Deck 4: Common Concerns of Beginning Helpers

Question 1

To what is the following statement referring? "It reflects the deep patterning of old experiences in relationships as they emerge in current life."

A)transference
B)obsessive compulsive disorder
C)psychosis
D)relational de já vu

Answer 1

A

Question 2

_____ refers to the unconscious process whereby clients project onto a helper past feelings or attitudes they had toward significant people in their lives.

A)Transference
B)Countertransference
C)Resistance
D)Confrontation

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Simply having feelings toward a client

A)automatically means that the helper is having countertransference reactions.
B)may be an indicator that the helper is feeling deep empathy and compassion for the client.
C)indicates that a referral may be in order.
D)is dysfunctional and creates problems in the counseling process that need to be addresseD.
E)means that the helper is over-identifying with the client's issues.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

If clients will not let themselves get emotionally close to you,it means that

A)they are picking up on your emotional unavailability.
B)they have been abused as children.
C)they have serious pathology,such as schizoid tendencies.
D)none of the above.

Question 5

_____ refers to a variety of behaviors that is sometimes associated with difficult clients,but which needs to be understood and explored in the helping relationship.

A)Transference
B)Countertransference
C)Resistance
D)Confrontation

Question 6

Which of the statements below is not true about transference?

A)It usually operates on an unconscious level.
B)It constitutes a repetition of past material in the present.
C)It causes a distortion in the way clients perceive and react to the counselor.
D)It provides clients with clarity about the real relationship they have with the counselor.

Question 7

If you had a client who appeared to work very hard at getting you to push him or her away,what would be the most therapeutic way of dealing with this situation?

A)Explore with the client how this behavior could be serving him or her.
B)Let the client know that you are aware of his or her games and that you refuse to be manipulated.
C)Tell your client that if this pattern continues,you'll certainly discontinue seeing him or her.
D)Refer the client to another helper.
E)Blame yourself for being deserving of this kind of treatment.

Question 8

_____ refers to the unrealistic reactions that therapists have toward their clients,which are likely to interfere with their objectivity in the counseling process.

A)Transference
B)Countertransference
C)Resistance
D)Confrontation

Question 9

If clients have an expectation that you will take care of them in ways that their parents never did,it probably means that

A)they are delusional.
B)they are experiencing countertransference.
C)they are experiencing transference.
D)you have offered them false promises.

Question 10

It is useful to think of resistance as:

A)something to be gotten around quickly so that clients can change.
B)a client's stubborn attempt to remain in safe ways.
C)a phenomenon that will destroy a working relationship.
D)the very material that can productively be explored in the helping relationship.
E)as the fault of an ineffective helper.

Question 11

The following is a sign to watch in recognizing countertransference:

A)Being quick not to accept certain types of clients.
B)Getting highly emotional and lost in the client's world.
C)Feeling regularly depressed after seeing a particular client.
D)Continually running overtime with certain clients.
E)All of the abovE.

Question 12

The following is an example of a counseling situation that could lead to countertransference:

A)You have been a victim of domestic abuse and your male client discloses that he hit his wife because he couldn't get her to stop nagging him about his drinking.
B)Your client is having problems with her 16-year-old daughter who keeps running away from home.Your own teenage daughter recently did the same thing and you are still reeling from the incident.
C)Your client is having problems making a decision about his career.You remember having similar struggles before deciding to go into the helping field.
D)all of the above

Question 13

Michael is seeking counseling because he is lonely and is looking for ways to meet people.You suggest various places to meet others,yet each suggestion is met with a "Yes,but" response.Frustrated,you sense that you are working harder than Michael to generate solutions.You should

A)tell him how frustrated and discouraged you feel.
B)renegotiate with the client what he wants.
C)continue to suggest other alternatives until Michael reacts positively.
D)refer the client to another person who may offer better suggestions.

Question 14

Which of the following is least likely to be an example of a transference situation?

A)Clients who make you into something you are not.
B)Clients who want information about the helping process.
C)Clients who displace anger onto you.
D)Clients who are not able to accept boundaries.
E)Clients who easily fall in love with you.

Question 15

The Corey's encourage trainees to approach resistive behaviors with

A)impatience and judgment.
B)interest and respect.
C)complete neutrality.
D)intermittent reinforcement.
E)a hidden agenda.

Question 16

Jane arrives at each weekly counseling session with a disaster.She usually starts each session with,"You won't believe what happened to me this week..." and continues with a litany of woes.The most appropriate counselor response would be:

A)You need to examine the way you thrive on chaos.
B)You must feel overwhelmed by all those problems.
C)Why don't you sit quietly for a moment and reflect on what is the one concern that is most pressing to you at this time.
D)You need to look at the part you are playing in all these situations.
E)We need to set some goals to overcome some of the adversities in your lifE.

Question 17

John seeks your help because his wife has threatened to leave him if he doesn't improve his communication.He tells you that he is a loner and that his wife knew that when she married him.John claims that their marriage is fine and is there only to appease his wife.An ineffective way to deal with John would be to

A)challenge his attitude,in order to break down his defenses and look at the part he is playing in the breakdown of the relationship.
B)ask John how he is being affected by his wife's problems,which may lead to problems that he wants to deny.
C)direct your questioning to how John felt when he approached the office for the counseling session.
D)ask John what areas he thinks that his wife needs help with.

Question 18

Every time Dan arrives at his therapist's office for a session,she runs late because the previous client seems to need extra time at the end of his sessions.Dan is livid and complains quite loudly that he is angry and wants to know why she is always running late for her appointments.You can assume that

A)he is simply manifesting transference and this needs to be processed with Dan.
B)he is exhibiting an irrational response triggered from a past situation.
C)his anger could be a justifiable reaction.
D)Dan is self-centered and wants immediate attention upon his arrival to the office.

Question 19

A sign that countertransference may be occurring is when the counselor recognizes that he or she

A)is not easily irritated by the client.
B)feels intense anger toward a person that the counselor hardly knows.
C)allows the pain of the grieving client to be manifested.
D)is aware that the client is typically working much harder than the counselor during the session.
E)usually doesn't let a client run overtime unless there is a good reason for doing so.

Question 20

Barbara constantly compliments and attempts to flatter her counselor with statements such as: You're such a neat person.I'm glad that you're my counselor.You are the reason that I am feeling better.The best counselor response would be

A)I'm pleased that you see me in a positive light,but more important is the fact that you are feeling better because you are willing to work on yourself and do the things that are necessary for change.
B)I'm glad that I'm your counselor too.We seem to have a good relationship and I seem to be helping you feel better about yourself.
C)It's good to work with a client who appreciates my efforts.
D)I'm sure you would work well with anyone.
E)We make a good team.

Question 21

A sign of a competent counselor is the ability to eliminate countertransference reactions altogether.

Question 22

Clients who make demands on helpers and who are unable to recognize boundaries often exhibit transference reactions.

Question 23

The best way to handle a client's resistance is for the helper to confront the client in an abrasive manner so that he or she is caught off guard.

Question 24

Transference is a phenomenon that occurs in long-term psychotherapy,but does not occur in brief therapy.

Question 25

You can never become too invested in getting well-defended clients to change.

Question 26

It is highly unlikely that a client who views his therapist with great admiration and affection will also feel ambivalent about him.

Question 27

Anxiety can render an intern unable to pay attention to the client;thus,interns who feel anxious should find a new professional path to follow.

Question 28

Clients who talk excessively often are displaying resistance.

Question 29

When the Coreys discuss involuntary clients,they are always referring to court mandated clients.

Question 30

Practitioners who have feelings toward a client can be certain that they are experiencing countertransference reactions.

Question 31

Resistant clients often make helpers feel incompetent and bring out their feelings of inadequacy and anger.

Question 32

Clients who rely on their intellect much of the time tend to be defensive,yet those who constantly express emotions may also be using their behavior as a defense.

Question 33

Recognizing and dealing therapeutically with transference and countertransference are major concerns for most practitioners.

Question 34

Self-knowledge is the helper's most basic tool in dealing effectively with transference and countertransference.

Question 35

Countertransference is an indication that a therapist has major personality problems.

Question 36

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to facing a new or threatening situation.

Question 37

Helpers who work with the seriously ill or dying are particularly vulnerable to the effects of countertransference.