nselors should not initiate small talk if they are uncertain what type of small talk is appropriate.
People from minority groups have had limited experiences with counselors. The counselor working within this context should define his role to clients. He should explain what, how and why he intends to do what he is going to do. It is important for the counselor to explain what he expects from the client. Failure of clear communication can result in misunderstandings.
Transference is common in the counseling process and becomes complicated in a majority-minority situation. Clients expect counselors to be supportive or punishing. Minority group members usually anticipate punishing or controlling behavior to be exhibited by the counselor. The reasons behind this may be due to experiences with people who remind them of the counselor and social conditioning has taught them to react to majority group members with suspicion.
The counselor must be able to understand the culture and language of the minority group member in order to help him solve his problems. Non-verbal language plays an important role in the communication process. People of Spanish heritage need bilingual counselors to help them adjust. Certain slang expressions and idioms are characteristic of the minority sub-culture and may make communication extremely difficult if the counselor fails to understand them. When counselors do not understand their clients they should ask them to clarify the statement before confusion disrupts the process.
Self-disclosure which is basic to the counseling process, is the means by which individuals make themselves known to other people. Many blacks have a difficult time self-disclosing because they do not perceive white as being interested in promoted their well-being. Black clients may also fear the counselor who has the ability to understand him because that would make him even more vulnerable in a racist society.