The Importance Of Multicultural Counseling

Cross-cultural counseling has become a major force in the profession significantly impacting theory and practice. As the 21st century continues to progress, it is increasingly evident that counselors must become ever more competent with respect to issues of multiculturalism and diversity. As our society continues to diversify, many client or training counselors seeking to develop a cultural identity based up these multiple dimensions are often faced with difficulties in this process. Innumerable immigrants to the US often confront challenges with the process of adapting to the cultural traits or social patterns of another group. And counselors who claim to be culturally competent must group his or her practice with a solid understanding of the history and social movement which shape it. This

Language differences may be perhaps the most important stumbling block to effective multicultural counseling and assessment (Romero, 1985). Language barriers also impede the counseling process. The complexity of the client thoughts and feelings or resist discussing effectively charged issues, and counselors, may become frustrated by their lack of bilingual ability, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment (Romero, 1985). However, steps that can be taken to ensure that counseling a client is both culturally competent and ethical is that counselors obtain proper trainings. Cultural competence requires that people at all levels learn to value diversity. For cultural competence training just as it would for other forms of continuing education. A culture of learning, where self-assessment and staff development are regular program activities, lends itself to cultural competence (SAMHSA,