Counseling Theory and Techniques Final
Exam Questions With Correct Answers
Types of Therapies - ANSWER-Psychoanalytic therapy, Adlerian therapy, Existential
therapy, Person-Centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, Behavior therapy, Cognitive
Behavior therapy, Reality therapy, Feminist therapy, Postmodern Approaches and
Family Systems therapy.
Psychoanalytic Therapy - ANSWER-It focuses on the unconscious, the role of
transference and countertransference, and the importance of early life experiences. An
important aspect is the division of the personality into the id, ego and superego; the
unconscious; anxiety; the functioning of ego defense mechanisms; an understanding of
transference and countertransference; a focus on the past for clues to present
problems; and the development of personality at various stages of life. Healthy
personality development is based on successful resolution of both psychosexual and
psychosocial issues at the appropriate stages throughout the life span.
Psychopathology is the result of failing to meet some critical developmental task or
becoming fixated at some early level of development. The primary goal of therapy is to
make the unconscious conscious.
Countertransference - ANSWER-The therapist's unconscious emotional responses to a
client that are likely to interfere with objectivity; unresolved conflicts of the therapist that
are projected onto the client.
Transference - ANSWER-the client's unconscious shifting to the therapist of feeling and
fantasies, both positive and negative, that are displacements from reactions to
significant others from the client's past.
, Psychosexual stages - ANSWER-The Freudian chronological phases of development,
beginning in infancy. Each is characterized by a primary way of gaining sensual and
sexual gratification.
Psychosocial Stages - ANSWER-Erikson's turning points, from infancy through old age.
Each presents psychological and social tasks that must be mastered if maturation is to
proceed in a healthy fashion.
Adlerian Therapy - ANSWER-Focuses on social psychology and a positive view of
human nature. Views human beings as influenced more by social than by biological
forces. Focuses on the person's past as perceived in the present and how his/her
interpretation of early events has a continuing influence. Consciousness, not the
unconscious, is the center of personality. It is based on a growth model where it
emphasizes on the individual's positive capacities to live fully in society. Mainly
concerned with helping clients identify and change their mistaken beliefs about self,
others, and life. Work collaboratively with the clients in ways that enable them to reach
their self-defined goals and assist clients in developing socially useful goals.
The question - ANSWER-Used in an initial assessment to gain understanding of the
purpose that symptoms or actions have in a person's life. The question is, "How would
your life be different, and what would you do differently, if you did not have this
symptom or problem?"
Existential Therapy - ANSWER-Focuses on exploring themes such as mortality,
meaning, choice, freedom, responsibility, self-determination, anxiety and aloneness, as
these relate to a person's current struggle. The view of human nature is captured by
continually re-creating ourselves through our projects rather than being fixed once and
for all. The belief that we are the authors of our lives. The awareness of our eventual
nonbeing acts as a catalyst for finding meaning. Existential anxiety is healthy and is a
central part of the therapy process because anxiety can be used a s motivation to
change. The goal is to assist clients in their exploration of the existential "givens of life",
Exam Questions With Correct Answers
Types of Therapies - ANSWER-Psychoanalytic therapy, Adlerian therapy, Existential
therapy, Person-Centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, Behavior therapy, Cognitive
Behavior therapy, Reality therapy, Feminist therapy, Postmodern Approaches and
Family Systems therapy.
Psychoanalytic Therapy - ANSWER-It focuses on the unconscious, the role of
transference and countertransference, and the importance of early life experiences. An
important aspect is the division of the personality into the id, ego and superego; the
unconscious; anxiety; the functioning of ego defense mechanisms; an understanding of
transference and countertransference; a focus on the past for clues to present
problems; and the development of personality at various stages of life. Healthy
personality development is based on successful resolution of both psychosexual and
psychosocial issues at the appropriate stages throughout the life span.
Psychopathology is the result of failing to meet some critical developmental task or
becoming fixated at some early level of development. The primary goal of therapy is to
make the unconscious conscious.
Countertransference - ANSWER-The therapist's unconscious emotional responses to a
client that are likely to interfere with objectivity; unresolved conflicts of the therapist that
are projected onto the client.
Transference - ANSWER-the client's unconscious shifting to the therapist of feeling and
fantasies, both positive and negative, that are displacements from reactions to
significant others from the client's past.
, Psychosexual stages - ANSWER-The Freudian chronological phases of development,
beginning in infancy. Each is characterized by a primary way of gaining sensual and
sexual gratification.
Psychosocial Stages - ANSWER-Erikson's turning points, from infancy through old age.
Each presents psychological and social tasks that must be mastered if maturation is to
proceed in a healthy fashion.
Adlerian Therapy - ANSWER-Focuses on social psychology and a positive view of
human nature. Views human beings as influenced more by social than by biological
forces. Focuses on the person's past as perceived in the present and how his/her
interpretation of early events has a continuing influence. Consciousness, not the
unconscious, is the center of personality. It is based on a growth model where it
emphasizes on the individual's positive capacities to live fully in society. Mainly
concerned with helping clients identify and change their mistaken beliefs about self,
others, and life. Work collaboratively with the clients in ways that enable them to reach
their self-defined goals and assist clients in developing socially useful goals.
The question - ANSWER-Used in an initial assessment to gain understanding of the
purpose that symptoms or actions have in a person's life. The question is, "How would
your life be different, and what would you do differently, if you did not have this
symptom or problem?"
Existential Therapy - ANSWER-Focuses on exploring themes such as mortality,
meaning, choice, freedom, responsibility, self-determination, anxiety and aloneness, as
these relate to a person's current struggle. The view of human nature is captured by
continually re-creating ourselves through our projects rather than being fixed once and
for all. The belief that we are the authors of our lives. The awareness of our eventual
nonbeing acts as a catalyst for finding meaning. Existential anxiety is healthy and is a
central part of the therapy process because anxiety can be used a s motivation to
change. The goal is to assist clients in their exploration of the existential "givens of life",
