ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that counsellors need to understand that mainstream individual and group counselling processes often conflict with American Indians' values and perspectives for example, cooperation, harmony, generosity, sharing, living in the present, ancient legends and cultural traditions, peace, and politeness. Prior to counselling American Indian children in family situations, the counsellor needs to understand American Indian children and families. During the first session, it is important that counsellors work diligently to accommodate the American Indian time orientation and fatalistic view of life. In counselling American Indian adolescents, as in counselling other adolescents, cultural perceptions play a large part in shaping counselling goals and intervention techniques. Counselling American Indian adults requires techniques that are carefully planned to accommodate these clients' cultural characteristics. Although some counselling strategies are effective for all cultures, the following strategies have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of counselling sessions with American Indians: Counsellors should give special attention to their manner of speaking.
