THERAPISTS PERCEPTIONS OF MULTICULTURAL ASSESSMENT AND THERAPY WITH IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

This paper explores therapists' perceptions of their assessment and tr eatment of new immigrant families from two very distinct populations: the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Some 145 professionals, approxim ately 70 per cent of those who treat new immigrants in the northern pa rt of Israel, were questioned about various aspects of their assessmen t and treatment process. The differences between therapists and client families regarding the client's similarity to or difference from the majority culture are discussed. Of particular concern is whether thera pists favour personal rather than contextual formulations of client pr oblems. The results indicate that the wider the gap between the cultur al background of the therapist and the immigrant families, the more se nsitive and contextual the therapist's assessment and intervention cho ices.