Intro to Counseling Theory and Techniques (Spring 2026)

With Dr. Lien Nguyen :)

Who is credited for psychoanalytic theory? (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. Breuer

B. Charcot

C. Freud

D. William S.

C. Freud

According to Freud, people struggle to find a balance: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. between Oedipal and Electra complexes.

B. between neurotic and psychotic defense mechanisms.

C. between self-expression and the expectations of authority figures.

D. between sexual drives and socially acceptable behavior.

D. between sexual drives and socially acceptable behavior.

The pursuit of pleasure and gratification as embodied by the “pleasure principle” is the goal of the: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. id.

B. superego.

C. ego.

D. unconcious.

A. id.

The term “libido” refers to: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. rational thought.

B. the death instinct.

C. energy and vitality.

D. conscience.

C. energy and vitality.

Despite its self-defeating quality, Gabe had been unsuccessful in eliminating his use of alcohol because of the pleasure it brought him.

In Freudian terms, which personality system was dominating his behavior? (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. superego

B. id

C. libido

D. ego

B. id

Jared felt guilty about sleeping late on Sunday morning instead of going to church.

To which personality system would Freud attribute Jared’s feelings? (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. id

B. ego

C. superego

D. libido

C. superego

According to Jung, two attitudes are present in the conscious mind.

They are: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. thinking and feeling.

B. extraversion and introversion.

C. anima and animus.

D. positive and negative.

B. extraversion and introversion.

According to Jungian theory, psychic well-being is evidenced through: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. equal skill in using all attitudes.

B. balance between personality opposites.

C. sufficient ability to extravert.

D. equal skill in using all functions.

B. balance between personality opposites.

The side of ourselves that we show to the outside world is the: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. dominant function.

B. persona.

C. dominant attitude.

D. ego

B. persona.

Lynn found dishonesty reprehensible and was suspicious of the honesty of many people with whom she interacted.

In Jungian theory, Lynn’s reaction can be attributed to the: (Chapter 2 & 4)

A. shadow.

B. animus.

C. intuition.

D. inferior function.

A. shadow.

Which statement most accurately reflects Adler’s view of human nature? (Chapter 3)

A. Goal-directed behavior mitigates the influence of biological factors.

B. Sexual drive and libido provide the motivation for most human behavior.

C. Individuals are basically egocentric and must be taught to have social interest.

D. Early childhood experiences determine our destiny.

A. Goal-directed behavior mitigates the influence of biological factors.

Maryam is dependable, responsible, and achievement-oriented. She has always been extremely well behaved.

Maryam is typical of a/an: (Chapter 3)

A. oldest

B. second

C. middle

D. youngest

A. oldest

According to Adler, the major influence on the development of lifestyle is: (Chapter 3)

A. the composition and interaction of a person’s family.

B. biology.

C. birth order.

D. the degree to which unconscious material can be made conscious

A. the composition and interaction of a person’s family.

Individual psychology focuses away from disease and pathology and instead: (Chapter 3)

A. views problems as resulting from negative thinking

B. focuses on childhood behavior as the cause of problems.

C. provides a social focus that recognizes the client’s needs for power and belonging are not being met.

D. allows the person to find his or her own solutions

C. provides a social focus that recognizes the client’s needs for power and belonging are not being met.

All of the following play a major role in Adlerian psychology EXCEPT? (Chapter 3)

A. libido

B. feelings of inferiority

C. lifestyle

D. goal directedness

A. libido

Adler’s model for the client-clinician relationship can be described as: (Chapter 3)

A. similar to Freud’s.

B. paternalistic.

C. collaborative.

D. based on a medical model

C. collaborative.

A client states: “I am so excited because I finally passed the bar exam!”

According to the Adlerian model, which would be the most encouraging response? (Chapter 3)

A. You sound very happy.

B. You must feel great satisfaction knowing that all of your studying paid off.

C. Where will this lead you?

D. Now you can start making some money

B. You must feel great satisfaction knowing that all of your studying paid off.

A client arrived at a counseling session irate because a parking attendant had made him move his car. The client stated, “Even though the sign said NO PARKING, there was no reason why the attendant couldn’t let me park there.” The clinician helped the client to see that, although he criticized others for ignoring rules and laws, he believed that he was special and did not have to abide by the rules and laws that pertained to others.

The technique which the clinician employed is called: (Chapter 3)

A. confrontation

B. immediacy

C. pushing the button.

D. spitting in the client’s soup

A. confrontation

Alfred Adler developed an approach that focused on: (Chapter 3)

A. Birth order, self interest, and lifestyle assessment.

B. Birth order, social interest, and lifestyle assessment.

C. Birth order, social interest, and myth.

D. None of the above

B. Birth order, social interest, and lifestyle assessment.

All of the following are therapeutic goals of Adlerian Therapy EXCEPT: (Chapter 3)

A. Help clients increase their sense of belonging

B. Increase behaviors that are centered on social interest and community feeling

C. Help people overcome their feelings of inferiority

D. Replace irrational cognitions with rational cognitions

D. Replace irrational cognitions with rational cognitions

Behavior therapy focuses on actions.

All of the following statements are true EXCEPT? (Chapter 5)

A. Actions are easy to measure and quantify.

B. Research tends to affirm the effectiveness of behavior therapy.

C. People are more comfortable discussing emotions and thoughts than talking about their behaviors.

D. Clients frequently seek treatment to address a problem behavior

C. People are more comfortable discussing emotions and thoughts than talking about their behaviors.

Operant conditioning includes which of the following consequences? (Chapter 5)

A. Negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, positive punishment, stimulus generalization

B. Counterconditioning, negative punishment, positive reinforcement, stimulus generalization

C. Extinction, positive reinforcement, negative punishment, counterconditioning

D. Negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, negative punishment, positive punishment

D. Negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, negative punishment, positive punishment

A child who was stung by a bee is now afraid of all flying insects.

The child’s behavior illustrates the concept of: (Chapter 5)

A. reciprocal inhibition.

B. stimulus discrimination.

C. stimulus generalization.

D. operant conditioning

C. stimulus generalization.

Clients working with behavior therapists can expect their clinicians to: (Chapter 5)

A. not be concerned about the nature of the therapeutic alliance.

B. use a medical model to apply a prescribed list of strategies.

C. focus on treatment plans, goals, and homework assignments.

D. place much more emphasis on in-session rather than between-session work

C. focus on treatment plans, goals, and homework assignments.

All of the following are strengths of behavior therapy EXCEPT: (Chapter 5)

A. Behavior therapy has emphasized the importance of research on counseling effectiveness

B. Behavior therapy is specific and concrete.

C. The relationship between therapist and client is collaborative

D. Behavior therapy is appropriate to use with all diverse cultures

D. Behavior therapy is appropriate to use with all diverse cultures

Which of the following diverse cultures may respond particularly well to the emphasis on behaviors rather than emotions? (Chapter 5)

A. Asian cultures

B. Women

C. European cultures

D. African cultures

A. Asian cultures

Which of the following are examples of classical conditioning techniques used in behavior therapy? (Chapter 5)

A. Exposure, relaxation techniques, contingency management

B. Reinforcement, shaping, extinction

C. Systematic desensitization, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback

D. Positive reinforcement, shaping, systematic desensitization

C. Systematic desensitization, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback

Which of the following are examples of operant conditioning techniques used in behavior therapy? (Chapter 5)

A. Exposure, relaxation techniques, contingency management

B. Reinforcement, shaping, extinction

C. Systematic desensitization, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback

D. Positive reinforcement, shaping, systematic desensitization

B. Reinforcement, shaping, extinction

What is the theoretical foundation of token economies? (Chapter 5)

A. Classical conditioning

B. Operant conditioning

C. Social learning theory

D. Contingency management

D. Contingency management

What is the overall goal of behavior therapy? (Chapter 5)

A. Reduction in undesirable behaviors and improvement in positive behaviors

B. Help clients become more flexible and sensitive in their reactions to change in their environments

C. Replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts

D. Teaching people how to act in ways that are congruent with society

B. Help clients become more flexible and sensitive in their reactions to change in their environments

Cognitive therapists believe that effective therapy consists primarily of: (Chapter 6)

A. helping people modify their thoughts.

B. being intellectual during the session.

C. identifying emotions that lead to thoughts.

D. determining how emotions and actions have affected thoughts

A. helping people modify their thoughts.

Commonalities between Beck’s cognitive therapy and Ellis’s R E B T include all of the following EXCEPT? (Chapter 6)

A. Both identify distorted feelings that lead to problem behavior.

B. Both rely on experiments or homework assignments.

C. Both focus on a sound therapeutic alliance.

D. Both replace dysfunctional thoughts with more accurate, helpful, and healthy thoughts

A. Both identify distorted feelings that lead to problem behavior.

The therapeutic alliance in cognitive therapy is: (Chapter 6)

A. Directive and authoritarian

B. Directive and also collaborative and supportive

C. Nondirective and authoritarian

D. Nondirective and also collaborative and supportive

B. Directive and also collaborative and supportive

According to R E B T (rational emotive behavior therapy), emotional difficulties are often found in people with: (Chapter 6)

A. poor communication skills.

B. poor individuation.

C. conditional self-acceptance.

D. ineffectual defense mechanisms

C. conditional self-acceptance.

Which of the following is the primary cause of struggle according to R E B T? (Chapter 6)

A. Unhealthy relationships.

B. Irrational beliefs.

C. Aversive childhood.

D. Personality characteristics

B. Irrational beliefs.

Which of the following is the primary goal of R E B T? (Chapter 6)

A. Reducing symptoms and changing beliefs.

B. Developing insight and self-awareness.

C. Early childhood experiences.

D. Assisting movement through developmental stages

A. Reducing symptoms and changing beliefs.

In R E B T, all of the following are true of irrational beliefs EXCEPT? (Chapter 6)

A. Irrational beliefs can be extreme statements that promote negative emotions.

B. Emotional problems stem from negative thoughts.

C. In-depth discussions of the past can relieve irrational beliefs.

D. Irrational beliefs often include words such as should, ought, and must

C. In-depth discussions of the past can relieve irrational beliefs.

In cognitive therapy, thoughts are believed to be: (Chapter 6)

A. the determinant of emotions and behavior.

B. independent of emotions and behavior.

C. the result of emotions and behavior.

D. more important than emotions and behavior

A. the determinant of emotions and behavior.

In Beck’s cognitive therapy, background factors: (Chapter 6)

A. are unimportant because the approach is present-oriented.

B. are unimportant because current thoughts are the focus.

C. are important to the development of rapport.

D. are important because of their contribution to dysfunctional thinking

D. are important because of their contribution to dysfunctional thinking

Target(s) of intervention in cognitive therapy is/are: (Chapter 6)

A. thoughts only.

B. feelings and thoughts.

C. actions and thoughts.

D. thoughts, feelings, and actions

D. thoughts, feelings, and actions

Compared to other cognitive-behavioral approaches, reality therapy places greater emphasis on: (Chapter 7)

A. heredity.

B. self-determination.

C. social interaction.

D. past behavior

B. self-determination.

Which of the following are the basic needs that Glasser believes all people have? (Chapter 7)

A. Love, work, and survival

B. Security, personal growth, generativity, and freedom

C. Belonging, power, fun, freedom, and survival

D. Belonging, personal growth, work, survival, and fun

C. Belonging, power, fun, freedom, and survival

Reality theorists believe that mental illness is the result of: (Chapter 7)

A. inefficiencies in neural functioning.

B. overemphasizing some needs while neglecting others.

C. frustrated drives.

D. an unrealistic view of one’s own strengths and limitations

B. overemphasizing some needs while neglecting others.

The acronym W D E P represents: (Chapter 7)

A. wants, defenses, emotions/expression, physiology.

B. wants, defenses, environment, planning.

C. wants, diagnosis, evaluation, presenting problems.

D. wants, direction/doing, evaluation, planning

D. wants, direction/doing, evaluation, planning

Caleb was suspended from school several times because of his involvement in physical fights.

Which of the following questions would a reality therapist be most likely to ask Caleb? (Chapter 7)

A. Why do you think that you get into so many fights?

B. Where in your body do you feel anger?

C. How do you feel about coming here to talk with me?

D. How do you perceive fighting as meeting your needs?

D. How do you perceive fighting as meeting your needs?

What is the fundamental goal of reality therapy? (Chapter 7)

A. To help clients gain self-awareness of how their childhood experiences have impacted their wants and needs

B. To teach clients a process for changing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

C. To teach clients to have greater control over their lives by making better choices

D. To help clients change their wants and needs to satisfy more fulfilling relationships

C. To teach clients to have greater control over their lives by making better choices

Who is credited with the development of reality therapy? (Chapter 7)

A. Carl Rogers

B. Aaron Beck

C. Viktor Frankl

D. William Glasser

D. William Glasser

According to reality therapy, which of the following should be the first target of change? (Chapter 7)

A. actions

B. thinking

C. feeling

D. physiology

A. actions

What style of questions is most often used in reality therapy? (Chapter 7)

A. “Why” questions

B. Closed ended questions

C. Unstructured questions

D. “What” questions

D. “What” questions

What is the purpose of reasonable consequences in reality therapy? (Chapter 7)

A. To punish people for doing something wrong

B. To teach people what they could do differently to not suffer negative consequences of irresponsible behaviors

C. To show people why they need to act in ways that promote the good of everyone

D. To give clients the opportunity to fulfill their needs in different ways

B. To teach people what they could do differently to not suffer negative consequences of irresponsible behaviors