Ch 13: Counselling Theories Flashcards
(34 cards)
What are the five-stages of counseling structure?
- Rapport
- Story
- Goals
- Restory
- Action
How do different counseling theories prioritize skills and contextual factors? (4)
Person-centered:
- Emphasizes listening
- Self-actualization
CBT/Gestalt:
- Focus on directives
- Cognitive/behavioral change
Multicultural/Feminist:
- Focus on cultural/environmental context
- Systemic influences
Decisional/Feminist/MCT:
- Eclectic
- Broad skills use
What’s the difference between crisis and trauma?
Crisis:
- Sudden, critical events (e.g., fire, rape, natural disasters)
Trauma:
- Long-term, pervasive impact (e.g., ongoing psychological consequences)
What are the 2 types of crises?
Type 1: Immediate, urgent action required
Type 2: More “normal” life crises (e.g., divorce, job loss)
What are the 2 major phases in crisis/trauma counseling?
Immediate Response:
- Focus on safety, stabilization, emotional support
Follow-up Counseling:
- Focus on long-term support, deeper exploration, advocacy
** Immediate phase needs cognitive flexibility; follow-up looks more like typical counseling.
True or false: The term PTSD may be stigmatizing; many prefer Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS).
True
What are the core principles of trauma-informed care? (5)
Safety:
- Ensure physical and emotional safety
Trustworthiness:
- Establish clear expectations and boundaries
Choice:
- Prioritize autonomy and self-determination
Collaboration:
- Share power, involve the client
Empowerment:
- Recognize strengths and build hope
What are the key strategies for working with clients in crisis or trauma? (7)
Safety:
- Ensure immediate physical/emotional security
Calming & Caring:
- Provide empathetic presence, avoid minimizing
Normalizing:
- Validate reactions, avoid “victim” language
Debriefing:
- Encourage repeated storytelling for processing
Strengths & Resources:
- Focus on resilience, internal strengths
Action & Advocacy:
- Help with practical needs, connect to resources
Follow-up:
- Ongoing support and resilience-building
True or false: Counselors can experience secondary trauma and burnout from ongoing exposure to crises.
True
Support and therapy for counselors are essential to maintain effectiveness and well-being.
What key actions should a counselor take in the first session of crisis counseling? (7)
Rapport & Trust:
- Open, empathetic approach
Listening & Gathering Information:
- Allow free storytelling, validate feelings
Reassurance & Actionable Solutions:
- Offer immediate resources, practical steps
Support Strengths:
- Empower the client by recognizing their strengths
Collaborative Action Plan:
- Involve the client in creating steps for recovery
Follow-up:
- Plan for continued support and debriefing
Realistic Expectations:
- Avoid overpromising, acknowledge limits
What are the key points to understand about suicide risk and intervention?
Risk Factors:
- Mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, life stressors
Warning Signs:
- Withdrawal (Social isolation, disengagement from activities)
What are some key demographics for suicide risk? (3)
Age:
- Highest rates of suicide are in ages 10-34
Gender:
- Males have a higher suicide rate than females
Race:
- White males are particularly at higher risk
How do you assess the risk of suicide in a client? (5)
Vigilance:
- Keep an eye out for clients showing high distress or major life changes
Key Questions:
- Ask directly about suicidal thoughts and plans
- “Have you thought about ending your life?”
Avoid “Why”:
- Focus on feelings, not just reasons
Crisis Support:
- Provide immediate emotional support and stabilize the client
Follow-up:
- Ensure the client is referred to proper mental health resources and ensure continued participation in treatment
What are the warning signs of imminent suicide risk? (3)
Direct Threats: Verbal statements like “I’m going to end it all”
Seeking Lethal Means: Looking for ways to harm themselves (e.g., obtaining pills or weapons)
Talk of Death: Conversations about death, giving away belongings, saying goodbye
What strengths and resources can help reduce suicide risk? (4)
Social Support:
- Family, friends, community
Spirituality:
- Religious or spiritual beliefs
Responsibility:
- Sense of duty to others (e.g., family)
Coping Skills:
- Healthy mechanisms, problem-solving, realistic thinking
What tools are helpful for crisis/trauma counseling?
Triage Assessment Form (TAF:CIR):
- Measures affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions to guide intervention intensity (1–10 scale)
Why is debriefing important in trauma counseling?
It allows clients to process the traumatic event by repeatedly sharing their experience
Freud’s Concept:
- Known as “wearing away the trauma”
Benefits:
- Helps clients feel heard and understood, reducing emotional intensity
Techniques:
- Paraphrasing, reflecting emotions, summarizing
Why is cultural sensitivity important in trauma-informed care? (3)
Diversity and Inclusion:
- Ensures that the trauma recovery process respects the client’s cultural background
Personalizing Care:
- Asking clients about their safety preferences, what support looks like for them, and understanding their worldview
Trauma Impact:
- Different cultures experience trauma in unique ways, and understanding these perspectives helps tailor support effectively
Why is follow-up counseling crucial after a crisis?
Ongoing support:
- Clients often need continued emotional support as they process the crisis
Reassurance:
- Follow-up provides clients with ongoing validation and a sense of connection
Recovery Planning:
- Helps clients create longer-term goals for rebuilding their lives
Monitoring Progress:
- Assess how clients are coping and address any emerging needs
What is the core philosophy behind Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is based on Stoic philosophy, especially Epictetus’ idea that it’s not the events themselves that cause distress, but rather how we interpret or react to them.
What is the goal of CBT?
The goal of CBT is to change unhelpful thought patterns in order to improve emotions and behaviors.
Who were the key figures in the development of CBT? (2)
Albert Ellis developed Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), which later became REBT when he added a focus on behavior change.
Aaron and Judy Beck developed Cognitive Therapy, emphasizing the correction of distorted thinking.
Today, CBT combines these approaches and tailors them to individual clients.
What are the core propositions of CBT? (3)
Cognitive activity affects behavior:
- Our thoughts influence our actions.
Cognitive activity can be monitored and changed:
- We can track and alter our thought patterns.
Behavior change can occur through cognitive change:
- Altering thought patterns leads to changes in behavior
What are the key characteristics of CBT? (7)
Cognitive focus:
- Thoughts shape feelings and actions.
Structured and time-limited:
- Clear goals and timelines.
Collaborative:
- Counselor and client work together.
Directive:
- The therapist guides the process, encouraging client insights.
Educational model:
- Teaches coping skills.
Homework/action plans:
- Tasks between sessions to practice skills.
Pragmatic:
- Focus on practical, real-world solutions.
