Constructivist approaches

Question 1

What are some basic key points of constructivist approaches

Answer 1

Counselors have some expertise on knowledge but they maintain the view that the client is the expert on their own experiences
The therapeutic process is about co-creating meaning
The therapist looks for strengths and resources within the clients
Therapy focuses on a better future for the client

Question 2

What is at the core of narrative therapy

Answer 2

Narrative therapy teaches the client to externalize their problems

Question 3

Narrative therapy stages

Answer 3

Externalizing conversations
Mapping the influence 
Unique outcome questions 
Unique possibilities 
Restorying

Question 4

Externalizing conversations

Answer 4

The goal is to extract the problem as a separate entity and to come together to solve it.

Question 5

Mapping the influence

Answer 5

Exploring how individuals perceive the effects of the problem. Keeping in mind that it is not one person’s but everyone’s

Question 6

Unique outcome questions

Answer 6

Focusing on the times that the client was able to ignore or defeat the problem

Question 7

Unique possibilities

Answer 7

Asking the client to think what life would look like without the problem. This helps focus on the future and gives the client to suggest possible solutions

Question 8

Restorying

Answer 8

The client is encouraged to use their own language to describe their new experience apart from the problem with the use of questions

Question 9

common beliefs of feminist therapy

Answer 9

• understanding the problem by analyzing the political and contextual roots
• women attach different meaning to issues such as power, freedom, independence, and choice
• some pathological traits such as dependency, passivity, and compliancy are usually associated with women
• litening and nurturing have been traditionally undervalued

Question 10

what are some of the issues that people of color encounter in most societies

Answer 10

• intimate partner violence
• sexual exploitation
• well-being of sexual and gender identity minorities
• health issues among women and marginalized groups
• psychological perspectives on older women who have been traditionally ignored
• disordered eating as it relates to specific ethnicities
• methodological and statistical issues as it relates to samples
• mental health of low income women, women with disabilities, immigrant women, migrant workers

Question 11

feminist therapy commonalities

Answer 11

1. evaluate cultural context in which the client is present
2. oppression is harmful
3. collaborative relationship rather than power differential
4. strengths are highlighted and problems reframed. staying away from diagnostic labels
5. diverse perspectives honored
6. social action as ultimate aim; though not imposed on client

Question 12

power analysis

Answer 12

analysis of how power differential experiences have negatively impacted the client

Question 13

gender role analysis

Answer 13

exploring the impact that gender role stereotypes have on the clinet’s life

Question 14

reframing

Answer 14

alternative way to explain issue by highlighitng client’s strengths and evaluating it under a positive light

Question 15

therapist self-disclosure

Answer 15

if beneficial, sharing personal experince to normalize the client’s feelings

Question 16

social action

Answer 16

taking action to make one’s life or others’ better is empowering

Question 17

what is the goal of relational cultural therapy (RCT)

Answer 17

to reduce individual isolation and to increase connections by fostering growth-fostering relationships and mutual empathy

Question 18

what are five positive outcomes from growth fostering relationships

Answer 18

1- a desire to move into more relationships because the first are satisfying
2- a sense of zest and energy
3- increased knowledge of self and others in the relationships
4- a desire to take action within and without the growth fostering relationship
5- increase in self-worth

Question 19

central relational paradox (CRP)

Answer 19

we have a natural drive toward relationships and we long for acceptance. However, we believe we have qualities we see as unacceptable and we hide them, making our relationships unfulfilling

Question 20

premises of solution-focused theory

Answer 20

a-if something is not broken do not fix it
b-if it works, do more of it
c-if it does not work, do something else

Question 21

implicit theoretical assumptions of solution-focused therapy

Answer 21

1. human beings are able to resolve their own difficulties
2. focusing on what Is working and is rigth
3. only focused on the present
4. clients receive reality as constructed
5. continues to address limited and concrete goals
6. change is inevitable and continuous, therefore the focus is small incremental steps
7. small changes in behavior impact the whole system