ABSTRACT
The purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to basic issues and concepts related to multicultural counseling and to develop awareness and appreciation for the need for culture-specific knowledge in the counseling process. As multicultural awareness and knowledge increase, multicultural counseling skills may grow. Practical experience and ongoing interaction with diverse clients are crucial to the development of multicultural skills. Developing multicultural counseling skills is an ongoing continuing education need for counselors in the 21st century as the population of the United States continues to diversify, especially in terms of ethnicity and age. This chapter includes a review of current multicultural theory, the status of the movement toward multicultural counseling competencies for all counselors, training issues with respect to multicultural counseling, and issues of multiculturalism within the counseling profession.
