Questions for Counseling Theory and Practice Comps, as of Fall, 1998

1. One important dimension of psychological counseling theories the stance on the issue of free will vs. determinism. Discuss how this issue is addressed in three of the following: Adlerian Therapy, Behavior Therapy, Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy, Existential Therapy, Rogers' Person-Centered Therapy, and Freudian Psychoanalysis.

2. Reality therapy has generally not been classified with any major theory. Explain how it includes elements of behavior therapy, person-centered therapy, and cognitive therapy.

3. How would you integrate the approaches of Rogers' Person-Centered Therapy with Ellis' REBT? Specifically address the different therapeutic styles and how you might be able to reconcile them to work with a client. Include respect for clients, confrontation, and locus of evaluation in your discussion. Also include how the theories contradict or may be integrated.

4. Mary is a depressed and anxious adolescent who has difficulty making friends because of her shyness and fears of rejection. She states that she doe not know how to engage in casual conversation, and thus feels awkward in any social situation. She often feels lonely and has entertained suicidal thoughts. She said that she once thought about slashing her wrists, but denies being actively suicidal. What cognitive-behavioral techniques might you apply to Mary's case? Be sure to list specific problems you would target for change and how you might do so.

5. An elementary school student has been referred to you for counseling by her teacher. At the initial session, she tells you that her father frequently beats her and that she is afraid that he will kill her. She shows you welts on her back but pleads with you not to say anything to anyone, because she is afraid he will find out. What would you say to her? What actions would you take? What legal issues are involved?

6. Multimodal Therapy relies on an eclectic approach to client problems. What are the strengths and weaknesses of such an approach? What are the dangers a multimodal/eclectic therapist must take care to avoid? Be sure to include a discussion of the applications of multimodal therapy.

7. Assume that you are working with an adolescent with conduct problems (e.g., school difficulties, vandalism, fights, etc.). What are the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a family approach? Be sure to include the types of family relationships you might expect to find, and to describe the type of family approach you might use, including the elements that seem most useful for such a case.

8. Adlerian psychotherapy has traditionally been grouped (with Freudian psychoanalysis, etc.) as a psychodynamic therapy. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this categorization. Support your answer.

9. As part of our discussion of theories, we’ve addressed applications of the various approaches -- that is, the types of problems each approach seems best suited for. For three of the following types of clients, describe which approach seems best suited, and which seems least applicable. Be sure to support your answer with thoughtful elaboration.
a. a college student with a phobia of elevators
b. a high-functioning woman with difficulties relating to men due to her own insecurities and anger towards men
c. a 13-year-old child with conduct and learning problems and who is oppositional
d. a man who is a chronic violent offender who shows anger and disdain for everyone, including himself
e. an elderly woman who is depressed following the death of her husband after over fifty years of marriage.

10. As we have discussed each of the therapy approaches this quarter, we have addressed the specific subgroups and problem areas to which each approach has been more or less applicable. Describe the types of individuals and problems with which Reality Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Multimodal Therapy might be best employed, and those to which each of these approaches seems less well-suited.

11. Prior to treating psychological disorders, one must first define what is meant by a disorder. Describe how any three of the following would define psychological problems, including the etiology of such problems: Freudian Psychoanalysis, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Behavior Therapy.

12. Jill is a depressed and anxious adolescent who has difficulty making friends because of her shyness and fears of rejection. She states that she doe not know how to engage in casual conversation, and thus feels awkward in any social situation. She often feels lonely and has entertained suicidal thoughts. She said that she once thought about slashing her wrists, and may be actively suicidal. How would you assess her risk of suicide? What steps are appropriate from a crisis intervention perspective? What would be contraindicated (factors which would increase the risk)? How does crisis intervention differ from traditional counseling strategies?

13. Over 90% of children and adolescents are referred to counselors by significant others, i.e. they are not in counseling because they themselves sought it. As such, most counselors find that youth typically remain in treatment for a relatively brief period of time. Under these circumstances, which therapeutic approaches would be maximally beneficial. How should a counselor deal with the matter of premature termination? Of what value is time-limited therapy for children?

14. Each therapeutic approach is based upon a theory of personality development, either explicitly or implicitly, which posits a motivational system (internal or external), a source of the adjustment difficulty and thereby a series of strategies thought to be remediative. Compare the existential, person-centered, and psychodynamic approaches in terms of sources of motivation and conflict, view of man (positive/negative/neutral) and his capacity for growth, and roles of the therapist and client in treatment.

15. What are the differences between counseling and psychotherapy? Address the goals, means, providers and consumers involved in each. How would the provision of school counseling services differ from those provided in a private setting?