WEEK 4: Existential Perspective

Question 1

The key concepts of the existential approach can be integrated into most therapeutic approaches.

True
False

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Existential therapists are free to draw from techniques that flow from many other orientations, but they have a set of assumptions and attitudes that guide their interventions with clients.

True
False

Answer 2

True

Question 3

According to Sartre, existential guilt is being aware of having evaded a commitment, or having chosen not to choose for ourselves.

True
False

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Existentialists maintain that our experience of aloneness is a result of our making inappropriate choices.

True
False

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Although existentially-oriented therapists may incorporate many techniques from other models, these interventions are made within the context of striving to understand the subjective world of the client

True
False

Answer 5

True

Question 6

To its credit, existential therapy is compatible with the trend toward evidence-based practice.

True
False

Answer 6

False

Question 7

Part of the human condition is that humans are both free and responsible.

True
False

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Anxiety is best considered as a neurotic manifestation; thus, the principal aim of therapy is to eliminate anxiety.

True
False

Answer 8

False

Question 9

Emmy van Deurzen has made significant contributions to the development of existential therapy in the United Kingdom through her writing and teaching.

True
False

Answer 9

True

Question 10

The existential approach is highly relevant in working in a multicultural context because it does not dictate a particular way of viewing or relating to reality, and because of its broad perspective.

True
False

Answer 10

True

Question 11

__________, developed by Victor Frankl, is designed to help clients find meaning in life.

Aloneness
Freedom
Meaninglessness
Logotherapy

Answer 11

Logotherapy

Question 12

Which is not a key concept of existential therapy?

It stresses personal freedom in deciding one’s fate.
It is based on a personal relationship between client and therapist.
It is based on a well-defined set of techniques and procedures.
It places primary value on self-awareness.

Answer 12

It is based on a well-defined set of techniques and procedures.

Question 13

Existential therapists are primarily concerned with:

understanding the client’s subjective world.
exploring the client’s past history in detail.
developing a specific treatment plan that can be objectively appraised.
challenging the client’s irrational beliefs.

Answer 13

understanding the client’s subjective world.

Question 14

According to the existential view, anxiety is a:

neurotic symptom that needs to be cured.
result of repressed sexuality.
condition of living.
result of faulty learning.

Answer 14

condition of living.

Question 15

Resistance is seen as part of ______________—how a person understands his or her being and relationship to the world at large.

authenticity
the world-at-large concept
the self-and-world construct
social interest

Answer 15

the self-and-world construct

Question 16

What is the most crucial quality of a therapist in building an effective therapeutic relationship with a client?

The therapist’s honesty, integrity, and courage.
The therapist’s knowledge of theory.
The therapist’s ability to diagnose accurately.
The therapist’s skill in using techniques.

Answer 16

The therapist’s honesty, integrity, and courage.

Question 17

During the initial phase of counselling:

1. therapists assist clients in identifying and clarifying their assumptions about the world.
2. the focus is on helping people take what they are learning about themselves and put it into action.
3. the therapeutic hour is a large contribution to a person’s renewed engagement with
   life and the only time a client must rehearse what is learned.
4. clients are assisted in more fully examining the source and authority of their present value system.

Answer 17

the focus is on helping people take what they are learning about themselves and put it into action.

Question 18

Normal anxiety is viewed by existential therapists as:

the result of traumatic situations in childhood.
an appropriate response to an event being faced.
behaviours that are unrealistic.
conditions that should be removed or cured.

Answer 18

an appropriate response to an event being faced.

Question 19

The existential approach bases therapeutic practice on:

a scientific orientation.
specific behaviors that can be assessed.
an understanding of what it means to be human.
a teaching–learning model that stresses the didactic aspects of therapy.

Answer 19

an understanding of what it means to be human.

Question 20

Existential therapy is basically:

an experiential and relational approach.
a behavioural approach.
a cognitive approach.
an evidence-based approach.

Answer 20

an experiential and relational approach.

Question 21

Existential therapy places emphasis on:

finding solutions to well-defined problems.
uncovering early childhood traumatic events.
the quality of the client–therapist relationship.
teaching clients cognitive and behavioural coping skills.

Answer 21

the quality of the client–therapist relationship.

Question 22

The existential focus on subjective experience, or __________, is a strength from a multicultural perspective.

family of origin
striving for superiority
phenomenology
freedom

Answer 22

phenomenology

Question 23

The existential therapist would probably agree that:

aloneness is a sign of detachment.
we are alone unless we have a religious faith.
aloneness is a condition that needs to be cured.
ultimately we are alone.

Answer 23

ultimately we are alone.

Question 24

The existential “givens of existence” include all of the following except:

isolation
freedom
taxes
death

Answer 24

taxes

Question 25

Which of the following is a shortcoming of the existential approach in working with culturally diverse client populations?

1. The focus is on death as a catalyst to living fully.
2. The focus is excessively individualistic and ignores the social factors that cause human problems.
3. The focus is on understanding and accepting the client.
4. The focus is on finding meaning in one’s life.

Answer 25

The focus is excessively individualistic and ignores the social factors that cause human problems.