When a social worker and client are NOT from the same ethnic or racial group, it is essential that the social worker:

A social worker’s self-awareness about his or her own attitudes, values, and beliefs concerning cultural differences and a willingness to acknowledge racial/cultural differences are critical factors in working with diverse populations. Supervision and consultation are important, but a client is the expert of his or her experiences. There are more intragroup differences than intergroup ones, so no customs or beliefs are universal. Asking a client if this is a problem from the onset may make a client feel that a social worker cannot assist or will not understand his or her problems because of the ethnic or racial differences.