When students are culturally or racially different from their counselors, guidance and counseling services can be weakened: a counselor's limited cultural awareness will not produce effective interpersonal relationships. Empathic understanding and a good knowledge of a client generally will provide a springboard for good relationship development when the counselor and the client are of different racial backgrounds. This book provides a historical and cultural overview of the black student's world, and illustrates how to use this knowledge to enhance relationships between white counselors and black clients. White counselors can make a difference in black students' lives by helping them develop positive self-images and by creating supportive environments. Specific strategies and techniques are outlined. A holistic approach that recognizes all aspects of students' lives, including the influence of special family ties and the impact of black culture and tradition, should be used. Understanding individual students' goals, needs, and aspirations is paramount to establishing the type of relationship that is necessary to build mutual trust and respect. Suggestions are offered for changing attitudes and behavior that evidence the racial bias that exists to some degree in all white counselors. Appendices present a bibliography, a black history/life reading list, a community resource list, and a holistic process for academic counseling. An index is included. (BJV)