Question 1

What is diversity training?

Accepted Answer

Diversity training focuses on differences in people, whether it is demographics (age, gender, religious beliefs) or cultural differences. The purpose of diversity training is to create a greater understanding of cultures and belief systems in order to prevent miscommunication and misconceptions.
Cultural awareness assists the clinician to communicate effectively, verbally and nonverbally, and accurately interpret client body language and verbal cues. It also gives the clinician knowledge of subsystems within the culture (family, community, religion), which helps assess client concerns accurately.

Question 2

A Latina counselor agrees to work with a client from an Asian background. What does this counselor need to effectively assist her client?

Accepted Answer

Diversity training provides knowledge of differing cultures and insight into the cultural norms of a particular community. Knowledge of the importance of family, differences in frame of reference, and how mental health concerns are presented in a particular culture are all important pieces of diversity training. A degree in Asian culture is not necessary, nor is a recommendation from another therapist. An eagerness to assist the client would also be helpful, but diversity training is essential.

Question 3

How often does a clinical supervisor need to meet with the counselors he/she is supervising?

Accepted Answer

Each state determines the number of hours a counselor needs to be supervised prior to licensing, as well as how often they must meet with their supervisor. To check on this in your state, contact the licensing division on the state website. Usually the supervisor and counselor meet at least monthly, with the supervisor assisting and consulting with the clients being seen.

Question 4

When a counselor is seeing clients under supervision, what does the client need to know about the arrangement?

Accepted Answer

The counselor will need to receive consent to release information from the client in most states in order to discuss counseling progress with the supervisor. It is important for clients to realize the counselor is being supervised by a licensed clinician and what this entails for the client. It is not necessary for the client to know how often the counselor meets with the supervisor, although they might ask.

Question 5

A lead clinician might provide in-service training for counselors under their supervision. What types of training might be provided?

Accepted Answer

Group facilitation is an important skill to learn and brush up on through the years, as counselors often lead groups in their practice. Stress management skills, for both the counselor to practice him/herself, or to teach to clients, are valuable skills as well. Wine tasting is best left to the personal preference of each counselor in their after work hours.

Question 6

In diversity, or cultural awareness training, what subjects might be taught?

Accepted Answer

Culture awareness training includes the cultural belief systems, style of communicating, world view of the culture (how life is seen as a whole), and other areas necessary for effective communication, understanding, and connection with a person from a particular culture. It may be of interest to know the geographical location of the culture of origin or their preferred foods, but not as vital to the counseling/client relationship perhaps.

Question 7

The lead clinician notices several of the counselors within the organization are using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in their work with clients. She is curious about whether this is an effective method. What can she do?

Accepted Answer

By performing a data analysis of the research, the lead clinician can get an unbiased, research-based overview of EMDR as a method of treatment in clients. She may then observe the use of EMDR on clients and discuss the use of this method with the counselors to get a clear impression of the treatment within the organization.

Question 8

Evaluating the performance of other counselors is an important aspect of supervision. What is an appropriate way to evaluate another counselor?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the type of evaluation, a lead clinician might ask to sit in on a session with a client's permission or videotape the session for later viewing and skill development training. This decision would need to be made in respect to the client. If this would create discomfort and inhibit the counseling process, it may not be a viable option. Reviewing client files for accuracy and progress is a very necessary and expected process for the lead clinician.

Question 9

What is quality assurance and control as it pertains to a clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Quality assurance and control in a clinical practice ensures all client files are accurate and up-to-date, with all necessary legal documents filled out and signed, treatment plans completed and signed by client and clinician, assessments have been entered into the file, any testing results are in place, progress or case notes are accurate and up-to-date, and client's progress and any other clinical notes of concern are documented. This may be done by the clinic supervisor, a team of counselors, or a quality assurance team member.

Question 10

When performing an evaluation on another counselor, a supervisor will look at what areas of performance?

Accepted Answer

In a clinic, all three areas are an important aspect of evaluation. The use of time management skills is a necessary component to managing the work load. If a counselor uses a large amount of time completing paperwork, there is either less time to see clients or the counselor is spending a large amount of overtime or personal time to complete the required case notes. The need for accurate and timely completion of paperwork is necessary for both quality assurance and refreshing the counselor's memory prior to the next counseling session. Progression toward client goals is a vital area of evaluation. Clients need to make progress and see progress toward their goals in the counseling process or soon become discouraged.

Question 11

A counselor is having a difficult time making progress with a client toward the goals initially determined in the treatment plan. What are some options available to rectify this concern?

Accepted Answer

When a counselor is not making progress with a client, many options are available to help resolve the issue. Most likely, a consultation with other counselors in the practice, including the lead counselor, may engender additional insights and ideas to move the client toward progression. If consultation is not helpful, another counselor may be asked to observe a session and provide feedback. Usually, terminating a relationship with the client is not the answer, unless it is determined, through much discussion with client and lead clinician, that another counselor would be a better fit for the client and his/her concern.

Question 12

A clinic is seeing an increase in people with a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis. What might the lead clinician do about this?

Accepted Answer

A lead clinician might decide to provide refresher training on a particular diagnosis if counselors see an increase in this type of disorder or he may address it at a weekly clinical meeting, asking for feedback and opening it up for group discussion. No other action may need to be taken other than an observation of the increase. The lead clinician might also look into a community awareness program highlighting this disorder.

Question 13

What is a community needs assessment?

Accepted Answer

A community needs assessment looks at the strengths and resources of a community in assisting its people in a variety of ways. The assessment might reveal plenty of health facilities, but a lack of transportation to get to the facilities. As needs are assessed, task forces may be created to address the issues of concern.

Question 14

Why would a director of a counseling practice conduct a community needs assessment?

Accepted Answer

A director of a counseling practice might conduct or be a part of a community needs assessment both to ensure clinic services are providing for the community's mental health concerns, as well as assisting with the overall well-being of the community. The results of the assessment might determine offering additional services or replacing services not fully utilized with those that might be more needed.

Question 15

A population within a clinic's service area is not accessing mental health services, even when it is determined there is a need. An informal assessment reveals they do not have reliable transportation. What is one option to remedy this concern?

Accepted Answer

Although a satellite office may be an expensive solution, it may be viable, depending on the need and size of the population. A less expensive solution could be an outreach program, evening classes, or support groups held in local area churches or community buildings.

Question 16

The lead clinician often determines which counselors see new clients. What factors determine placement?

Accepted Answer

Many factors determine placement of new clients with a counselor. It is important for a good fit between client and counselor to achieve a healthy therapeutic alliance. The presenting problem and the counselor's area of expertise might determine placement, as well as age and gender of client. Some female clients prefer seeing a female counselor; others may prefer a male counselor. A counselor's caseload may determine placement as well. Adding to an already full caseload can create counselor burn out and a lessening of client success.

Question 17

Professional ethics require a counselor to avoid dual relationships. What is a 'dual relationship'?

Accepted Answer

A concurrent, or dual, relationship is generally considered unethical for counselors. For example, counselors certainly should not engage in intimate relationships with clients, nor share social, activities, business dealings, or more other non therapeutic interactions.

Question 18

What are the demographic characteristics of the effective clinician?

Accepted Answer

Research does not provide much information about the relationship of clinician background to effectiveness. One interesting variable that has shown a correlation with outcome is the clinician's perception of having difficulties during their own childhood. It is unclear if the outcome is due to other factors during this period.

Question 19

Counselors have a responsibility to protect clients who threaten suicide or other form of physical harm to themselves. This is usually called ____________.

Accepted Answer

Duty to warn is the duty to protect clients who present a danger to themselves or others. The decision to break confidentiality is not an easy one and should be made with extreme care, consulting with a colleague or supervisor when faced with this issue.

Question 20

Some personal characteristics of an effective clinician are listed below. What is not one?

Accepted Answer

Although an active social life might be enjoyable, as well as prevent stress, it is not one of the personal characteristics of an effective clinician. Having good interpersonal skills and qualities similar to what people most value in friends are characteristics that also make an effective clinician, such as being friendly and likeable, self-confident, healthy self-esteem, and the ability to affirm others rather than diminish them.

Quiz 9: EPPP 4