Deck 16: Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy

Question 1

Existential angst refers to all of the following EXCEPT: _______________________.

A) feeling nervousness or agitation about something that is going to happen
B) contemplating the possibility of a meaningless existence
C) becoming aware of choices, freedoms, and responsibilities in life
D) becoming aware of how each decision shapes one's life

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Existentialists maintain that a person's __________ plays a significant role in their presenting problem/psychopathology.

A) family
B) responsibility
C) fear of death
D) self awareness

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Most existentialists believe that life is inherently __________. Existential counselors work with clients to help clients find life __________.

A) fulfilling/fulfillment
B) predetermined/determination
C) purposeful/purpose
D) meaningless/meaning

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Existential counselors rely most heavily on ______________ to promote change for their clients.

A) the counseling relationship
B) a special agent
C) the counselor's interventions
D) the counselor's interpretation

Question 5

An I-Thou relational encounter is best represented by which of the following examples?

A) diagnosing a client
B) a profound moment of witnessing
C) planning a wedding
D) ordering dinner at a restaurant

Question 6

A paradoxical intention would be most appropriate for all of the following client problems EXCEPT: __________________________________.

A) fear of public places
B) fear of isolation
C) fear of spiders
D) fear of public speaking

Question 7

In existential counseling, the counselor-client relationship involves cultivating the type of presence that characterizes I-Thou connections. The experience of the client is best described in which of the following statements?

A) The client's inherent tendency to strive for positive growth is activated.
B) The client is able to develop awareness and differentiate self from non-self.
C) The client is encouraged to promote social change to reduce forms of oppression.
D) The client feels "seen" and "heard" on a profound level.

Question 8

Describe the I-Thou relationship.

Question 9

Existential counseling requires facing the reality of death, loneliness, and responsibility for one's life. This requires the counselor to promote __________ in the client.

A) answers
B) courage
C) self-centeredness
D) affirmation

Question 10

Which of the following characteristics best describes the stance of existential counselors?

A) promoting responsibility and independence
B) a blank slate
C) reassuring and supportive
D) stating: "I'm right there with you."

Question 11

The research and evidence base related to the existential approach for counseling indicate the most important quality in counseling is the _______________________________.

A) theoretical orientation
B) interventions
C) instillation of hope
D) counseling relationship

Question 12

Which statement below best represents the existential concept of freedom and responsibility?

A) A person's greatest freedom is how he/she chooses to make meaning and respond to life circumstances.
B) A person's life is determined by God, genetics, and family, not choice.
C) Real choice in life is impossible because we have conditioned, automatic responses.
D) Freedom comes automatically to people, without responsibility.

Question 13

Existential counselors will help clients to focus on changing themselves when the situation is unchangeable. How might the counselor accomplish this?

A) By helping a client whose mother has died focus on the pain and turmoil of the loss.
B) By helping a client with inoperable cancer fight death until fighting is no longer possible.
C) By helping a client who is failing high school find the loop hole in the admission. process for college in order to get into a decent institution.
D) By helping a client going through a difficult divorce examine how his choices in dealing with the divorce will impact his children in the long term.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is the best example of a goal in existential counseling?

A) Develop a sense of identity that is less dependent on financial status.
B) Reduce depressed mood.
C) Create greater acceptance of change.
D) Reduce existential anxiety and/or fear of being alone.

Question 15

Describe the concept of death anxiety from an existential counseling perspective.

Question 16

Jose is contemplating dropping out of college to tour with his band. In therapy, he expresses experiencing moments of _____________, where he has intense awareness of how each decision irrevocably shapes his life.

A) normal anxieties
B) death anxiety
C) existential angst
D) neuroses

Question 17

According to Irving Yalom, there are four areas existential counseling helps clients address. All of the following are addressed in existential counseling with clients EXCEPT: ____________________.

A) death and anxiety
B) inclusion and authority
C) freedom and responsibility
D) isolation and relationship

Question 18

Existential counseling and person-centered counseling work toward _______________ _________________________.

A) curing mental illness
B) helping people live more authentic and self-actualized lives
C) dealing with crises in identity
D) fostering healthy relationships with others

Question 19

What do existential counselors believe about the purpose of life?

Question 20

Which of the following statements is a poor cultural adaptation/consideration for an existential counselor working a client from a diverse background?

A) Attend to the client's relational and conflict resolution patterns.
B) Assess the client's cultural expectations for collectivism vs. individualism.
C) Adapt existentialist expectations of independence and responsibility.
D) Apply existentialist concepts of freedom and responsibility.

Question 21

How do existential counselors view the goals of therapy?

Question 22

What are three interventions that existential counselors utilize in session? Describe each.