Counselors and Cross-Culture Clients

One of the first principles of psychotherapy training is that "there must be a fluctuating interplay between doctor and patient" (Fromm-Reichmann, 1950, p. 5). That of course includes the dynamics of (for example) transference and countertransference, but in order for customary clinical processes to get under way, it is first necessary for the client and counselor to make a connection at the human level. Because all psychotherapy clients to some extent "suffer[] from an impairment in self-assurance . . . [and are] insecure and anxious" (Fromm-Reichmann, 1950, p. 13), it is essential that they feel secure in the structure of the counseling setting, and it is the responsibility of the counselor/therapist to make the effort to take care of the client in that regard. Despite the fact

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counseling all the presumptions of Anglo-European intellectual and cultural superiority as well as an assumption that the Anglo-European culture and ethos are the standard against which all intellectual, academic, and psychosocial judgments are appropriately made (e.g., Pederson & Locke, 1996; Yagi, 1998). More generally, McFadden (1996) warns of "negative transference" if clients and counselors miscommunicate because of inappropriate cultural cues and judgments. To the degree counselors are in a position to deal with a client who comes from a cultural, ethnic, or linguistic background different from their own, they are advised to look first to their own house before attempting to regulate the socialization of their clients: The challenge begins by each of us assessing one's own cultural views and acknowledging one's own cultural assumptions. School counselor awareness of cultural differences and understanding of cultural variables are critical in responding to cultural issues that affect the developmental needs of children and youth from culturally diverse backgrounds (Yagi, 1998). This cautionary statement suggests that good intentions may not be sufficient to the counselor's task of productively engaging their clients--whet
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Pederson Locke, , Kern Durodoye, Edgewalkers Krebs's, Wide Web, Multicultural Skills, Latin America, Krebs's Edgewalkers, Rosenfield Nelson, CAPS Statement, 22 october 2002, wide web 22, retrieved world wide, october 2002, world wide, wide web, retrieved world, 22 october, web 22 october, web 22, world wide web, school counselor, counseling student, clearinghouse counseling, multicultural counseling,
Approximate Word count = 2923
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)