Why is it important for a counselor to be aware of and familiar with the revised Cross model?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Clinicians must deal with the identity stage in which his or her client is located. The clinician works to help the client develop a healthy African American identity. Lack of client trust may become a factor if the client is in the early stages of Black identity development. The clinician does not pretend that he or she is color blind when it comes to working with the African American client. Instead, the clinician engages the client in an honest discussion about their ethnic/racial differences and the impact that such differences might have on their therapeutic alliance. Clinicians can have a positive impact on an African American’s healthy ethnic identity development by providing them with the support and space to explore and find their own identity as it fits into the broad American society.