Although international students studying in the United States are identified as a high risk group under considerable stress, counseling services which meet their special needs are few and generally ineffective. American counselors have not been trained to provide effective support to clients whose cultural values differ from their own, and often their efforts have been counterproductive. As a result, the use of counseling services by international students has been minimal. Instead, these students turn to other internationals for help in solving their personal problems, a situation which hinders the students' adaptation to the host culture and the development of their own independence. However, while cross-cultural counseling is difficult, it is not impossible. Research has shown that effective cross-cultural counseling can occur if counselors emphasize the total personhood of the client in terms of the client's culture rather than their own. Empathy, congruence, positive regard, and openness of communication between counselor and client are also essential to effective counseling. To achieve this, counselor training should include courses and practical experience in cross-cultural counseling. (FL)