Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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. Which of the following are possible options to remedy this concern? Choose all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Although a satellite office can 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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

Confidentiality is an important aspect of the therapeutic relationship. Why?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is an important aspect of the therapeutic relationship because it helps the clients feel safe in treatment and encourages them to share sensitive material. It helps the client trust the clinician, not the other way around. At the same time, confidentiality has limits, for clients who are minors, who present a danger to themselves or others, or who have abused a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person.

Question 12

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 13

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.

Question 14

Clinicians tend to choose counseling approaches that are _________ their personality styles.

Accepted Answer

Clinicians choose approaches that are compatible with their personality styles. Erikson, the developmental psychologist, studies the relationship between a clinician's preferred theoretical orientations and personality types. Findings suggested that those clinicians who like to think chose cognitive styles of approach, while those who were feeling types chose more affective approaches.

Question 15

There is a high level of substance use in teens within your practice area. What might be developed to address this concern?

Accepted Answer

There are many different approaches to outreach, from creating an effective public awareness campaign to support groups, parenting classes, stress management seminars, teaching alternative behaviors, etc. The director of outreach programming would need to evaluate the demographics and concerns in the area before choosing one or several of these approaches.

Question 16

When acting as a consultant to another counselor, what skills might be the most helpful?

Accepted Answer

Active listening skills are very helpful skills to have when acting as a consultant. Active listening skills are usually characterized by paying attention, nodding, rephrasing, asking an occasional question, and being a good sounding board for the person who is talking.

Quiz 4: Career Development, Counseling Process and Ethics