Although many social indicators suggest that problems exist among the American Indian population for which counseling and mental health services should be provided, there are relatively few American Indian counselors in the conventional mental health system or in schools; therefore, the training of non-Indian counselors who work among American Indians must be improved. Current literature suggests that counselors working with Indians should be culturally sensitive, should have an awareness of Indian culture, and should be able to interpret specific behaviors in terms of possible cultural meaningfulness. A major implication of current literature is that there is a lack of communication and mutual understanding between counselors and Indian students. Results of a study comparing communication styles (Dauphinais, Dauphinais, and Rowe) indicate that the facilitative style, which is most commonly taught in counselor and therapist training, is seen as least effective by Indian students. Preliminary results of another study in which the authors are involved indicate that 15 out of 25 Indian students perceive the cultural-experimental style as being more helpful. Thus, efforts to specify counseling practices which Indian people find helpful should be intensified in training non-Indian counselors. (CM)