Current thinking in mental health has begun to incorporate the centrality of culture in organizing people's lives, relational patterns, and meaning systems. However, not much is understood regarding the impact of living in two or more cultures due to immigration. This paper addresses the losses, trauma, and adjustment difficulties suffered by people who leave behind significant frames of reference and relational contexts that sustain their identifications. Attempts are made to provide a relational frame for understanding people's dilemmas within the therapeutic context. It is hoped this will help to expand providers' frame of reference when servicing immigrants and their families. © 1999 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Diversity Acculturation Multiculturality Dominant-non-dominant groups Relationship behavior

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