ABSTRACT
It is generally agreed upon in the press and elsewhere that American society today is more multiethnic and diverse than at any other time in the recent past (Holcomb-McCoy & Myers, 1999). This change was described by USA Today (1992) with the following headline: “‘Diverse’ Fits Nation Better Than ‘Normal’.” The social structure of the United States is changing because of this increase in diversity, which is likely to entail significant social, cultural, and economic transitions. As a result, professional counselors are continually being called upon to provide services to an increasingly diverse clientele. Effectively meeting this need requires a high level of awareness, flexibility, and sensitivity, and a willingness to extend one’s knowledge and understanding about traditions, beliefs, and values that may be unfamiliar.
