Because it is a ?uid, value laden, and con?icted process for many people, directly asking about ethnocultural orientation is not generally advisable. There are many formal instruments to measure acculturation ; and should this issue be central, it can be gradually addressed directly.

However, in the initial interview, it is best to simply explore how strong the connections to the various cultures are and what emotions are attached to those connections.

Multicultural and Diversity Issues 391An informal assessment of ethnocultural orientation can be obtained by listening as information emerges during the session or by asking for speci?c information. For example: Listen for the sense of connection to the culture historically. Ask: “Did you grow up on the reservation ?” or “I know everyone’s different, so I’m wondering for you personally, do you feel much connection with your culture?” Listen for the relationship between the client and other members of the culture.

Does the client go to cultural events? Are original cultural practices a regular part of life? Does he or she speak the original language? Ask: “What kinds of things do you celebrate?” or “Do you attend very often?” and “What language do you prefer to speak at home? with friends? at work?” Listen for methods or style of coping with environmental demands Ask: “Is there anything about your work that challenges you? How do you handle the challenges?” Listen for how the person envisions life in the future. Will he or she play a role in traditional cultural ceremonies or practices? Will he or she seek a bicultural stance in life? Ask: “What things about your culture do you appreciate or not appreciate? What things about the Western culture do you appreciate, or not appreciate? How would you like your life to be in the future in terms of your culture?” The client’s cultural orientation to the past, present, and future can be very informative with regard to engagement with the dominant culture . The more culturally oriented and embedded the client is, the more important it is for the professional to seek appropriate cultural input and education to be of assistance in a culturally sensitive manner.

For the most part, you may ?nd relief in the fact that couples probably have a more dif?cult time answering your questions about their sex life than you have asking, which makes your comfort with this aspect of couple functioning all the more important. In the ?rst interview, you may or may not get a chance to ask about sex, and in addition, when you do ask, you may get a quick “Oh, ?ne. We’re ?ne in that area.” Later, after more trust has been established, very different answers to questions about sexual functioning may surface. What matters is that you ask about sexual functioning, compatibility, and satisfaction in a natural, caring way.

Money

Although easier to ask about than sex, money is often a dif?cult issue for couples. Questions about money practices include who pays the bills, whether checking accounts are joint or separate, if there is agreement with regard to saving and spending, and so on.

By evaluating how couples manage money in their relationship, interviewers may also glimpse how power is managed in the relationship.

Level of Relationship Commitment

Only a minority of couples enter counseling because they simply want to improve their relationship. They arrive excited and interested to explore ways to increase their relationship satisfaction, and are fully committed to continuing the relationship. Other couples come to counseling to repair or work on certain troublesome areas in their relationship but have not seriously considered ending the relationship. They are committed, but are experiencing signi?cant distress. Still other couples come to counseling with a marked imbalance in their commitment, with one deeply questioning whether to stay in the relationship and the other desperately committed to keeping things together.