presuppositions: the counsellor knows nothing about me, cannot understand my true
problems so I cannot expect too much understanding; the counsellor is waiting for me to
speak about my problems, and will find a solution.
Counsellors will try to provide favourable conditions for efficient communication with
their clients. They will therefore explain directly what counselling means, what the
expected results are, and clarify the “rules of the game” ... clients must arrive from
suspicion to confidence ... and to the expectation of tangible results in their daily life
(Batumubwira, apud Launikari and Puukari, 2005).
Members of a minority must be helped in their integration process by initial association
with co-nationals, but later they must be encouraged gradually to have intercultural
contacts with the members of the majority culture, so as not to deepen discrepancies
between the minority community and the majority society.
In order to gain and maintain trust on the part of refractory clients it is essential to follow
the ethical principles of counselling. Counsellors must treat very carefully any situation
that might create difficulties to clients on the part of the state institutions.
The choice of counselling methods in multicultural contexts is made function of the
context, the clients’ needs, and their personality profile.
After becoming aware of their own culture, an important stage for counsellors is to
understand clients’ lives by listening to their ideas and attitudes on life, wishes and hopes
for the future, desirable modes of action in view of fulfilling personal aspirations, etc.
Johansson three stage intervention model (applicable in immigrant counselling):
familiarization, my life, and planning the future (apud Launikari and Puukari, 2005).
The model involves a succession of exercises that can be adapted to the group specificity.
At first the optimal means of expression is identified and used: either speaking, writing,
drawing, etc. In certain cases it is recommended to offer clients the possibility of
producing the materials in their native language, which might require the presence of a
translator.
- Familiarization
The purpose of these exercises is to give participants the opportunity to recount
significant aspects on their native country, and create a relaxed atmosphere, of trust.
Sufficient time is given for group members to become acquainted. The exercises must
motivate the participants to get integrated and help them concentrate on the main
objectives of the group.
1.1. World map: the counsellor outlines an (imaginary) world map on the floor
and participants stand on their place of origin (where they were born). They each
introduce each other in turn, saying their names and recalling several aspects they
are proud of, linked to their birthplace (nature, climate, food, culture, etc.).