Core Counseling Attributes Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the working alliance in counseling?

Answer: The bond, shared goals, and agreement on tasks between counselor and client

Bordin's working alliance model encompasses the therapeutic bond, agreement on goals, and consensus on the tasks used to achieve them.

A client says, 'I know I should quit drinking, but I'm just not ready.' The counselor who reflects 'It sounds like part of you wants to change but another part isn't ready yet' is demonstrating:

Answer: Reflection of ambivalence

Reflecting ambivalence names the coexisting motivations without judgment, which is a foundational motivational interviewing skill that honors the client's complexity.

When a counselor uses open-ended questions, the PRIMARY therapeutic purpose is to:

Answer: Invite the client to elaborate and explore their own experience

Open-ended questions are designed to give clients latitude in their responses, encouraging self-exploration rather than simple yes/no answers.

A counselor consistently arrives late to sessions and reschedules frequently. This behavior primarily undermines which core counseling attribute?

Answer: Therapeutic reliability and trustworthiness

Therapeutic reliability — being consistently present and dependable — is foundational to trust and directly impacts the therapeutic alliance and client sense of safety.

In the NCMHCE simulation format, when a client presents with suicidal ideation, which core attribute is MOST critical to demonstrate first?

Answer: A safe, non-judgmental presence that facilitates honest disclosure

Before any intervention, the counselor must establish a safe, non-judgmental environment that encourages the client to disclose the full nature of their suicidal thoughts.

Which counselor behavior is MOST likely to rupture the therapeutic alliance?

Answer: Imposing the counselor's values on the client's life decisions

Alliance ruptures commonly occur when clients feel judged, controlled, or that the counselor is not respecting their autonomy and self-determination.

A counselor who practices mindfulness as a way to remain present and non-reactive during sessions is cultivating which therapeutic quality?

Answer: Therapeutic presence and self-awareness

Mindfulness supports therapeutic presence by helping counselors remain fully attentive and self-aware without being swept into reactivity or distraction.