Integrating counseling delivery mechanisms in diverse populations across the life-span

Multicultural characteristics and pluralistic trends must be understood by counselors when working among diverse clients. Components like age, disability religion, gender, sexuality, lifestyle, ethnicity, historical contexts and culture comprise elements of diversity that should be considered by counselors at the intake.  

At the very first contact the counselor should be mindful of beliefs and attitudes, the knowledge and skills that would be operative in therapy. Stereotyping can be a big barrier in the therapeutic relationship. This happens if the counselor ignores the specifics of a client, and fails to pick up verbal and non-verbal cues that give insight into the client's perception of themselves and their surrounding environment. A counselor should acknowledge these influences and respond respectfully in order to minimize misunderstanding and misinterpreting clients.

In working with diverse clients counselors have to acknowledge their own basic tendencies, comprehension and competencies. It is essential that a counselor understands his or her world view before setting about understanding and assisting other people. This includes an awareness of personal philosophies, capabilities, structures of reasoning and helping style. If this is not understood and integrated, effective therapy might not occur, and could lead to transference, countertransference and resistance reactions.

Professional, legal and ethical norms, that bind a counselor might not be understood by those from diverse backgrounds and will need to be explained to them. In setting boundaries general, professional, and personal issues need to be considered by both the counselor and the client. The identification of these issues and their influences needs to be acknowledged and brought into the counseling sessions. It will enable better therapy.

A mental attitude that allows a counselor to be open to a client who is different is important, not just a superficial acknowledgement of the various elements that comprise the facets of a clients personality. The counselor should understand and eliminate biases, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination. Adherence to specific counseling theories or methods, ways of practicing, particular ways of understanding and intervention, may limit the success of counseling diverse client. A counselor should not feel ashamed to refer a client if the presenting problem is out of that counselor’s scope of practice.

The increasing diversity in society offers special challenges in assessment of diverse client. One of the most important barriers while working with diverse clients is language. Counselors cannot adopt their clients' ethnicity or cultural heritage, but they can have more sensitive culturally supported behaviors as they work towards promoting optimal wellness and growth of their clients. This includes all aspects of mental health including prevention, intervention, consultation, education, and advocacy.

            The most essential requirement of a counselor in working with diverse clients is how present the counselor is to the client. It might sometimes be necessary to set aside all theories, learning and education and let the client educate the counselor. There is an integrative growth process involved, as both learn and grow, not just the client.