13a. Special Topics: COUNSELING

Question 1

Qualities Necessary for Effective Counseling

Answer 1

• Objectivity
• Competence and knowledge
• Honesty and openness
• Flexibility
• Empathy
• Trustworthiness
• Emotional stability
• Ability to motivate clients to take action
• Nonjudgmental attitude
• Ability to be positive yet realistic

Question 2

Approaches to Counseling (5)

Answer 2

• Psychodynamic theory
• Client-centered theory
• Behavioral theory
• Cognitive-behavioral theory
• Eclectic approach

Question 3

Psychodynamic Theory

Answer 3

• Based on psychoanalytic theory, created by Freud
• Behavior as the product of conflictual interaction between the id, ego, and superego; anxiety results when emotions from conflicts are repressed
• 5 psychosexual stages

Question 4

Client-Centered Theory (Carl Rogers)

Answer 4

• Cts need acceptance and positive unconditional regard in order to develop congruence between their self-concept and their behavior
• Foundation: empathetic client-clinician relationship
• “Nondirective listening” leads to ct becoming open to change and then taking action/moving toward goals

Question 5

Behavioral Theory

Answer 5

• Scientists wanted to measure the outcomes of helping approaches, based on quantifiable, objective, observable behaviors
• Clinicians focus on what is observable, with an emphasis on environmental, external influences
• Believe that all behavior is a function of (caused by) current environmental stimuli (incl. states of motivation), past reinforcement contingencies (past learning), and the genetic/neurophysiological variables
• Clinicians focus on specific outcomes of counseling and interaction. Rather than discussing thoughts and feelings clinicians emphasize ct’s identifiable attitudes/behaviors and strive to make positive changes in those variables through operant conditioning
• May be best used subsequent to client-centered approach, so ct can express feelings first before focusing on positive behavioral changes

Question 6

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (Albert Ellis)

Answer 6

• Client’s THOUGHTS: key to his/her feelings or actions
• MEANING a person attributes to an event: key variable
• 3 steps to counseling: 1) change ct’s thinking, 2) change belief system, 3) change behavior
• Explores discrepancies in ct’s thought and reality, and helps ct to adopt a new set of thoughts or cognitions so that he/she can deal with prob in constructive way
• Limitation: how open/honest pt is re: feelings/thoughts

Question 7

Special Issues in Counseling (5)

Answer 7

• Gender (e.g., in some cultural groups, women may not be alone in a room w/ a male therapist)
• Age (e.g., older people from some cultures may not respect a young clinician)
• Culture (e.g., indirectness re: expressions/emotions is the norm in many cultures and ct could be offended if clinician is too frank or pushes them to be too emotive)
• Time (e.g., in some cultures, being late is acceptable/common)
• Religion (e.g., cts from some cultures, believe in alternative methods of healing and counseling cts to take advantage of tx might be unacceptable)

Question 8

Reactions and Emotions Related to Communication Disorders (6)

Answer 8

• Shock and disbelief (esp. upon initial diagnosis)
• Denial
• Anger
• Grief
• Guilt
• Anxiety

Question 9

Common Defense Mechanisms (6)

Answer 9

• Rationalization
• Reaction formation (pts have thoughts/emotions that are shocking to them so they react w/ oppo. emotions)
• Displacement (similar to scapegoating)
• Projection
• Repression (cts keep thoughts/feelings under strict control, out of view of others; below conscious level)
• Suppression (cts keep thoughts/feelings under strict control, out of view of others; consciously aware of thoughts/emotions; sometimes a cultural norm and not a defense mechanism)