What was probably one of the greatest changes in the field during the 1980s and 1990s?

• A. Reduced Focus on Multicultural Counseling
• B. Increased Focus on Multicultural Counseling
• C. Elimination of Ethics Issues
• D. Decreased Emphasis on Research

Answer: (B)

During the 1980s and 1990s, counselors increasingly recognized that clients’ identities and cultural backgrounds shape what brings them to therapy and how treatment should be delivered. This sparked a broad shift toward multicultural counseling, integrating cultural awareness, responsive assessment, and adaptable therapeutic approaches into training, supervision, and practice. The field formalized this emphasis through the development of multicultural counseling competencies and ethics guidance that highlight cultural responsiveness and social justice, all in response to shifting demographics and the demand for equitable mental health care. Because of this sustained focus, a major transformation occurred in how counseling is taught and practiced—making increased attention to multicultural issues the defining change of that era.