| Reports on the plight of urban areas constantly project | | | | counseling urban clients begin with the client's view of |
| poverty, single females as heads of households, teen | | | | counseling; then the counselors view of the client. |
| pregnancy, gangs, illiteracy, domestic violence, and | | | | The Clients View of Counseling: Inner city dwellers |
| unemployment. What the media often neglects to | | | | often view counseling as strictly talk therapy. Due to |
| address is how inner city dwellers effectively cope | | | | their living conditions and the magnitude of the |
| with the difficulties and a multitude of other life issues. | | | | problems they face daily, talk therapy appears to be |
| For too long, counseling in urban areas has focused on | | | | an unaffordable luxury to the people. Many, however, |
| deficits and pathology. | | | | have experienced the value of catharsis through |
| In addition to their conditions, urban dwellers have had | | | | friends and family members. Invariably when clients are |
| to be strong to survive the stereotypical labeling, | | | | asked, what have you done about the problem? Many |
| prejudice, and discrimination shown toward them. As | | | | reveal that they turn to people they know their |
| Christian counselors and mental health providers who | | | | network or core group of supporters. |
| desire to Impact change in urban areas, our approach | | | | Although this relief is therapeutic, it is not therapy in the |
| must reflect not only our cultural diversity training but a | | | | traditional sense of the word. Counseling is often |
| sensitivity and unconditional love toward Gods people | | | | viewed as years of weekly sessions. Urban dwellers |
| which focuses on client strengths, spirituality, and old | | | | do not have time to trace the roots of their perceive |
| resources. | | | | dysfunctions. Therefore, counseling expectations are |
| Urban dwellers are a very diverse group of people | | | | for immediate results and concrete tangible forms of |
| with varying views of the helping profession. Some | | | | treatment. Literature which addresses the need to |
| see counseling as just for crazy people or those who | | | | develop culturally sensitive and appropriate service for |
| are psychotic, neurotic, and schizophrenic. Others have | | | | minority clients would concur that the clients relate best |
| embraced the concept of intervention for daily life | | | | to therapeutic interventions that are direct, active, and |
| issues. The unique challenges and barriers to | | | | structured. |