Counseling Process & Theories

Question 1

What are the stages of change and how do they affect the counseling process?

Answer 1

Precontemplation

Contemplation

Preparation

Action

Maintenance

Question 2

What is empathy?

Answer 2

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Question 3

What does it mean to be theoretically eclectic?

Answer 3

bits and pieces from different theoretical systems can be integrated within one counseling session with a client, to provide a stronger therapeutic treatment

Question 4

What is the importance of nonverbals in counseling?

Answer 4

60-65% of communication is nonverbal

Emotions and attitudes are primarily conveyed nonverbally

Provides a deeper level of communication

Builds a bond (working alliance)

Conveys empathic & attentiveness

Question 5

What constitutes good counselor posture?

S O L E R

Answer 5

Sit squarely

Open posture

Lean towards the client

Eye contact

Relax

Question 6

What is informed consent?

Answer 6

Session 1

Must be discussed

Outlines

• Limitations
• Procedures
• Risks and benefits
• Confidentiality
• Boundaries of Competence
• Goals
• Fees & Billing

Question 7

What’s the difference between counseling and psychotherapy?

Answer 7

Counseling vs Psychotherapy

• preventative
• empowers client not to need therapy (developmental framework)
• shorter in length
• requires less education
• focuses generally on the here and now
• often specialized

Question 8

What are the counselor core conditions?
3 - Carl Rogers

Why are they important?

Answer 8

Displays acceptance of the client, valuing them as a human being of worth

1. Empathy
   - walking in their shoes (not sympathy)
2. Congruence
   - be genuine and real
3. Unconditional positive regard

Question 9

CACREP Core Standards - 8

Answer 9

1 - Human growth and development
2 - Social and cultural foundations
3 - The helping relationship 
4 - Group work
5 - Career in lifestyle development
6 - Appraisal
7 - Research and program evaluation
8 - Professional orientation

Question 10

6 Fundamental values of the ethical code

Answer 10

Autonomy
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Justice
Fidelity
Veracity - truth

Question 11

Two types of ethics

Answer 11

1. Mandatory

2. Aspirational

Question 12

Define Active Listening

Answer 12

Listener fully concentrates, understands, responds and then remembers what is being said

Question 13

Define Reflection of Feelings and Content

Answer 13

Responding to clarify that you have understood the speaker (clt).

Question 14

What is a Open-ended question (words used)

Answer 14

Typically use words such as why and how

Doesn’t seek yes or no answers…

Question 15

Confrontation is Challenging - Define

Answer 15

An attempt by the counsellor to gently bring about awareness in the client of something that may they may have overlooked or avoided

Question 16

What are the roles and responsibilities of counselors?

Answer 16

• Guidance (not advise)
• Use scientific or empirical techniques OR label other wise
• Accurate advertising (credentials)
• Practice within Competence (or refer)
• Confidentiality
• Positive regard
• Do no harm
• Assessment
• Define goals
• Explain limitations & Set boundaries

Question 17

Define privilege

Answer 17

Privacy of counselor and client medications

• Belongs the client
• Varies by state

Question 18

What is the difference between theory and technique?

Answer 18

Theory - framework or lenses used to describe/understand people’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors

Techniques - are proven or experimental strategies based in theory

Question 19

When do you break confidentiality?

Answer 19

1. Client consent or request

2. Court order & Subpoena are received

Question 20

Describe Psychodynamic theory

Answer 20

Freud
- focus on conscious and unconscious thought influence peoples personalities stemming from their past.

Adler
- Birth order and early recollections

Jung
- Ego/self-therapy

The conflict between drives (id ego super-ego) causes stress.

Question 21

Described Humanistic theory

Answer 21

Rogers
- Person centered (nonjudgmental)

Frankel
- Existential (meaning of life)

Fitz Perals
- Gestalt (a person is both the sum of parts and much more than the parts: “ie. stew is better then its ingredients)

Question 22

Describe Cognitive theory

Answer 22

Piaget
- 4 stages
Sensorimotor
Preoperational
Concrete operational
Formal operations

Beck
Thoughts -> Affect -> Behavior (CBT)

Schemas

Focuses the present & changing cognitive distortions

Question 23

Describe Behavioral theory

Answer 23

Albert Ellis

• REBT (father of CBT)
• reframe irrational beliefs
• musterbation

Positive or negative rewards influence behaviors

Question 24

Describe Systems theory

Answer 24

Views an individual or group as its own ecosystem with many moving parts that affect each other

Question 25

List postmodern theories

Answer 25

Focuses on deconstructing common beliefs and examining their value in an individual’s life

Narrative 
Family Systems (ie genogram) 
Solution Focused
Reality
Feminist - equality 
Constructivist - meaning through personal experience