Question 1

An ethical issue arises when:

Accepted Answer

Counselors promoting dependence on their clients is an ethical issue because it goes against the principle of promoting the client's autonomy and independence. The goal of counseling should be to empower clients to become more self-sufficient and confident in their ability to make decisions and solve problems on their own. Encouraging dependence can lead to a harmful power dynamic and hinder the client's progress in therapy.

Question 2

Termination of the therapy process:

Accepted Answer

The termination of therapy is a joint decision by both the client and the therapist. The therapist should discuss the reasons for termination with the client, explore any unresolved issues and provide referrals or other resources as necessary. It is important to have a mutually agreed-upon ending to therapy to ensure a positive experience for the client and to maintain ethical standards. State law and ethics codes may provide guidance on the termination of therapy, but this decision ultimately relies on the partnership between the therapist and client. Option A and D are incorrect, as the decision for termination should not be mandated solely by ethics codes or the therapist. Option B is partially correct as state laws may provide guidelines, however, it is not solely regulated by state law.

Question 3

Graduate programs provide insufficient training in:

Accepted Answer

While all of these concepts are important in therapy, research has shown that many graduate programs do not adequately prepare therapists to manage their own self-care needs. This can lead to burnout and decreased effectiveness in the therapy room.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a way you can involve yourself in therapeutic experiences that can increase your availability to clients?

Accepted Answer

Limiting travel and new experiences would not help increase your availability to clients. The other options (individual and/or group counseling, continuing education, keeping a personal journal and reading) can all be beneficial ways to engage in therapeutic experiences that can improve your ability to provide support to your clients.

Question 5

Empathy fatigue is common in professionals who:

Accepted Answer

Empathy fatigue, also known as compassion fatigue, affects individuals who work in roles where they are regularly exposed to the trauma and suffering of others. Those who treat survivors of stressful and traumatic events, people with mood, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, and vocational settings with people with mental and physical disabilities are at high risk for empathy fatigue. Practicing self-care techniques can help alleviate symptoms, while those who lack empathy and do not care about client outcomes are unlikely to experience empathy fatigue. Administrative positions are also less likely to lead to empathy fatigue as they do not involve direct client care.

Question 6

Tanya seems to meet some of her personal needs through counseling her clients. This is

Accepted Answer

While it is not uncommon for counselors to feel fulfilled in their work, it is important that their personal needs do not overshadow the needs of their clients. As long as Tanya prioritizes her clients' growth and does not allow her personal needs to interfere with the therapeutic relationship, it is acceptable for her to feel personal satisfaction in her work.

Question 7

Ronald directs his clients toward solutions instead of encouraging them to seek alternatives for themselves. He is likely to have a strong need:

Accepted Answer

Ronald's behavior suggests that he derives a sense of achievement and accomplishment from being the one to provide solutions to his clients, rather than empowering them to find their own alternatives. This indicates a need for approval and reinforcement of his own competence.

Question 8

______________________is the process whereby clients place past feelings or attitudes they had toward significant people in their lives onto their therapist.

Accepted Answer

Transference is the process where a client projects feelings they had toward significant people in their lives onto their therapist, often unconsciously. The client may begin to see the therapist as a parental figure, a romantic interest, or an authority figure, among other possibilities. This process can be helpful in therapy by allowing clients to work through past issues and relationships in a safe space.

Question 9

As therapists, we are often in the role of giver; to preserve our vitality, we need to create spaces in which the "giver" can be supported. A necessary form of ongoing self-care to help in this support is:

Accepted Answer

Personal therapy is a crucial form of ongoing self-care for therapists. It allows the therapist to process their own emotions and experiences, build self-awareness, and maintain their own mental health, which ultimately helps them better support their clients. Decreasing the number of clients can be helpful in some cases, but it may not always be feasible or desirable. Engaging in fieldwork and internship experiences may be beneficial for newer therapists, but it is not a sustainable form of ongoing self-care. Beginning to practice psychotherapy would be counterintuitive as it would add to the therapist's workload and stress levels, rather than providing them with support.

Question 10

Sexual or romantic feelings toward a client:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sexual or romantic feelings toward a client:
...

Question 11

Which of the following therapist behaviors might be indicative of a countertransference reaction?

Accepted Answer

Overprotecting or rejecting a client can be indicative of a countertransference reaction, as these actions may stem from the therapist's own unresolved personal issues or emotional responses to the client's situation. Refraining from giving advice, allowing the client space to experience and release anger, and empowering the client to make decisions are all generally positive therapist behaviors and not necessarily indicative of countertransference reactions.

Question 12

Rhonda is a counselor at a drug and alcohol treatment center. She grew up in an alcoholic home and is not fully aware of the "unfinished business" she has with her parents. She is still angry and resents her parents for having to grow up in an alcoholic family system. It is most likely that Rhonda will:

Accepted Answer

Rhonda's unresolved issues and resentment towards her parents may interfere with her ability to effectively support her clients, potentially obstructing their progress towards recovery.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a sign of therapist decay?

Accepted Answer

Accepting clients within one's scope of competence is actually a sign of ethical and responsible practice. The other choices, such as an absence of boundaries with clients, living in isolation, and being unwilling to seek professional help when experiencing personal distress, are all signs of therapist decay.

Question 14

Joanne finds herself wanting to solve her client's problems, which are similar to the issues her daughter is going through. Joanne gives advice and feels frustrated when her client won't follow through on her suggestions. Her emotional reactions to her client, which involve her own projections, is based on:

Accepted Answer

Joanne's emotional reactions involving her own projections suggest that she may be experiencing countertransference, which refers to the therapist's unconscious emotional response to a client. Joanne's projection of her daughter's issues onto her client and frustration when her client won't follow through on her suggestions are signs of countertransference. The other options - transference, nurturance, and caretaking - do not fully capture Joanne's emotional reactions and projections onto her client.

Question 15

Counselors who have unresolved personal conflicts:

Accepted Answer

Counselors should be aware of how their personal conflicts can potentially impact their ability to effectively counsel their clients. It is important for counselors to refrain from activities that may harm their clients and seek support from colleagues or their own therapy to address personal conflicts. While it may be ideal for counselors to have resolved all their own difficulties, it is not always possible and should not prevent them from seeking help and providing effective counseling services. Repressing anxiety-provoking issues is not a healthy or effective strategy for becoming an effective counselor. Therefore, the best choice is A.

Question 16

Self-care involves:

Accepted Answer

Self-care involves taking care of one's own physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It includes engaging in activities that promote positive feelings and experiences, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, and socializing with loved ones. Self-care is not about serving others or portraying a certain image, nor is it dependent on intelligence or communication skills. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 17

It is believed that countertransference involves:

Accepted Answer

Countertransference refers to the therapist's emotional response to the client, including feelings, associations, fantasies, and fleeting images. It is important for therapists to be aware of their countertransference reactions to avoid them from interfering with their objectivity and ability to provide effective therapy. Ongoing personal therapy (A) is recommended for therapists to work through their own unresolved issues, but it is not directly related to countertransference. Projection of feelings (B) is a defense mechanism used by clients and not related to countertransference. A healthy relationship (D) between client and therapist is important for effective therapy, but it does not necessarily prevent or eliminate countertransference.

Question 18

The authors state that, in many ways, therapeutic encounters serve as mirrors in which therapists can see their own lives reflected. As a result:

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic encounters can serve as a catalyst for change in the therapist as well as in the client because the therapist is able to see their own lives reflected in the work they are doing. This can lead to personal growth and self-awareness for the therapist. However, this does not necessarily mean that the therapist will always change or that they will become narcissistic or violate ethical boundaries.

Question 19

When counselors become overly concerned with meeting their own needs or pushing their own personal agendas, their behavior becomes:

Accepted Answer

When counselors prioritize their own needs or agendas above those of their clients, they violate ethical principles of counseling. The counselor's primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of the client, and any behavior that deviates from this goal is considered unethical. Being overly concerned with personal needs or agendas can lead to biased or harmful interventions, ultimately hindering the client's progress in therapy.

Question 20

Martina has been working at a crisis intervention center for three years and is starting to have nightmares about her work. Despite having a strong work ethic, she dreads her job because she feels burdened by the lack of power she has in making decisions pertaining to the treatment of her clients. Martina is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Martina's experience of nightmares, dreading her job, and feeling burdened by lack of power are all symptoms of burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It is common among individuals in helping professions, such as crisis intervention, who deal with a high level of stress and emotional overload.

Quiz 2: The Counselor As a Person and As a Professional