Exam 9: Focusing the Counseling Session: Exploring the Story From Multiple Perspectives

Instructions The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement: "I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, but I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions that I could jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room." Identify the kind of focus by its letter. -____ "Apparently there is a university rule prohibiting excessive jumping up and down with happiness during an exam." A)Person focus B)Problem/main theme focus C)Others focus D)Family focus E)Mutual issues or group focus F)Interviewer focus G)Cultural/environmental/contextual focus

There are many ways to focus attention in the counseling session. What are other focus possibilities besides individual client focus, problem focus, and interviewer focus?

Instructions: Counselor responses follow. Identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement. ​Client: I just found that I'm pregnant. I don't know who it was, but I have an idea who it is most likely to be. But no one is likely to help. My family doesn't know yet, and they really deserted me last time I got in trouble. I've only talked to them a few times, and we are starting to get along again, but now... I wonder what's going to happen. I just feel lost.​Counselor response: "You must feel lost. -"​​This is an encourager with a ____.

"Financially, things were tight last time. How will it be this time?" ____ is the primary focus of this paraphrase and open question.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the community genogram?​

"How are your friends helpful to you?" By using this question, how is the interviewer trying to focus the client?​

Focusing often results in ____.

The idea of _____________ suggests that our family and community history and experiences live within each of us.

The idea of person-in-community was developed by ______ (1994), who pointed out that our family and community history and experiences live within each of us.

Instructions The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement. "I really don't know. It seems clear that my not getting the raise was really unfair—just because I'm a woman. It really hurts!" Identify the kind of focus by its letter. -____ "Let us take action. We can do it! We've got what it takes!"​ A)Person focus B)Problem/main theme focus C)Others focus D)Family focus E)Mutual issues or group focus F)Interviewer focus G)Cultural/environmental/contextual focus

The family genogram is particularly helpful for us in understanding:​

Instructions The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement: "I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, but I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions that I could jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room." Identify the kind of focus by its letter. -____ "Tell me a bit more about your family's reactions?" A)Person focus B)Problem/main theme focus C)Others focus D)Family focus E)Mutual issues or group focus F)Interviewer focus G)Cultural/environmental/contextual focus

Instructions The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement. "I'd like to buy a new car, but I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will the car be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?" Identify the kind of focus by its letter. -____ "Did you know that women and minorities often are charged more for cars than European American men are?"​ A)Person focus B)Problem/main theme focus C)Others focus D)Family focus E)Mutual issues or group focus F)Interviewer focus G)Cultural/environmental/contextual focus

What type of client is likely to benefit from a family genogram?

Instructions The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement. "I'd like to buy a new car, but I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will the car be dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?" Identify the kind of focus by its letter. -____ "I really like my Widget. It's made me feel good just to drive it."​ A)Person focus B)Problem/main theme focus C)Others focus D)Family focus E)Mutual issues or group focus F)Interviewer focus G)Cultural/environmental/contextual focus

Instructions The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in the reply to the following statement: "I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like I'm at a party. And not only that, but I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and competent as I answer these questions that I could jump up and down. My parents never told me how much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without having people leave the room." Identify the kind of focus by its letter. -____ "Let us lead the class in song!"​ A)Person focus B)Problem/main theme focus C)Others focus D)Family focus E)Mutual issues or group focus F)Interviewer focus G)Cultural/environmental/contextual focus

Which one of the following statements is NOT true of cultural and environmental focus?​

How can the family genogram be criticized from an adoptive, extended family, or alternative view of family perspective?​

Debriefing the community genogram is your chance to learn about the developmental history and cultural background of your client.

Focusing has been presented as a technique or skill that could be used to control or free a client. Explain how focus could be used in both ways and present a coherent argument for use or nonuse of this skill.