THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COUNSELING
AND PSYCHOTHERAPY BY GERALD CORY
FINAL STUDY PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ Assessment. Answer: Consists of evaluating the relevant factors in
a client's life to identify themes for further exploration in the
counseling process
◉ Diagnosis. Answer: Sometimes part of the assessment process,
this is the analysis and explanation of a client's problems; It may
include an explanation of the causes of the client's difficulties, an
account of how these problems developed over time, a classification
of any disorders, a specification of preferred treatment procedure,
and an estimate of the chances for a successful resolution
◉ What is the purpose of diagnosing someone?. Answer: To identify
disruptions in a client's present behavior and lifestyle; once problem
areas are clearly identified, the counselor and client are able to
establish the goals of the therapy process, and then a treatment plan
can be tailored to the unique needs of the client; a diagnosis
provides a working hypothesis that guides the practitioner in
understanding the client; diagnosis begins with the intake interview
and continues throughout the duration of therapy
,◉ What are some drawbacks to diagnoses?. Answer: The possible
failure of counselors to consider ethnic and cultural factors in
certain patterns of behavior; The DSM-IV-TR emphasizes the
importance of being aware of unintentional bias and keeping an
open mind to the presence of distinctive ethnic and cultural patterns
that could influence the diagnostic process; certain behaviors and
personality styles may be labeled neurotic or deviant simply because
they are not characteristic of the dominant culture
◉ Evidence-based practice (EBP). Answer: Psychotherapists are
required to base their practice on techniques that have empirical
evidence to support their efficacy; Research studies empirically
analyze the most effective and efficient treatments, which then can
be widely implemented in clinical practice; this goes hand in hand
with health insurance companies views as well
◉ The Three Pillars of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). Answer: 1)
Looking for the best available research, 2) relying on clinical
expertise, and 3) taking into consideration the client's
characteristics, culture, and preferences
◉ Practice-Based Evidence. Answer: Involves using data generated
during treatment to inform the process and outcome of treatment
(more detailed in Chapter 15)
◉ Dual/Multiple Relationships. Answer: Either sexual or nonsexual,
occur when counselors assume two (or more) roles simultaneously
,or sequentially with a client; this may involve assuming more than
one professional role or combining professional and
nonprofessional roles; these terms are used interchangably- ACA
uses the term "nonprofessional relationship"
◉ Examples of multiple/dual relationships. Answer: Nonsexual:
combining the roles of teacher and therapist or of supervisor and
therapist; bartering for goods or therapeutic services; borrowing
money from a client; providing therapy to a friend, an employee, or a
relative; engaging in a social relationship with a client; accepting an
expensive gift from a client; or going into a business venture with a
client. Sexual: becoming emotionally or sexually involved with a
current client is clearly unethical, unprofessional, and illegal. Sexual
involvement with a former client is unwise, can be exploitative, and
is generally considered unethical
◉ ACA Code of Ethics opinion on multiple relationships. Answer:
The ACA Code of Ethics ( ACA, 2005) stresses that counseling
professionals must learn how to manage multiple roles and
responsibilities in an ethical way. This entails dealing effectively
with the power differential that is inherent in counseling
relationships and training relationships, balancing boundary issues,
addressing nonprofessional relationships, and striving to avoid
using power in ways that might cause harm to clients, students, or
supervisees
, ◉ Boundary crossing. Answer: A departure from a commonly
accepted practice that could potentially benefit a client (For
example, attending the wedding of a client may be extending a
boundary, but it could be beneficial for the client)
◉ Boundary violation. Answer: A serious breach that harms the
client and is therefore unethical; a type of boundary crossing that
takes the practitioner out of the professional role, which generally
involves exploitation and results in harm to a client
◉ Flexible boundaries. Answer: This can be useful in the counseling
process when applied ethically; some boundary crossings pose no
ethical problems and may enhance the counseling relationship,
while other boundary crossings may lead to a pattern of blurred
professional roles and become problematic
◉ Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Answer: Devoted most of his life to
formulating and extending his theory of psychoanalysis; he first
examined his childhood memories and came to realize the intense
hostility he felt for his father, the sexual feelings for his mother, and
then clinically formulated his theory as he observed his patients
work through their own problems in analysis
◉ The Freudian view of human nature. Answer: Basically
deterministic; our behavior is determined by irrational forces,
unconscious motivations, and biological and instinctual drives as
these evolve through key psychosexual stages in the first years of life
AND PSYCHOTHERAPY BY GERALD CORY
FINAL STUDY PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ Assessment. Answer: Consists of evaluating the relevant factors in
a client's life to identify themes for further exploration in the
counseling process
◉ Diagnosis. Answer: Sometimes part of the assessment process,
this is the analysis and explanation of a client's problems; It may
include an explanation of the causes of the client's difficulties, an
account of how these problems developed over time, a classification
of any disorders, a specification of preferred treatment procedure,
and an estimate of the chances for a successful resolution
◉ What is the purpose of diagnosing someone?. Answer: To identify
disruptions in a client's present behavior and lifestyle; once problem
areas are clearly identified, the counselor and client are able to
establish the goals of the therapy process, and then a treatment plan
can be tailored to the unique needs of the client; a diagnosis
provides a working hypothesis that guides the practitioner in
understanding the client; diagnosis begins with the intake interview
and continues throughout the duration of therapy
,◉ What are some drawbacks to diagnoses?. Answer: The possible
failure of counselors to consider ethnic and cultural factors in
certain patterns of behavior; The DSM-IV-TR emphasizes the
importance of being aware of unintentional bias and keeping an
open mind to the presence of distinctive ethnic and cultural patterns
that could influence the diagnostic process; certain behaviors and
personality styles may be labeled neurotic or deviant simply because
they are not characteristic of the dominant culture
◉ Evidence-based practice (EBP). Answer: Psychotherapists are
required to base their practice on techniques that have empirical
evidence to support their efficacy; Research studies empirically
analyze the most effective and efficient treatments, which then can
be widely implemented in clinical practice; this goes hand in hand
with health insurance companies views as well
◉ The Three Pillars of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). Answer: 1)
Looking for the best available research, 2) relying on clinical
expertise, and 3) taking into consideration the client's
characteristics, culture, and preferences
◉ Practice-Based Evidence. Answer: Involves using data generated
during treatment to inform the process and outcome of treatment
(more detailed in Chapter 15)
◉ Dual/Multiple Relationships. Answer: Either sexual or nonsexual,
occur when counselors assume two (or more) roles simultaneously
,or sequentially with a client; this may involve assuming more than
one professional role or combining professional and
nonprofessional roles; these terms are used interchangably- ACA
uses the term "nonprofessional relationship"
◉ Examples of multiple/dual relationships. Answer: Nonsexual:
combining the roles of teacher and therapist or of supervisor and
therapist; bartering for goods or therapeutic services; borrowing
money from a client; providing therapy to a friend, an employee, or a
relative; engaging in a social relationship with a client; accepting an
expensive gift from a client; or going into a business venture with a
client. Sexual: becoming emotionally or sexually involved with a
current client is clearly unethical, unprofessional, and illegal. Sexual
involvement with a former client is unwise, can be exploitative, and
is generally considered unethical
◉ ACA Code of Ethics opinion on multiple relationships. Answer:
The ACA Code of Ethics ( ACA, 2005) stresses that counseling
professionals must learn how to manage multiple roles and
responsibilities in an ethical way. This entails dealing effectively
with the power differential that is inherent in counseling
relationships and training relationships, balancing boundary issues,
addressing nonprofessional relationships, and striving to avoid
using power in ways that might cause harm to clients, students, or
supervisees
, ◉ Boundary crossing. Answer: A departure from a commonly
accepted practice that could potentially benefit a client (For
example, attending the wedding of a client may be extending a
boundary, but it could be beneficial for the client)
◉ Boundary violation. Answer: A serious breach that harms the
client and is therefore unethical; a type of boundary crossing that
takes the practitioner out of the professional role, which generally
involves exploitation and results in harm to a client
◉ Flexible boundaries. Answer: This can be useful in the counseling
process when applied ethically; some boundary crossings pose no
ethical problems and may enhance the counseling relationship,
while other boundary crossings may lead to a pattern of blurred
professional roles and become problematic
◉ Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Answer: Devoted most of his life to
formulating and extending his theory of psychoanalysis; he first
examined his childhood memories and came to realize the intense
hostility he felt for his father, the sexual feelings for his mother, and
then clinically formulated his theory as he observed his patients
work through their own problems in analysis
◉ The Freudian view of human nature. Answer: Basically
deterministic; our behavior is determined by irrational forces,
unconscious motivations, and biological and instinctual drives as
these evolve through key psychosexual stages in the first years of life
