White Counselors’ exposure to Black individuals and their counseling effectiveness with Black clients

• In Event: Advancing Equity and Cultural Responsiveness in Counselor Education and Practice

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between White counselors’ exposure to Black individuals and their counseling effectiveness with Black college clients. The results indicated that White counselors did not significantly vary in producing positive treatment outcomes with Black clients. However, living in environments with a lower percentage of Black people, higher racial diversity, and higher levels of anti-Black racism predicted better treatment outcomes for Black college clients who received counseling from White counselors. Moreover, White counselors did differ in retaining Black clients in treatment, accounting for 6.7% of the variability in counseling dropout.

Authors

• Fanghui Zhao, Seattle University

• Jeffrey A. Hayes, Pennsylvania State University