Deck 9: Solution-Based Therapies

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of how a solution-oriented therapist uses reflection to delimit?

A) "You were feeling down."
B) "Your partner always does things that annoy you."
C) "There is not anyone you are interested in right now."
D) "You did not feel understood by your mom yesterday."

Answer 1

D

Question 2

According to solution-based therapists, strengths include the resources in a person's life. Which of the following would NOT be considered a strength?

A) Family support
B) Positive relationships
C) Religious faith
D) Pathology

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Solution-based therapies are arguably the first and leading __________ therapies.

A) short-term
B) strength-based
C) solution-oriented
D) straight-laced

Answer 3

B

Question 4

In solution-oriented therapy, goals are stated in positive, observable, solution-based terms. Which of the following is NOT a good example of a solution-based goal?

A) Increase periods of enjoyable activity, social interaction, and hope for future
B) Increase frequency of couple's emotionally intimate conversations
C) Increase cooperation and pro-social activities
D) All of these are good examples of solution-oriented goals

Question 5

Steve de Shazer assessed client motivation for change using which three categories?

A) Visitors, rejecters, and customers
B) Travelers, complainants, and customers
C) Visitors, complainants, and regulars
D) Visitors, complainants, and customers

Question 6

Solution-based therapists believe __________ cannot be avoided in therapy; however, they are not considered curative.

A) solutions
B) strengths
C) emotions
D) problems

Question 7

Solution-based therapists have been in the vanguard of a larger movement within mental health that emphasizes identifying and utilizing client __________ to promote better clinical outcomes.

A) saviors
B) solutions
C) sorrow
D) strengths

Question 8

Sara is a solution-oriented therapist working with Bill and Gina (parents) and their two children, Jake (15) and Madison (9). The parents say Jake is increasingly hostile and won't listen to them. They feel like their family is falling apart. Jake refuses to participate in therapy. He says his parents are the ones with the problem and he doesn't think anything is wrong. Bill and Gina want Sara to have some individual sessions with Jake, saying they can't make a difference and that she needs to "fix him." What category describes Bill and Gina's motivation for change?

A) Customers
B) Visionaries
C) Complainants
D) Visitors

Question 9

A solution-oriented therapist uses a client's description of "feeling blue" and having "a case of the crazies." This is an example of:

A) carefully attending to the client's word choice.
B) allowing the client to diagnose him or her self.
C) dismissing the clinical significance of symptoms.
D) colluding with the client against the problem.

Question 10

A solution-oriented therapist asks a client, "Are there any times when the problem is less likely to occur or less severe? Are there places or times when the problem is not as bad?" What is the therapist looking for?

A) Exceptions
B) Example
C) Intensity
D) Initiation

Question 11

At a time when most therapies focused on the past, Milton Erickson (an inspiration in solution-oriented therapy) directed his clients to focus on which time periods, often envisioning times without the problem?

A) Past and present
B) Present and future
C) Past and future
D) None of these is correct

Question 12

Which technique can best be used when asking a client to define their goals and rate their progress toward goals?

A) The miracle question
B) Scaling questions
C) Coping questions
D) Pre-suppositional questions

Question 13

Which of the following statements about a visitor in therapy is NOT true?

A) Most mandated clients are visitors in therapy.
B) Therapists need to find ways to connect to a visitor's agenda in order to be successful in therapy.
C) Visitors do not have a complaint, but others generally have a complaint against them.
D) Visitors are in therapy to have their problems fixed by an expert.

Question 14

In solution-based therapy, __________ is cultivated early in therapy to develop motivation and momentum.

A) happiness
B) helpfulness
C) hope
D) hallucinations

Question 15

In solution-based therapies, what does it mean for the therapist to assume the position of a beginner's mind?

A) To meditate before bringing each client into session
B) To start at the very beginning of a client's story
C) To make no assumptions about a client's experiences
D) To reflect a blank slate to the client

Question 16

Contrary to common myths, talking about the __________ is one of the most important means of identifying solutions: what has worked and what has not?

A) past
B) present
C) future
D) unknown

Question 17

What are solution-oriented goal descriptions?

A) Problem-focused
B) Ones that focus on symptom reduction
C) Ones that describe what the client will be doing
D) All of these are correct

Question 18

When successfully delivered, what does the miracle question allow clients?

A) To see how their life could have been if there really were miracles
B) To envision the future without the problem
C) To generate resolutions for their problem
D) All of these are correct

Question 19

What is the key to successfully assessing strengths, no matter how dire and severe a client's situation appears?

A) Having an unshakable belief that all clients have significant and meaningful strengths
B) Liking all clients in spite of their shortcomings
C) Forgiving clients of their transgressions in order to see their good side
D) Finding a client's religious or spiritual beliefs and drawing on those

Question 20

As the name suggests, solution-based therapists spend a minimal amount of time talking about __________ and instead focus on moving the client toward enacting solutions.

A) family
B) problems
C) sadness
D) dreams

Question 21

A couple attends therapy with Julia, a solution-oriented therapist. The couple reports a very difficult relationship. They are always arguing, disagreeing, and separating. After a very intense first session, Julia says to the couple, "Between now and the next time we meet, I would like you to observe so you can describe to me what happens in your relationship that you do not want to have changed by therapy." What kind of intervention is Julia using?

A) The miracle question
B) A formula first session task
C) Scaling questions
D) Compliments and encouragement

Question 22

Which of the following statements most accurately reflects solution-focused therapies' empirical support as an evidenced-based practice?

A) Solution-based therapies have a steadily growing foundation of empirical support.
B) Solution-based therapies cannot be measured because there are no predetermined goals.
C) Solution-based therapies focus on the solutions, which makes it difficult for clients to remember their problems.
D) Solution-based therapies have a steadily decreasing foundation of empirical support.

Question 23

Why is using solution-oriented therapy appropriate when working with diverse populations?

A) The goal-setting process of solution-based therapies is a good fit for many ethnic groups because the goals are predefined by the theory.
B) Focusing on emotions rather than behavior is more comfortable to many ethnic minority groups
C) The focus on solving problems from the past rather than the future makes sense to many ethnic minorities
D) The solution-based viewing of behaviors in context allows for a fairer understanding of problem behaviors of marginalized populations

Question 24

In solution-oriented therapy, when is it best for a therapist to compliment the client?

A) To acknowledge a client's progress toward their goals
B) To get closer to the client
C) To help the client feel good about themselves
D) To acknowledge the client's personhood

Question 25

In what way is solution-oriented hypnosis different than traditional hypnosis?

A) Solution-oriented hypnosis is hierarchical
B) Solution-oriented hypnosis is permissive
C) Solution-oriented hypnosis reprograms the client once they are in a trance
D) None of these is correct

Question 26

Meyer and Cottone (2013) note several ways that solution-based approaches are compatible with Native Americans. These include:

A) the assumption that change is constant.
B) an emphasis on honoring the client's preferred solution.
C) an orientation of time to the present moment.
D) all of these are correct.

Question 27

In order to help survivors of sexual abuse, solution-based counselors identify client's unique solutions using:

A) miracle questions.
B) constructive questions.
C) scaling questions
D) coping questions.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT included in the basic tenets of solution-focused intervention according to de Shazer?

A) If it works, do more of it
B) Small steps can lead to big changes
C) The solution is usually related to the problem
D) No problem happens all of the time; there are always exceptions

Question 29

If a client has difficulty making friends and close relationships but has numerous pets, the therapist will __________ the client's interest in animals to develop more human connections, perhaps by having the client take a dog for a walk in public places, join a dog agility class, or volunteer at a pet shelter.

A) minimize
B) maximize
C) energize
D) utilize

Question 30

"If 0 is where you were when you decided to seek help, and 10 is where you would be if the problem you came here for was resolved, where are you today?" This is an example of:

A) pre-suppositional questions.
B) coping questions.
C) the miracle question.
D) scaling questions.

Question 31

In the solution-based approach, how does the therapist address the pathologizing interpersonal pattern (PIP) to resolve issues among families?

A) The therapist tends to assess PIPs when assessing for strengths and resources in facilitating WIPs
B) Therapists would conceptualize not just the PIPs the couple presents as a problem, but also the PIPs in each family of origin
C) They will have only minimal conversations about PIPs and will carefully assess it only if it seems necessary for a particular client
D) None of these is correct

Question 32

Solution-oriented therapists encourage clients to ask for what they want rather than what they don't want. In other words, they encourage a move from making complaints to making requests . Which of the following is an example of a request?

A) "You don't do anything romantic anymore."
B) "It would be nice if we went back to giving each other a kiss before we left the house."
C) "I would really enjoy adding some romance back into our relationship."
D) "It would be nice if you would show me that you love me."

Question 33

Ericksonian therapists identify client strengths that are in the same class of solutions that relate to the presenting problem. This means the therapist is:

A) carefully listening for other situations where the client is able to follow directions.
B) carefully listening for other situations where the client is hopeful.
C) carefully listening for other situations where the client has a sense of success.
D) any of these, depending on the client's presenting problem.

Question 34

In the beginning of therapy, what is the key to change for clients?

A) Doing one small thing differently
B) Doing something different every day
C) Planning for long term change
D) Setting goals that instill faith

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of a presuppositional question?

A) What are you going to do to resolve this issue?
B) What do you do to contribute to the problem?
C) What will you be doing differently once we resolve these issues?
D) What will your life look like when you change problem?

Question 36

When using scaling questions, it is up to __________ to identify realistic expectations and to develop specific homework tasks to move the client toward goals.

A) the client
B) the therapist
C) the client and therapist
D) none of these is correct

Question 37

When working with survivors of sexual abuse and/or trauma, solution-based therapists honor the agency of the survivors. What does this mean?

A) Solution-based therapists insist the survivor share the details of their abuse
B) Solution-based therapists take a more directive role in working with the survivor
C) Solution-based therapists allow the client to decide whether or when to tell their abuse story
D) Solution-based therapists determine the pacing of the therapy

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT considered to be a benefit of solution-focused therapy when working with Muslim American clients?

A) Solution-focused practice places less emphasis on the client's inner world
B) Muslim Americans may prefer the strength-based approach of solution-based therapies
C) Solution-focused therapists typically define the focus of treatment using theoretical assumptions
D) Muslim Americans are attracted to the brief and focused nature of solution-based therapy

Question 39

Solution-focused therapists often reflect global statements back to clients as partial statements, such as "Your partner sometimes does things that annoy you." This is a strategy known as:

A) channeling language.
B) echoing your client's key words.
C) the beginner's mind.
D) assumption of solution and possibilities.

Question 40

By using videotalk, therapists help couples separate the _______ from the ______ in order to become less defensive with one another.

A) behaviors; interpretation of behaviors
B) experience; facts
C) stories; experience
D) interpretation of behaviors; stories

Question 41

Solution-focused therapy has been identified as a therapeutic approach that may be particularly successful with male clients due to the fact that it does not require expression of vulnerable emotions to be effective. This component of masculinity is known as:

A) control
B) stoicism
C) self-reliance
D) action-orientation