The Value of a Spanish-Speaking Psychologist in Lethbridge

At Redhouse Psychological Solutions we have Registered Psychologist Zac Rhodenizer who is fluent in Spanish. Having a psychologist who provides therapy in Spanish is both highly valuable and necessary in Lethbridge and surrounding areas, where no such provider currently exists. Here are the reasons why:

1. Spanish Is One of the Most Spoken Non-Official Languages in Canada

According to the 2021 Canadian Census (Statistics Canada), Spanish is the most spoken non-official language in Canada, with approximately 1.17 million people reporting the ability to speak Spanish. This represents over 3% of the Canadian population.

2. Language Barriers Significantly Reduce Access to Mental Health Services

Multiple studies show that language barriers directly reduce access to mental health care. Patients are less likely to seek help, less likely to continue treatment, and less satisfied with care when services are not provided in their native language.

3. Therapy in the Patient’s Native Language Improves Clinical Outcomes

Clinical research consistently demonstrates that therapy provided in a patient’s native language leads to better emotional expression, more accurate diagnosis, improved therapeutic alliance, and higher treatment adherence. In mental health care, interpreters cannot fully replace direct communication.

4. Government of Canada Acknowledges Language-Based Access Gaps

Government of Canada reports recognize that individuals who do not speak English or French face systemic barriers to accessing health services. This results in unmet mental health needs within immigrant and linguistic minority populations.

5. Mental Health Demand Is Increasing Across Canada

Approximately one in five Canadians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime, and demand for psychological services has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant populations experience higher stress related to migration, adaptation,