Counseling Theories & Helping Relationships Flashcards

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, was originally designed to treat which population?

Answer: Individuals with borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidality

Linehan developed DBT specifically for chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, integrating CBT with acceptance strategies and dialectical philosophy.

In narrative therapy, 'externalizing the problem' involves:

Answer: Linguistically separating the problem from the person's identity

Externalizing separates the person from the problem through language (e.g., 'depression visits you' rather than 'you are depressed'), allowing clients to relate to and resist the problem rather than identify with it.

According to Carl Rogers, which of the three core conditions is most foundational, as without it the other two conditions cannot be genuine?

Answer: Congruence (genuineness)

Rogers considered congruence (genuineness/authenticity) the most fundamental condition because a counselor who is not genuine cannot truly offer real empathy or unconditional positive regard.

A counselor uses a genogram in session. Which theoretical orientation most commonly employs this tool?

Answer: Bowen's multigenerational family therapy

Genograms—multigenerational family maps tracking relationship patterns, triangles, and emotional cutoffs across generations—are a primary assessment and intervention tool in Bowenian therapy.

Reality therapy's focus on current behavior rather than past events aligns most directly with which foundational concept developed by William Glasser?

Answer: Choice theory: all behavior is chosen to satisfy basic needs

Glasser's choice theory holds that all behavior (acting, thinking, feeling, physiology) is chosen in an attempt to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love/belonging, power, freedom, and fun.

In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), 'psychological flexibility' is achieved primarily through:

Answer: Accepting private experiences while committing to values-based action

ACT aims for psychological flexibility by helping clients accept difficult thoughts and feelings without struggle while committing to actions aligned with personal values, rather than eliminating unwanted internal experiences.

Which of the following best characterizes the 'identified patient' concept in family systems therapy?

Answer: The symptomatic member who carries the family system's dysfunction

The identified patient is the family member whose symptoms express the broader family system's dysfunction; family therapists treat the whole system rather than 'fixing' this individual.