Maria, a counseling student coming into supervision discussing her struggles with a client she has seen for 10 sessions. HerclientMax, has just told Maria that he istransgender. Maria wants to refer Max to another counselor who has more experience withtransgenderclients. Maria appears to be having a values conflict with Max'stransgenderidentity and has insinuated that Max'stransgenderidentity makes her uncomfortable.

1. As Maria's supervisor, what would you suggest she do?
2. What are some of the ethical issues in this case? As the counselor, whatwouldyou do?
3. Cultural competence is a life-long skill developed over our life spans. Detail specific steps a person can take in their own life to become more culturally competent. Detail a plan for improving your cultural competence. Be thorough and detailed in your answer.

Video transcript:

Supervisor - Yeah, how are you doing today? Another week of supervise-free session, and how's your week been going?

Maria - It's been quite a difficult week, I would say. As you may recall, I've been meeting with a client named Max. And so far, we've had a strong counseling relationship, but I just found out that Max is transgender. And I just don't think that I'm someone who can really help Max. I don't understand what Max is struggling with, I don't know what her issues are, his issues. He just asked me to start calling her him and so I just don't think I'm fit to really help Max. And one of the questions that I had for you was: whether you know of other counselors who I can refer Max to and who specialize in working with transgender clients, because that's not something that I'm comfortable with.

Supervisor - So how many sessions have you had with Max so far?

Maria - So far, I've had about ten sessions with Max.

Supervisor - And how do you think Max will feel about you not wanting to work with him?

Maria - I'm honestly not sure how Max will feel, but the truth is that I feel like I can't help Max. And so, by continuing to work with him, it's going to be doing him a disservice, and I think it would be best to refer Max to someone else who actually specializes with working with transgender clients, or who has experience working with transgender clients, because it's not something that I can do.