Barriers to Effective Cross-Cultural Counseling

Many mental health professionals have noted that racial and ethnic factors may act as impediments to counseling. Misunderstandings that arise from cultural variations in verbal and nonverbal communication may lead to alienation and/or an inability to develop trust and rapport, An analysis of the generic characteristics of counseling reveals three variables that interact in such a way as to seriously hinder counseling with third-world groups: (a) language variables—use of standard English and verbal communication; (b) class-bound values —strict adherence to time schedules, ambiguity, and seeking long-range solutions; (c) culture-bound values — individual centered, verbal/emotional/behavioral expressiveness, client to counselor communication, openness and intimacy, cause-effect orientation, and mental and physical well-being distinction. These generic characteristics are contrasted with value systems of various ethnic groups. Implications for counseling are explored