CDCA Group Process & Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a chemical dependency group, 'here-and-now' focus means the counselor:
- Discusses clients' childhood trauma in depth
- Emphasizes interactions and feelings occurring within the current group session (Correct answer)
- Reviews members' relapse histories
- Focuses on future sobriety planning
Correct answer: Emphasizes interactions and feelings occurring within the current group session
Here-and-now focus directs attention to what is happening in the room during the current session to maximize interpersonal learning.
Question 2: A counselor facilitating a psychoeducational group on relapse prevention is primarily using which type of group format?
- Process group
- Support group
- Skills training group (Correct answer)
- Self-help group
Correct answer: Skills training group
Psychoeducational relapse prevention groups focus on teaching specific coping skills and strategies, making them skills training groups.
Question 3: When a group member monopolizes session time, the counselor should FIRST:
- Ask the member to leave the group
- Gently interrupt and invite other members to respond (Correct answer)
- Ignore the behavior to avoid embarrassing the member
- Allow the behavior since all members need equal validation
Correct answer: Gently interrupt and invite other members to respond
A gentle interruption that invites group participation addresses the monopolizing behavior while keeping the therapeutic environment safe.
Question 4: The term 'vicarious learning' in a group context refers to:
- A member learning by observing other members' experiences and feedback (Correct answer)
- A member teaching skills directly to peers
- The counselor modeling coping behaviors for the group
- Group members practicing skills together in role-play
Correct answer: A member learning by observing other members' experiences and feedback
Vicarious learning (also called imitative behavior) occurs when members learn new ways of coping by observing the progress and interactions of fellow members.
Question 5: Which group leadership style is most appropriate when group members are highly motivated and experienced in group work?
- Authoritarian style
- Democratic/facilitative style (Correct answer)
- Laissez-faire style
- Directive/didactic style
Correct answer: Democratic/facilitative style
Experienced, motivated group members benefit from a democratic/facilitative style that encourages autonomy while providing appropriate structure.
Question 6: A group member shares a painful personal disclosure. Another member immediately minimizes it by saying 'at least you didn't have it as bad as me.' This is an example of:
- Empathy
- Blocking
- Advice giving
- Hijacking (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hijacking
Hijacking occurs when a member redirects focus to themselves after another member's disclosure, undermining the original speaker's experience.
Question 7: Co-facilitation of a group is MOST beneficial because it:
- Reduces the need for group supervision
- Allows one facilitator to observe group dynamics while the other leads (Correct answer)
- Eliminates the possibility of countertransference
- Decreases member dependency on the group
Correct answer: Allows one facilitator to observe group dynamics while the other leads
Co-facilitation allows one counselor to manage the group process while the other observes dynamics, providing richer feedback and intervention options.
CDCA Group Process & Techniques 3
In a chemical dependency group, 'here-and-now' focus means the counselor: