Deck 2: Understanding the Special Challenges Faced by the Correctional Counselor

Question 1

Discuss the importance of identifying and challenging antisocial thinking when counseling clients who are involved in the justice system.

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Why do you think group counseling is the preferred modality in the treatment of system-impacted clients?

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

What are some of the ethical dilemmas facing the correctional counselor? How can they be successfully removed?

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

Discuss some of the contextual demands encountered by the correctional counselor that make the job more stressful.

Question 5

Separate into five groups and assign one of the 5-Keys to each group from the 5-Key Model of Reentry seen in Figure 2.2. (in the text) Each group should consider the specific obstacles that formerly incarcerated people face for their assigned Key and brainstorm possible solutions.

Question 6

Most corrections departments require at least an associate degree in criminology/criminal justice or a social or behavioral science

Question 7

Counselors who explore the client's past for antecedents of current problems are likely to find the cause of the client's behavior

Question 8

One of the reasons group counseling is preferred is that peer group pressure and influence are inherently therapeutic

Question 9

Challenging the thinking errors employed by clients is not an integral part of treatment.

Question 10

Clients that are outwardly compliant are not usually resistant to treatment

Question 11

A client complimenting a counselor on her perfume and asking if her husband likes it is an example of the "ingratiation" tactic of power and control

Question 12

It is imperative that counselors become adept at using direct methods of engaging clients in the counseling process

Question 13

The "redirection" strategy of the "3Rs" of managing client resistance includes the technique of focusing on the client's resistance and ignoring other group members' reactions to the resistance

Question 14

One of the most important elements in managing resistance is avoiding extended debates with people who are justice-involved

Question 15

The premise that treatment and security are mutually in conflict is widely accepted

Question 16

One ethical dilemma faced by correctional counselors is who the client is, i.e., whether the client is the institution or the individual

Question 17

An example of when the ethical dilemma of dual/multiple relationships might arise is when a counselor is asked to participate in a search for contraband

Question 18

By supplementing his or her training and experience, in areas pertinent to working with justice-involved individuals, a counselor can become something akin to all things to all people in terms of serving the full range of client needs and problems

Question 19

Because confidentiality in the client-counselor relationship is essential, the counselor is not required to report to authorities when a client indicates the intent to harm someone

Question 20

Working in a bureaucracy and handling excessive paperwork are two of the contextual demands that regularly confront the correctional counselor

Question 21

Multicultural counseling is an approach that enables counselors to judge people based on assumed group characteristics

Question 22

One recommendation for burnout prevention is that a counselor should maintain and exercise a healthy sense of humor

Question 23

The average caseload for a correctional counselor may exceed 100 persons

Question 24

Part of the correctional counselor's job is to provide crisis support for clients contemplating suicide

Question 25

Despite repeated exposure to violence and witnessing antisocial behavior by clients, correctional workers do not experience a desensitizing effect or normalization at work

Question 26

The caliber of individuals who work as correctional counselors includes:

A) highly dedicated professionals.
B) those who take their work seriously.
C) those who just put in the hours for a paycheck.
D) all of the above.

Question 27

Establishing a meaningful relationship with the client:

A) is important to establishing interpersonal boundaries.
B) is essential to successful counseling.
C) prevents the counselor from confronting the client with the irresponsible decisions that led to his or her incarceration.
D) none of the above.

Question 28

Many counselors are reluctant to build personal involvement with clients because they:

A) have very little time to do so because of their heavy caseloads.
B) are aware that personal involvement with clients is unethical.
C) fear manipulation and exploitation from the clients.
D) fear becoming overly emotionally involved with the clients.

Question 29

Group counseling is a preferred mode of providing treatment because:

A) groups provide a wealth of new information gathered from interactions from other individuals.
B) Group members challenge each other with feedback.
C) peer group pressure and influence are inherently therapeutic.
D) all of the above.

Question 30

Collateral information can be enlightening to a counselor because:

A) many justice-involved clients are masters of deceit.
B) collateral information can help present a comprehensive impression of the client.
C) Justice-involved clients tend to present themselves to their counselors in a favorable light.
D) all of the above.

Question 31

Which of the following is not one of the "Dirty Dozen," i.e., the power and control tactics exhibited by correctional clients?

A) sphere of influence
B) diversion
C) thinking errors
D) rumor clinic

Question 32

Which of the following is a reason power struggles between counselors and clients are counterproductive?

A) clients will always emerge victorious from power struggles.
B) power struggles can impact the physical safety of the counselor.
C) power struggles tend to cause feelings of inferiority in clients.
D) none of the above.

Question 33

The "3Rs" of managing client resistance to counseling are redirection, _________, and reversal of responsibility.

A) reinforcing
B) reframing
C) recrimination
D) raising consciousness

Question 34

What can the counselor do to avoid extended debates with clients?

A) point out the thinking errors that led to the consequences.
B) terminate the counseling session for the time being.
C) point out the self-defeating nature of the clients' behavior.
D) all of the above.

Question 35

Some argue that ethical dilemmas naturally arise because:

A) of the dichotomy of practicality and safety.
B) counselors are often required to assume the role of a helper.
C) of the unavoidable conflict between rehabilitation and retribution.
D) of the unavoidable conflict between treatment and security.

Question 36

A major ethical issue is seen in the counselor's divided loyalties between:

A) practical concerns and ideals.
B) institution and client.
C) theoretical concepts and practice.
D) all of the above.

Question 37

The performance of security-related tasks does not pose significant ethical problems unless:

A) the counselor's tasks related to security distract him or her from counseling duties.
B) the security-related tasks negatively affect treatment of clients.
C) both a and b
D) it can be demonstrated that clients would be jeopardized or exploited.

Question 38

Ethnocentrism involves:

A) judging others based upon their beliefs.
B) judging others based upon our beliefs.
C) an attempt to be open to cultural diversity.
D) assisting others in feeling good about their racial and social backgrounds.

Question 39

Stereotyping others is:

A) judging them based on objective research results.
B) judging them on assumed group characteristics.
C) an appropriate method of grouping clients.
D) none of the above.

Question 40

Which of the following is a good way for the correctional counselor to avoid problems related to ethnocentrism?

A) assume a more ethnically sensitive approach.
B) adopt the approach of unicultural counseling.
C) learn to appreciate individuals as belonging to a larger group.
D) none of the above.

Question 41

What special needs do female clients often present to counselors?

A) problems with their relationships with other clients.
B) problems with their relationships with their children.
C) problems caused by physical abuse in their past.
D) both b and c

Question 42

Which of the following is one of the fastest-growing subpopulations of justice-involved individuals since the 1960s?

A) people who are minority.
B) people who are recidivistic.
C) people who are poorly educated.
D) people who are mentally ill.

Question 43

Clients with "special needs" are those with:

A) severe mental illnesses
B) developmental disabilities
C) substance abuse problems
D) all of the above

Question 44

In which of the following situations might a corrections counselor have to breach client confidentiality?

A) when a client discloses their intention to escape the facility.
B) when a client discloses their intent to harm themselves.
C) when a client discloses the intent to harm a third party.
D) all of the above.

Question 45

Which of the following techniques reflects the strategy of "redirection" in the "3Rs"?

A) Focus on client's contribution to problem/conflict.
B) Place a positive spin on the resistance.
C) Ask challenging, open-ended questions.
D) Paraphrase resistance with attention to its underlying (criminal) meaning.