Deck 8: Intake Interviewing and Report Writing

Question 1

Which of the following is least likely to be required information to evaluate a client's problem in most situations?

A) Input from the client's family members
B) The client's main source of distress
C) The client's self-reported hierarchy of problems
D) Antecedents and consequences of the problem
E) Direct observation of the client's behaviors.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is true of Lazarus's BASIC ID model?

A) It does not cover cognitive domains very well.
B) It is most useful to interviewers with an object relations theoretical orientation.
C) It deemphasizes spiritual, cultural, and recreational domains.
D) It includes the categories of attention and insight.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

What is the purpose of transitioning from client free expression to more structured interactions?

A) It allows for the therapist to check for any additional problems that the client has not yet talked about.
B) The transition ends the process of goal setting and problem prioritization.
C) It allows for the therapist to evaluate for current functioning.
D) Both A and B
E) Both A and C

Answer 3

A

Question 4

What would be a good strategy to begin directively exploring a client's personal history?

A) "Tell me about your personal history."
B) "Tell me about one of your earliest childhood memories."
C) "What do you remember about your first elementary school teacher?"
D) "Say whatever comes to mind."
E) "What was the most significant thing you experienced as child?"

Question 5

Therapists practicing from a __________ or __________ perspective tend to reject the concept of personality and believe that behavior is the function of a situation or a person's cognitions about a situation.

A) behavioral; cognitive
B) psychoanalytic; person-centered
C) behavioral; person-centered
D) psychoanalytic; cognitive
E) None of the above

Question 6

At what point in the intake interview will the therapist generally switch from a more nondirective listening style to a more structured, directive approach?

A) When the client starts rambling about things that aren't important.
B) When the therapist begins helping a client identify problems or goals.
C) When the therapist needs to finish the interview early.
D) When the client begins to show a lot of emotion.
E) Both B and D

Question 7

Intake interviewing involves getting to know the client and his or her circumstances. It is recommended to follow a certain order or organization to achieve these objectives. Which of the following is the suggested order?

A) Problem, person, goals
B) Person, problem, current functioning
C) Person, time frame, circumstance
D) Problem/goals, person, current functioning
E) Person, current functioning, problem

Question 8

Lazarus's multimodal conceptualization system:

A) Is mainly concerned with clients' relationships.
B) Is designed to analyze clients' problems.
C) Is psychoanalytically based.
D) Is not concerned with clients' current functioning.
E) All of the above

Question 9

Which of the following words best describes the function or purpose of an intake interview?

A) Introductory
B) Informal
C) Assessment
D) Intervention-focused
E) None of the above

Question 10

Thoresen and Mahoney's behaviorally oriented problem conceptualization model does NOT emphasize which of the following?

A) Antecedents
B) Consequences
C) Predictions
D) The behavior itself
E) All of the above are emphasized in the model

Question 11

Why is it preferable for therapists to initially be nondirective when asking about a client's history?

A) It gives the client time to reminisce about past memories and experiences.
B) Therapists can observe what the client chooses to talk about and what she or he avoids, which can reveal significant information.
C) Therapists can observe the client's facial expressions as he or she relives past traumatic memories.
D) The client will feel less anxious when an therapist is nondirective.
E) Both A and B

Question 12

When a client discloses a painful memory, the best thing a therapist can do is:

A) Reassure the client that the past is behind him or her now.
B) Ask a different question to direct the client toward more positive material.
C) Listen well and empathize.
D) Listen well and sympathize.
E) Continue to question the client so he/she can learn more about the memory.

Question 13

Which of the following areas should the therapist explore when evaluating the client's interpersonal style and personality?

A) Vocational preference
B) Client's readiness for change
C) Evaluation of mental status
D) The current situation
E) None of the above

Question 14

After a client has expressed his or her main reasons for seeking counseling, what could a therapist ask to begin a transition of the interview to personal history?

A) Could you tell me why you decided to come to counseling at this particular time?
B) Can you explain your decision to come to this particular office/agency?
C) Have you considered any alternatives to counseling?
D) Could you tell me a bit about your life growing up or your parents?
E) None of the above

Question 15

A therapist should do all EXCEPT which of the following when probing for a client's personal history?

A) Point out the client's strengths.
B) Allow the client time to freely discuss what he or she feels is significant.
C) Ask about the client's earliest memory.
D) Have the client relive his or her painful memories.

Question 16

Which of the following is/are NOT usually a part of the intake interview?

A) Obtaining information to determine whether or what type of treatment is best suited to the client
B) Assessment in general
C) Team interviewing
D) Both A and B
E) None of the above

Question 17

After several client problems have been identified, which is the best way for a therapist to decide which problem to deal with first?

A) Choose the problem the therapist believes is causing the client the most distress.
B) Choose the problem that can be dealt with most effectively.
C) Choose the problem the client identifies as his or her main concern.
D) Choose the problem the referral source listed as the presenting problem.
E) Choose the problem the therapist feels he/she has the best chance of fixing.

Question 18

Which of following does NOT represent one of the three basic objectives of the intake interview?

A) Identify, evaluate, and explore the chief complaint.
B) Confirm the clinical impressions in the testing report given by the referral source.
C) Obtain a sense of the client's interpersonal style and personal history.
D) Evaluate the client's current life situation.

Question 19

Which type of theorist emphasizes the importance of antecedents and consequences in problem development?

A) Psychoanalytic
B) Behavioral
C) Solution-focused
D) Person-centered
E) Existential

Question 20

The question "What thoughts go through your mind when you are lying in bed unable to sleep?" would correspond to which letter of Lazarus's BASIC ID conceptualization system?

A) B
B) A
C) S
D) I
E) C

Question 21

Therapists practicing from a _________ theoretical orientation are less likely to make use of client registration forms, computerized interviewing procedures, or standardized questionnaires.

A) Person-centered
B) Psychoanalytic
C) Behavioral
D) A and B
E) B and C

Question 22

The intake report must be written for a diverse audience, including all of the following EXCEPT:

A) The client's insurance company.
B) The state and local ethics board.
C) The client's family and friends .
D) The client's attorney.
E) All of the above would be included.

Question 23

Therapists should specifically focus on discussing clients' goals at the __________ of an intake interview.

A) Beginning
B) Middle
C) End
D) Whenever the therapist thinks he/she understand the client's problems best
E) Both A and C

Question 24

When clients first begin articulating their concerns, it is preferable for therapists to use which of the following responses?

A) Nondirective listening responses
B) Directive listening responses
C) Directive action responses
D) All of the above
E) Only A and C

Question 25

It can be helpful for interviewers to reframe clients' problem statements into positive statements about what clients want, because client problems are intimately linked with client:

A) Feelings
B) Emotions
C) Goals
D) Attitudes
E) Cognitions

Question 26

When conducting brief intake interviews, therapists must make three primary modifications. Which of the following is NOT one of those modifications?

A) Therapists must limit their use of questions. B. Therapists must rely more heavily on information from client registration forms.
C) Therapists must spend less time collecting information about personal history.
D) Therapists must restrict the time allowed for client self-expression.
E) Only A and B.

Question 27

When writing an intake report, therapists must consider all of following dimensions, EXCEPT:

A) Keeping the report confidential.
B) Writing clearly and concisely.
C) Choosing the structure and content of the report.
D) Sharing the report with the client.
E) All of the above must be considered.

Question 28

Which of the following statements is true of the intake report?

A) It begins with diagnostic issues and later includes relevant historical information.
B) It will always include a complete mental status report.
C) It begins with more objective data and later includes more subjective judgments and recommendations.
D) It should not include a client's medical history.
E) B and D are both true.

Question 29

The authors suggest that the main purpose of exploring interpersonal and historical issues during an intake interview is so that the therapist can:

A) Provide definitive case formulations
B) Advocate specific client actions or solutions
C) Formulate hypotheses
D) All of the above
E) Both A and B

Question 30

Toward the end of an intake interview, it is important to:

A) Encourage the client to disclose memories he or she may have been avoiding.
B) Offer the client a provisional diagnosis.
C) Review client goals and encourage the client to focus on personal strengths and resources.
D) Do all of the above.
E) Do none of the above.