Intro to Counseling Exam 2

What is circular causality as it pertains to family counseling?

It is important to look at the bigger picture of how each person’s actions become causes and effects of everyone else’s behavior

How do you attain a degree of competence as family counselor? Training? Theories?

a masters degree in family and marriage therapy or a related field, followed by supervised clinical experience and passing the relevant licensing exam

What is power directly related to in the family?

Active participation, responsibility in addressing issues, influence the outcome and overall dynamics of the therapy,

According to strategic family therapists, how can child’s severely disruptive behaviors be viewed?

stabilizing the family structure, it is not just the child that is disruptive but the whole family

Do family counselors use directives? How?

yes, they give instructions or suggestions for clients to take specific actions or behaviors between sessions to address family issues and promote change

What is family counseling most similar to?

Group Counseling

What are the 4 horsemen Gottman identifies as negative interactions between couples?

Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling

Family Counseling Skills

communicating his or her emotional needs with honesty and directness, learn to fight fairly, and allow each person to become emotionally open and vulnerable with his or her partner- perhaps the essential requirement for intimacy

What is the primary difference between family and individual counseling

Clinicians must generally be more active, directive, and controlling than they would be in individual sessions

KNow what Gottman’s research on marriage shows (Major Conclusions)

What are healthy ways to express anger/

anger is fine so long as people are nice to each other more often than they are angry

Are family counselors active and directive in their approach?

yes

What is a psychoeducational group?

Information on careers, sex, parenting skills, job possibilities, colleges, and other topics that might be of interest

Focus on preventing problems in the future 

What is a therapy group?

supportive themes, goal is to minimize symptoms and understand past actions

What are the advantages of group therapy over individual therapy?

cost effectiveness, Spectator effects, Stimulation value, Opportunity for feedback, support, structured practice

How does growth occur in groups?

What are the stages of the group?

1. Forming a group

2. Initial Stage

3. Transition Stage

4. Working Stage

5. Closing Stage

What should a counselor do when physical safety or emotional wellbeing of a group member is in danger?

intervene and take responsibility for protecting client safety

When should a group leader intervene in group processes?

when there are difficulties in the group’s functioning, the group is avoiding process issues, members engage in a unconstructive discussion, or when a group goals necessitate a shift in focus

Why is group work effective?

spectator effects, stimulation value, Opportunity for feedback, support, structured practice

What are leadership skills linked to group work?

communication, active listening, conflict resolution, empathy, and the ability to delegate and build positive relationships

What is a limitation of group work?

the potential for uneven task distribution and conflict, unequal support of ideas

Why are validity and reliability important to testing

 For a test to be useful, it must be a reliable and valid measure of behavior.

Reliability

refers to the consistency or accuracy of a test score, does not mean the results are accurate

 Validity

refers to the extent to which tests actually measure what they purport.

Why is testing and assessment process crucial?

is a multifaceted process that involves a variety of functions to determine an individual’s characteristics, aptitudes, achievements, and personal qualities

What are the advantages of using testing in counseling?

gain valuable insights into a persons thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being

What are some issues that might come up in assessment that require further assessment?

inappropriate assessment methods, inadequate data interpretation, failing to use results to implement change

Why do mental health professionals rely on DSM as a diagnostic system according to the text?

provides a standardized and reliable framework for diagnosing mental disorders, and can provide reliable diagnoses that can be used in research on mental disorders

What are reasons for and against formal diagnosis?

you could misdiagnose someone but you could give someone hope that their problem can be treated

If not using formal diagnosis, how else could a clinician label a client in a useful way

focus on client-specific strengths, goals, and presenting concerns

How do you define test

an attempt to measure a sample of behavior objectively and consistently

test of ability

assessment of an individual performance in different work-related tasks or situations

aptitude tests

Used to predict potential capabilities in a specific area, Looking at the potential for what you can do, usually job related and natural talent

achievement tests

Often called proficiency tests, achievement tests, are used to measure learning, acquired capabilities, or developed skills, Show what you know and what you can do 

Task Leader

high group status, problem solving abilities, knowledge, and expertise

Expediter

keeps group on task, don’t rush converation but also can summarize and move the group forward

Gatekeeper

Help to ensure all voices in the group are heard, they make people feel included

Social-Emotional Leader

This role can shift from one person to another, Reflective thinker, Good perception skills

Tension Releaser

Naturally funny, but funny alone is not enough to fill this role. This person knows how to appropriately use humor to release tension rather than create it

Harmonizer

Manage various types of group conflict that emerge during communication, They might help other members rephrase things that weren’t perceived correctly

Monopolizer

Dominate conversation; not listening well, socially making it all about them 

Self-Confessor

Tries to use group therapy for personal issues not related to the group content 

Insecure Compliment Seeker

Wants to know they are valued and seek recognition and validation

Joker

Consistently uses sarcasm, plays pranks, tells jokes and distracts from the overall group goals

Withdrawer

Only participates when forced, More likely when groups are larger than 5

Agressor

Puts others down

Doormat

Chronically submissive