bridging the Gap 40-Hour medical interpreter training or another 40-hour medical interpreter training approved by CCHCP.
  • Have a high school diploma, GED certificate, or university/college degree.  This will also count as proof of proficiency in the language spoken at the institution you have a degree from.
  • Have or obtain proof of language proficiency in English and one other language that you will be interpreting in. Please refer to the application form for a list of acceptable documents.
  • Medical interpreting experience recommended but not required.
  • Submit a completed application form. 

If you don’t have proof of language proficiency, you will need to take an over-the-phone language assessment. The assessment is scored on a scale of 1-12 and a 9 or higher is required as admission into this course. The language assessment costs $75. 

If a course applicant becomes unable to attend a course they had registered for, the payment can be held for one calendar year from the start date of the original course they registered for. Once the language proficiency requirements have been met, CCHCP staff will send you an invoice via email after receiving the application.

For questions about course requirements and the application process, please email us at bridgingthegap@xculture.org or call us at 206-860-0329, ext. 1236.

Each of our classes is limited to 15 participants. Apply soon!

Waitlist

There are 15 spots available in each class. When a class becomes full, it will be indicated on the class event below. If you want to be added to the waitlist for a particular class, please submit an application. If a spot becomes available in the class, CCHCP will contact you via email and you will be asked to confirm your attendance and complete the remaining enrollment steps. You will need to communicate with CCHCP staff via email in a timely manner to complete the enrollment process.

Upcoming Classes

24-Hour Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Interpreting – April

Apr 7-14, 2025
9:00 am - 1:00 pm Pacific Time

Online Via Zoom
Monday-Friday April 7-11 & Monday, April 14, 2025
Payment & application deadline: March 10, 2025
Cost: $500

Apply here!

Mental Health Interpreting: Training of Trainers – April

Apr 15, 2025
9:00 am - 1:00 pm Pacific Time

Online via Zoom
Payment & application deadline: March 10, 2025
Contract deadline: March 19, 2025
Cost: $300

*To apply for this course, a candidate must be an authorized trainer for a Bridging the Gap licensed organization

Apply here!

For more information, email us:

bridgingthegap@xculture.org