ABSTRACT
Divisions that follow racial and ethnic lines dictate the shape of the contemporary world. From the global to the local, there is unaffected by the powerful emotions that ethnic difference generates. Different languages identify different experiences, emotions, explanatory frameworks, and codes of conduct. The language spoken inside each member’s head is far more likely to be the mother tongue, the language that she or he was brought up in. There are stereotypes, but of a different construction—gay men are emotionally expressive, for example, or lesbians are spiky and assertive. Issues concerning racial and ethnic difference will form a part of any counselling and psychotherapy training, and the course will hopefully attempt to increase awareness and sensitivity. Gender comes entwined with sexuality. Status, authority, respect, economic power, physical well-being, sexual desire, desirability and performance, are all amongst the factors that present or withhold opportunities according to age.
