Introduction In this essay I will discuss the ways in which intercultural conflicts can arise and ways to overcome these communication barriers. Effective communication between people with the same cultural background is complex and challenging even at the best of times. Trying to understand and have good and effective communication between people from different cultural backgrounds is even more challenging. When counselors interact with clients from different cultural backgrounds, there can often be misunderstandings that occur due to the misinterpretation of a certain cultural norm that is prevalent in one's own culture but is not in others. In doing so, this could lead to a breakdown in communication between the client and the counselor and ultimately affect the outcome of the healing process. So it will be extremely important for the counselor to be aware of these differences and have strategies to address any cross-cultural barriers that may arise. If not done correctly, it will be very difficult for the counselor to build the trusting relationship that is essential for the counseling process to take place. (Geldard and Geldard, Basic Personal Counseling, P355, 2012) Below are some of the major conflicts or misunderstandings that can occur when counseling a client from a different culture than your own: Assumptions of Similarities It is very easy to assume that our cultural paradigm it's "normal". If we meet someone who has a different perspective on how the world works and sees it differently than we do, then we may judge them negatively based on their beliefs. Language Differences We are naturally the most effective communicators when we speak in our native language (Ivey et al., 200...... half of the paper ...... to communicate is to be fully understood. To be congruent with oneself and the use of active listening are some of the most important micro-skills that a counselor should use at this stage make sure not to ask too many questions, as many cultures find this style of counseling to be rude and disrespectful, so a more indirect form of questions Once trust and rapport have been established, it may make sense to invite the client to voice anything in the process that makes them feel uncomfortable (Geldard and Geldard, Basic Personal Counseling, P366, 2012) Works Cited David Geldard and Kathryn Geldard. (2012, ).7th edition) Basic Personal Counseling, a training manual for counselorsOpen Colleges Workbook (2012) Diploma in Counseling: Working Effectively with Culturally Diverse Clients and Colleagues