LibraryScenariosWhen Your Second Language Becomes Emotional Armor
Scenario

When Your Second Language Becomes Emotional Armor

I'm bilingual but my therapist says I use my second language to avoid feelings and I don't know how to access emotion in English.

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The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Additional languages may serve as unconscious defense mechanisms against accessing difficult emotional material.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Multilingualism and its gifts?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.