Ch 5/6 (The Counseling Process & Microskills)

Question 1

What is the most critical component of counseling?

Answer 1

Therapeutic alliance/relationship

Question 2

What are some key characteristics of effective counselors?

Answer 2

1. empathy, emotional expression, acceptance
2. therapeutic bond, safety & trust
3. consistent and transparent
4. communicate hope & encouragement
5. self aware (culture and context)

Question 3

What are some common issues that may get in the way of effective counseling?

Answer 3

1. “School-learning” doesn’t match client in practice
2. Forget relationship building, jump to problem fixing
3. Active Placebo (counselor and client expectations)

Question 4

What are some typical client characteristics at the onset of counseling?

Answer 4

apprehensive, timid, guarded; can be disengaged or withdrawn

Question 5

What are the stages of change (Prochaska)?

Answer 5

1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
6. (Relapse sometimes occurs)

Question 6

What are the BEST client characteristics to ensure positive counseling outcomes?

Answer 6

1. high distress from symptoms
2. further along in stages of change
3. never been to counseling before

Question 7

What is the “art” of helping?

Answer 7

Comes from our ability to be in touch with our passion and desire to build relationships with other humans

Question 8

What is the “science” of helping?

Answer 8

The use of research-based practices. Outcome research and Action research (to solve an immediate problem)

Question 9

What brings clients into counseling?

Answer 9

Inability to cope with life or specific challenges

Question 10

What may affect clients’ opinions coming into counseling?

Answer 10

1. Apperceptions
2. Connotations
3. Perceptions

Question 11

Apperceptions

Answer 11

What clients have heard from others

Question 12

Connotations

Answer 12

What clients believe about counseling

Question 13

Perceptions

Answer 13

Clients’ past experiences with other counselors

Question 14

Active Placebo

Answer 14

How effective the client thinks counseling is due to things unrelated to counseling, such as the counselor’s professional appearance, office setting, etc.

Question 15

What is different between a counseling relationship and other relationships?

Answer 15

Most relationships have a reciprocal exchange of information, counseling by nature does not.

Question 16

“Real Relationship” (between client and counselor)

Answer 16

The overt, explicit relationship between the counselor and client. It is influenced by transference, countertransference, etc.

Question 17

Working Alliance

Answer 17

Collaboration between client and counselor

Question 18

Goal setting is a ____ process and should be ___ evaluated.

Answer 18

Fluid; constantly

Question 19

Counselors are most effective when they:

Answer 19

1. recognize and use Best Practices
2. Consume research
3. Recognize own skills & limitations

Question 20

Relational Competence

Answer 20

How personality affects the counseling relationship

Question 21

How should an effective counselor handle resistance? (atheoretical)

Answer 21

Reframe it to understand it as a way the client is communicating with you

Question 22

Microskills

Answer 22

Verbal and behavioral responses to a client

Question 23

Attending Skills

Answer 23

1. Non-verbal communication (mhmm, hmm, etc)
2. Eye contact
3. Body position (SOLER)
4. Vocal tone/verbal underlining

Question 24

SOLER

Answer 24

Square, Open, Lean, Eye contact, Relaxed

Question 25

What are the 3 goals of listening to a client?

Answer 25

1. Summarize and understand issues
2. Identify key components/themes
3. Identify core emotions/feelings of client

Question 26

Open Question

Answer 26

Client-driven answers, far less predictable answers. Good for delving into deeper issues

Question 27

Closed Question

Answer 27

Short answer or yes/no. Good for concrete and specific info (such as intake assessments)

Question 28

Reflecting Skills

Answer 28

1. Active Listening
2. Paraphrasing
3. Reflecting feelings
4. Reflecting meaning
5. Summarizing
6. Challenging/confrontation