Further complicating the ?rst visit is the fact that such a visit and the problems that made the visit necessary might be experienced as shameful. The client may not be forthcoming but may, instead, minimize problem areas or attempt to describe them in vague, impersonal ways.
Asian families living in the United States are almost all in some phase of acculturation. The children often become bilingual, therefore assuming a power in the family that upsets traditional roles. Further, some families have members living in the home country and some members living here, which adds more relational and role strain .
Orientation toward Authority
Many Asian cultures are rigid and hierarchical in structure . This is directly related to a concept called ?lial piety, which refers to the honor, reverence, obedience, and loyalty owed to those who are hierarchically above you . The deference toward authority manifests in a number of ways. Asian American clients expect a counselor to be an expert and to act with authority.
In the same vein, verbal communication with a mental health professional may not be direct and certainly is not confrontive. It is likely that an Asian American client, when faced with uncertainty, simply offers the most polite, af?rmative response available. Among Asians, as among many American Indian tribes, silence is a sign of respect. Also similar is the pattern of eye contact. Direct eye contact is invasive and disrespectful, especially when interacting with persons of higher status or authority .
Even during a ?rst interview, many Asian American people expect concrete and tangible advice. This runs contrary to most training models for beginning interviewers; therefore, you need to practice how to give quick advice. This practice is necessary, too, Multicultural and Diversity Issues 385because the advice being offered will likely be coming from a non
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