Counseling Theories and Skills Flashcards

During a group counseling session, a member repeatedly interrupts others. The MOST therapeutically appropriate response is to:

Answer: Use the behavior as material for group exploration of boundaries

Processing interpersonal behaviors as they occur in the group is a core technique of group therapy and offers real-time learning.

A counselor using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a client who has co-occurring borderline personality disorder and substance use would emphasize:

Answer: Distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills

DBT was developed for emotionally dysregulated clients and focuses on four skill modules including distress tolerance and emotional regulation.

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'unconditional positive regard' as used in person-centered counseling?

Answer: Accepting the client as a person regardless of their behavior or statements

Unconditional positive regard means the counselor values and accepts the client completely without judgment, even when disagreeing with specific behaviors.

The term 'secondary gains' in the context of substance use counseling refers to:

Answer: Benefits the client receives as a result of using substances, such as peer acceptance

Secondary gains are unintended benefits (social, psychological, financial) that reinforce continued substance use despite negative consequences.

A counselor uses role-playing in session to help a client practice refusing a drink at a party. This is an example of which skill-building approach?

Answer: Behavioral rehearsal

Behavioral rehearsal involves practicing target behaviors in a safe environment to build competence and confidence before real-world situations.

According to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the primary cause of emotional disturbance is:

Answer: Irrational beliefs about activating events

Ellis's REBT holds that it is not the event (A) itself but the client's irrational beliefs (B) about the event that create emotional consequences (C).

A counselor who shares a brief personal experience to normalize a client's feelings is using which technique?

Answer: Self-disclosure

Therapeutic self-disclosure involves the counselor intentionally sharing personal information to build rapport, normalize, or model behavior.