Deck 7: Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy

Question 1

Existential counselors will help clients to focus on changing themselves when the situation is unchangeable.How might the counselor accomplish this?

A) By helping a client whose mother has died focus on the pain and turmoil of the loss.
B) By helping a client with inoperable cancer fight death until fighting is no longer possible.
C) By helping a client who is failing high school find the loop hole in the admission. process for college in order to get into a decent institution.
D) By helping a client going through a difficult divorce examine how his choices in dealing with the divorce will impact his children in the long term.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Existential counseling requires facing the reality of death,loneliness,and responsibility for one's life.This requires the counselor to promote __________ in the client.

A) answers
B) courage
C) self-centeredness
D) affirmation

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which statement below best represents the existential concept of freedom and responsibility?

A) A person's greatest freedom is how he/she chooses to make meaning and respond to life circumstances.
B) A person's life is determined by God, genetics, and family, not choice.
C) Real choice in life is impossible because we have conditioned automatic responses.
D) Freedom comes automatically to people, without responsibility.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

According to Irving Yalom,there are four areas existential counseling helps clients address.All of the following are addressed in existential counseling with clients EXCEPT:

A) death and anxiety.
B) inclusion and authority.
C) freedom and responsibility.
D) isolation and relationship.

Question 5

Existential counselors rely most heavily on ______________ to promote change for their clients.

A) the counseling relationship
B) a special agent
C) the counselor's interventions
D) the counselor's interpretation

Question 6

One of the primary concerns with a client who has an alternative sexual identity is the _______________________________.

A) potential to live from an inauthentic person to avoid negative social consequences
B) inability of the client to fit in with societal expectations
C) countertransference of the counselor who may hold different values than the client
D) lack of experience an existential counselor may have in working with clients of varying sexual orientations

Question 7

The research and evidence base related to the existential approach for counseling indicate the most important quality in counseling is the _______________________________.

A) theoretical orientation
B) interventions
C) instillation of hope
D) counseling relationship

Question 8

Which of the following statements is the best example of a goal in existential counseling?

A) Develop a sense of identity that is less dependent on financial status.
B) Reduce depressed mood.
C) Create greater acceptance of change.
D) Reduce existential anxiety and/or fear of being alone.

Question 9

All of the following statements are thoughtful existential case conceptualizations of Salma's presenting issues EXCEPT:

A) Salma may be able to draw upon her cultural roots to find greater meaning and purpose.
B) Salma's depressive symptoms may be rooted in her parent's rigid rules.
C) Salma may be maintaining minimal levels of satisfaction that keep her from striving for what she wants by blaming her parent's rigid rules.
D) Salma's existential angst may be heightened by being a part of a marginalized group.

Question 10

Existentialists maintain that a person's __________ plays a significant role in their presenting problem/psychopathology.

A) family
B) responsibility
C) fear of death
D) self awareness

Question 11

Which of the following characteristics best describes the stance of existential counselors?

A) promoting responsibility and independence
B) a blank slate
C) reassuring and supportive
D) stating: "I'm right there with you."

Question 12

Salma,the 18-year-old daughter of Iranian immigrant parents,comes to counseling soon after graduating from high school.Salma has lived in the United States since the age of seven and considers herself "acculturated." Salma is currently struggling with her sense of identity as a young adult,reporting some symptoms of depression.She is ready to embrace the world and venture out on her own,but is coming up against her parent's wishes that she remain living at home,work to contribute to the family,and attend the local university.Which of the following goals would be LEAST appropriate for an existential counselor to suggest for Salma in the early phase of therapy?

A) Developing Salma's sense of identity so it is less dependent on her parent's expectations.
B) Increasing Salma's sense of meaning and purpose in her life with her family to decrease symptoms of depression.
C) Increasing Salma's ability to identify significant sources of purpose and life meaning to reduce depression symptoms.
D) Increasing Salma's capacity to tolerate existential angst to reduce identity crisis.

Question 13

Jose is contemplating dropping out of college to tour with his band.In therapy,he expresses experiencing moments of _____________,where he has intense awareness of how each decision irrevocably shapes his life.

A) normal anxieties
B) death anxiety
C) existential angst
D) neuroses

Question 14

In existential counseling,the counselor-client relationship involves cultivating the type of presence that characterizes I-Thou connections.The experience of the client is best described in which of the following statements?

A) The client's inherent tendency to strive for positive growth is activated.
B) The client is able to develop awareness and differentiate self from non-self.
C) The client is encouraged to promote social change to reduce forms of oppression.
D) The client feels "seen" and "heard" on a profound level.

Question 15

A paradoxical intention would be most appropriate for all of the following client problems EXCEPT:

A) fear of public places.
B) fear of isolation.
C) fear of spiders.
D) fear of public speaking.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is a poor cultural adaptation/consideration for an existential counselor working with Salma or any other client from a diverse background?

A) Attend to Salma's relational and conflict resolution patterns.
B) Assess Salma's cultural expectations for collectivism vs. individualism.
C) Adapt existentialist expectations of independence and responsibility.
D) Apply existentialist concepts of freedom and responsibility.

Question 17

An I-Thou relational encounter is best represented by which of the following examples?

A) diagnosing a client
B) a profound moment of witnessing
C) planning a wedding
D) ordering dinner at a restaurant

Question 18

Existential counseling and person-centered counseling work toward _______________ _________________________.

A) curing mental illness
B) helping people live more authentic and self-actualized lives
C) dealing with crises in identity
D) fostering healthy relationships with others

Question 19

Existential angst refers to all of the following EXCEPT:

A) feeling nervousness or agitation about something that is going to happen.
B) contemplating the possibility of a meaningless existence.
C) becoming aware of choices, freedoms, and responsibilities in life.
D) becoming aware of how each decision shapes one's life.

Question 20

Most existentialists believe that life is inherently __________.Existential counselors work with clients to help clients find life __________.

A) fulfilling/fulfillment
B) predetermined/determination
C) purposeful/purpose
D) meaningless/meaning

Question 21

Describe the concept of death anxiety from an existential counseling perspective.

Question 22

What do existential counselors believe about the purpose of life?

Question 23

Describe the I-Thou relationship.

Question 24

How do existential counselors view the goals of therapy?

Question 25

What are three interventions that existential counselors utilize in session? Describe each.