The Invisible Client: Ramifications of Neglecting the Impact of Race and Culture in Professional Counseling

Overlooking critical aspects of a client such as race, culture, and perception of societal treatment is harmful and emotionally devastating to clients of color (Butler & Shillingford-Butler, 2014). For Black clients specifically, this type of treatment can lead to feelings of invisibility and isolation, resulting in what Ellison (1947/1990) defined as “The Invisible Man.” This article examines this idea of invisibility in the Black client and proposes suggestions and framework for counselors working with this population.