Political upheaval,cultural assimilation and the origin of counseling needs

At the front lines of counseling services may appear new ethnic groups whose background and view of the world contrast markedly with ours. Where actual disorders or manifestations of maladjustment are evidenced, there probably lies evidence of universal principles, that if recognized by the trans-multicultural counselor, can help the client even in difficult circumstances. In the present case, the dysfunctional behavior pattern that led to referral was understood as a signal of desperation by a confused, frustrated individual with a prior history of social maladjustment. The stress induced by political upheaval, and the uncertainty of Miguel's life situation seem to have triggered the observed maladjustment.Paper presented at the 1985 International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling, Utrecht, The Netherlands.