Deck 8: Gestalt Counseling and Psychotherapy

Question 1

Gestalt counselors work with clients to confront their "shoulds" in order to help clients ____________________________________.

A) avoid taking existential responsibility for their lives
B) regulate emotions in unhealthy ways
C) confront others putting pressure on them
D) live authentically

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The idea that Gestalt counselors use their whole personhood to make real authentic contact with clients is best explained as counselors __________________________.

A) expressing few emotions to protect the client
B) avoiding making or admitting mistakes in session
C) freely sharing their thoughts and feelings as they occur in session
D) employing confrontation frequently in session

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In what way do Gestalt counselors differ from other counselors?

A) They avoid empathy as they believe it hinders therapeutic progress.
B) They do not condone self-disclosure.
C) They are willing to be imperfect role models and do not hide behind a professional veneer.
D) They believe that it is important to strive for a problem-free lifestyle.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Similar to other phenomenological approaches,Gestalt counselors should carefully consider values and assumptions about emotional expression and __________ when working with clients from various populations.

A) assertiveness
B) codependence
C) communication
D) individuality

Question 5

Gestalt counselors offer clients their presence in __________ experiences in the counseling session.

A) emotional
B) unhampered
C) unconscious
D) here-and-now

Question 6

The primary goal of Gestalt counseling is _____________________________.

A) reduction of symptoms
B) self-realization
C) awareness
D) emotional regulation

Question 7

After working with Jesse in therapy for several weeks,Maurice believes it is time for Jesse to increase his integration of polarities between being a strong versus weak brother/son.What intervention might Maurice use to help Jesse accomplish this goal?

A) an enactment or experiment
B) boundary setting
C) increasing awareness
D) dream interpretation

Question 8

It can be said that Gestalt counselors believe that every emotion has a physiological component.All of the following are an accurate example of this concept EXCEPT:

A) a tight jaw as a sign that someone is holding something back.
B) a person fidgeting during session because they recently had back surgery.
C) a person hunched in the corner of the couch as a sign of insecurity.
D) a person with arms folded as a sign they are close off.

Question 9

All of the following statements are true about the dream work of gestalt counseling EXCEPT:

A) meanings of dreams are predetermined and applied to clients accordingly.
B) the counselor does not know the interpretation of the dream better than the client.
C) dreams are attempts to integrate parts of the self.
D) the counselor and the client explore how parts of self interact in the dream.

Question 10

The statement: "The more one tries to change (and be who one is not),the more one stays the same." refers to what concept in Gestalt counseling?

A) organismic self-regulation
B) awareness
C) integration of polarities
D) paradoxical theory of change

Question 11

When a Gestalt counselor is "assessing the field," the counselor will likely ask the client all of the following questions EXCEPT:

A) What was your experience?
B) How did others experience you?
C) How did you contribute to creating your experience?
D) How did you contribute to the experience of others?

Question 12

To increase awareness,Gestalt counselors often encourage clients to ________________.

A) modify their language
B) speak to an empty chair
C) stay with difficult feelings
D) write down their dreams

Question 13

Responsible vs.carefree is an example of a problematic _________________.

A) act
B) polarity
C) opposition
D) counterbalance

Question 14

Maurice is working with a 32-year-old male client,Jesse,who has presented in therapy after the recent,unexpected death of his mother.Jesse reports that he has not cried much; rather he has taken charge where he has needed to in his family and has supported his dad,and his two younger sisters with regular phone calls and visits.Recently,Jesse reports feeling extremely angry with his father,who after only 3 months is dating a new woman.Jesse found out about the woman when he showed up at his parent's house one evening after work to check-in on his dad and found them having dinner together.Jesse reports that he is trying to be strong for his sisters and to remain loving toward his father,but he is finding it more and more difficult to be the hero in the family.An example of an early phase goal for Jesse would be _________________________________________.

A) decrease suppression of feelings and increase ability to express more vulnerable emotions.
B) increase differentiation from family of origin to decrease intensity of feelings
C) increase ability to confront family members
D) reduce intensity of feelings by minimizing their importance

Question 15

Asking your client to speak aloud while in session what she is afraid to say to an actual person,would be an example of _____________.

A) language modification
B) experiment
C) body awareness
D) dream work

Question 16

Gestalt theory is considered an __________ approach to counseling,focusing on the moment-to-moment flow of experience in the counseling relationship.

A) atheoretical
B) existential
C) experiential
D) assertive

Question 17

Gestalt counselors believe neuroses and other problems develop when a person ________________________________.

A) has a sense of personal inferiority
B) avoids directly confronting existential realities
C) avoids direct contact with parts of the self
D) has conflicts between the id and superego

Question 18

When a person has integrated polarities,they have ____________________________.

A) accepted more aspects of the self
B) made peace with who and what one is
C) a responsive relationship with the environment
D) trust in the self and life itself

Question 19

Interventions in Gestalt counseling are designed to encourage clients to make __________ and complete the __________ cycle.

A) excuses/avoidance
B) changes/withdrawal
C) peace/life
D) contact/encounter

Question 20

What is the primary vehicle for change in Gestalt counseling?

A) the person of the counselor
B) the interventions
C) the theory
D) the client

Question 21

What is meant by an "experiential" approach to therapy?

Question 22

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Gestalt counseling in working with diverse populations?

Question 23

What is meant by the statement,"The more one tries to change (and be who one is not),the more one stays the same."

Question 24

What is the person of the counselor and why is it important?

Question 25

In the final or closing phase of therapy,Maurice works with Jesse to develop a more authentic expression of his self in his relationship with his sisters and his dad.Which of the following is the best intervention for accomplishing this goal?

A) Help Jesse to confront his "shoulds".
B) Help Jesse to accept "what is" related to the loss of his mother.
C) Help Jesse to deal with the death anxiety he feels related to the loss of his mother.
D) Help Jesse to speak about his feelings directly to his family.

Question 26

Why is it important for the counselor to encourage the client to stay with difficult feelings?