Psychosocial

Question 1

Define the psychological defense-

Repression

Answer 1

Feelings/perceptions/memories are lost to consciousness

Question 2

Define the psychological defense-

Denial

Answer 2

Reality of a situation/perception is not consciously experienced or recognized

Question 3

Define the psychological defense-

Intellectualization

Answer 3

Emotional responses to a situation are repressed and the situation is addressed through rational, cognitive processes

Question 4

Define the psychological defense-

Displacement

Answer 4

In which the expression of an emotion to the appropriate recipient is unacceptable/anxiety provoking and the emotion is thus expressed to a more socially acceptable recipient

Question 5

Define the psychological defense-

Sublimation

Answer 5

Wishes/drives that are deemed unacceptable are channeled into more socially acceptable activities

Question 6

Define the psychological defense-

Reaction Formation

Answer 6

Individual utilizes the opposite action/emotion to ward off unacceptable emotions/wishes

Question 7

Define the psychological defense-

Projection

Answer 7

Repressed/unacceptable emotions/wishes are perceived as residing in others

Question 8

Define the psychological defense-

Projective Identification

Answer 8

Individuals behavior induced a repressed/unacceptable emotion in another person

Question 9

A patient is angry at their partner for passing on a dominant allele to their child, but outwardly expresses anger to the genetic counselor giving the news instead of their partner.
This is an example of what psychological defense?

Answer 9

Displacement

Question 10

The pain and anger the mother of your patient feels about their serious disability channels those feelings into committed, thoughtful work for a support group.
This is an example of which kind of psychological defense?

Answer 10

Sublimation

Question 11

Your patient is compliant and agreeable with you after their devastating diagnosis even though they’re feeling angry.
This is an example of which kind of psychological defense?

Answer 11

Reaction formation

Question 12

The pregnant woman you are counseling is feeling deep and unacceptable shame but perceives that it is her partner who is ashamed.
This is an example of which psychological defense?

Answer 12

Projection

Question 13

A parent of your patient with a disability is angry about their diagnosis, however they were taught as a child to repress their anger due to their parents’ reaction to it, so they act towards you (the genetic counselor) in a way designed to make you feel angry.
This is an example of which kind of psychological defense?

Answer 13

Projective Identification

Question 14

What would you do FIRST (what is MOST important to say) when you have:
Cultural/language differences

Answer 14

Reciprocity (share a bit about yourself)

Interpreter must be available in person or over the phone or else you reschedule

Question 15

What would you do FIRST (what is MOST important to say) when:
They have an extreme reaction

Answer 15

Inquire about the emotional reaction- “tell me more”

Question 16

What do you do FIRST (what is MOST important to say) when:

They don’t understand the diagnosis

Answer 16

Ask what they have been told about it (in their own words)

Question 17

What is the FIRST thing you do (what is MOST important to say) when:
They say “I did everything right”

Answer 17

Validate and reflect

Question 18

What do you do FIRST (what is MOST important to say) when:

They say “the baby has a heart defect because I am stressed”

Answer 18

Reflect- this is more likely to be guilt than shame

Question 19

What do you do FIRST (what is MOST important to say) when:

They can’t play sports because of a condition

Answer 19

Ask what they like most about the sport (what part is most valuable to them) and try to explore other options for finding that value elsewhere

Question 20

What is a needs assessment?

Answer 20

Needs assessments help to identify gaps in knowledge (what is knows vs what is unknown) that would otherwise be filled by assumptions of why things aren’t going correctly
Focus groups/interviews are great tools to conduct a needs assessment

Question 21

Define psychosocial attending.

Answer 21

Seeing experiences through the eyes of the client rather than your own
Being sensitive to the client’s perspective
Processing client messages

Question 22

What does the acronym ENCOURAGES stand for?

Answer 22

Eye contact
Nods
Cultural awareness
Open posture
“Um hmm”
Relaxed
Avoids distractions
Grammatical style matches client
Ear to the client (figuratively, psychological attending)
Space is used appropriately as pauses in discussion

Question 23

Describe the transference reaction:

Counselor as an ideal

Answer 23

Client views the counselor as perfect

Behaviors: excessive compliments, agreeing with everything said

Question 24

Describe the transference reaction:

Counselor as seer

Answer 24

Client believes the counselor has all the right answers

Behaviors: repeatedly asking what the counselor would do

Question 25

Describe the following transference strategy:

Counselor as nurturer

Answer 25

Client views the counselor as a source of strength

Behaviors: acting helpless, excessive crying, urgent demands

Question 26

Describe the following transference reaction;

Counselor as frustrator

Answer 26

Client views the counselor as spoiling their experience

Behaviors: excessively defensive, blaming the counselor

Question 27

Describe the following transference reaction:

Counselor as nonentity

Answer 27

Client views the counselor as an inanimate figure with no feelings, wishes, or needs
Behaviors: topic shifting, dismissing counselor’s interpretation

Question 28

Describe the psychological defense:

Magical Thinking

Answer 28

Belief that something will intervene and all will turn out alright