Question 1

A recent survey of doctorate student practitioners revealed the following about the use of psychotherapeutic techniques:

Accepted Answer

The statement includes all three options A, B, and C. Practitioners reported using more techniques outside their primary theoretical orientation than from their own, an overall 23 techniques were utilized by 127 practitioners, and trying to understand the world from the client's perspective was the top technique used. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 2

Which of the following therapies best fits the description that marital distress stems from maladaptive and troubled forms of emotions in the context of romantic relations?

Accepted Answer

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a therapy approach that focuses on emotional experiences and helps couples identify and express the emotions that underlie their problems. EFT posits that unexpressed or misunderstood emotions are often at the root of relationship distress. This therapy helps couples understand their emotional patterns and learn how to interact with each other in healthier and more adaptive ways.

Question 3

Pete has been struggling with alcohol dependence for several years. His wife, Sarah, is urging him to get help. The best treatment for Pete may be:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pete has been struggling with alcohol dependence...

Question 4

"Caring days" are when:

Accepted Answer

"Caring days" refer to partners spending an entire day doing nice things for each other without expecting anything in return. This promotes caring and appreciation within the relationship. Options A, B, and D do not specifically relate to the concept of "caring days."

Question 5

The approach to therapy espoused by Lazarus encourages:

Accepted Answer

Lazarus' approach to therapy emphasizes the importance of using a range of techniques and strategies to address a client's problems. This approach is known as multimodal therapy and involves assessing and treating clients across seven different domains: behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal factors, and biological factors. The goal of this approach is to tailor treatment to the individual client's needs and to minimize the chances of overlooking an important aspect of their difficulties.

Question 6

What is one problem with couples therapy research?

Accepted Answer

All of the above options are problems with couples therapy research. It tends to exclude certain populations (such as homosexual and cohabitating couples), focuses primarily on couples who want to stay together, and often involves middle-class, white couples.

Question 7

Tina and Patrick are attending couples therapy. Tina is the one who made the appointment; Pat is there to make Tina happy. The therapist and Tina do most of the talking, and Pat is wondering why he's there. It seems that the therapist has created a:

Accepted Answer

A split alliance occurs when the therapist forms an alliance with one member of the couple (or family) but not with the other(s), which can lead to one person feeling left out or marginalized in the therapy process, as described in the scenario with Pat.

Question 8

Barry is depressed and his wife Rhonda encourages him to seek therapy. He is reluctant, but agrees to go so long as she joins him. What is the likelihood that couples therapy will help Barry's depression?

Accepted Answer

Couples therapy can be helpful for depression when there are relationship issues contributing to the depression. In this case, it is possible that Rhonda may be contributing to Barry's depression and couples therapy can help them learn new ways of interacting and communicating with each other. It is important though for the therapist to help balance the sessions and ensure that both individuals have a chance to share and work on their own issues as well.

Question 9

Emotion-focused couples therapy has three phases:

Accepted Answer

Emotion-focused couples therapy has three phases: de-escalation of maladaptive cycles, changing interactional positions, and consolidation. The first phase involves reducing the conflict and tension between the partners, and the second phase is focused on shifting the couple's interactional patterns to promote more positive emotions and behaviors. Finally, the third phase consolidates the gains made in the first two phases and helps to cement the new, positive relationship patterns. Options A, C, and D do not fully capture the three main phases of emotion-focused couples therapy.

Question 10

Couples and family therapy started at the:

Accepted Answer

The Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, was a pioneering center for developing and applying systemic approaches to family therapy, significantly contributing to the field's evolution.

Question 11

Jen and Jon have been married for a few years and have hit a bit of a rough patch. They decide to see a counsellor to try to work things out. What is the likelihood that they will no longer have significant relationship dissatisfaction at the end?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that couples who seek counselling have a 50% chance of experiencing improvement in their relationship satisfaction. While there is no guarantee of complete resolution, the odds are encouraging for Jen and Jon.

Question 12

Most clinical training programs train students in:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most clinical training programs train students in:
...

Question 13

The primary focus of technical eclecticism is:

Accepted Answer

Technical eclecticism combines interventions from multiple therapeutic approaches but is grounded in a singular theoretical framework. This approach is focused on applying techniques that have been found to be effective across multiple theories, and applying them in a way that is consistent with an overarching theoretical perspective. Option B is partially correct, but technical eclecticism is not solely concerned with interventions that are shared by all schools of therapy - rather, it is focused on identifying effective interventions from multiple approaches. Option C is incorrect, as technical eclecticism does not necessarily seek to blend all theories into a single paradigm, but rather to apply techniques consistently within a single theoretical framework. Option D is incorrect, as technical eclecticism is about using interventions from multiple schools of therapy, rather than binding all treatments to a single therapy school.

Question 14

Couples therapy does not work for all couples. Couples for whom it is least successful are those in which:

Accepted Answer

Couples therapy may not be as effective for couples where one partner has a psychological disorder, as the underlying mental health issue can interfere with the therapy process and inhibit progress. However, this does not mean that couples therapy cannot be beneficial in some cases, and each situation should be evaluated on an individual basis.

Question 15

Couples therapists practice from a _______ theoretical orientation.

Accepted Answer

Couples therapy can be conducted from a variety of theoretical orientations, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to relationships. Different couples have different needs and challenges, and therapists may draw from various theoretical frameworks such as cognitive-behavioural, client-centered, psychodynamic, or integrative approaches to tailor their therapy to the couple's specific situation.

Question 16

Alyssa is nearly finished her clinical training program. She is discussing her training with her clinical supervisor and is expressing concern that the bulk of her training has been from only one theoretical orientation - CBT. The reason behind her concern is that:

Accepted Answer

Research shows that no single theoretical orientation is superior to others in treating all psychological disorders. It is important for therapists to have training and knowledge in multiple theoretical orientations to be able to customize treatment for each individual client. Having training in only one theoretical orientation can limit the therapist's ability to provide diverse and effective treatments.

Question 17

Which of the following is not one of the components of Greenberg and Johnson's emotion-focused couples therapy?

Accepted Answer

Understanding how early childhood relationship patterns affect the current relationship is not a component of Greenberg and Johnson's emotion-focused couples therapy. The other options (de-escalation of the maladaptive cycle, consolidation, arriving at new positions and cycles of attachment behavior) are all components of the therapy.

Question 18

What are the basic principles of Integrative Behavioural Couples Therapy (IBCT)?

Accepted Answer

IBCT incorporates all three basic principles of reinforcement principles, behavioural exchange and communication training, the notion of emotional acceptance, and recognition of the importance of actions and inactions of the partners.

Question 19

Saul, in treatment for anger, has found that anger control methods have helped him function at work and in relationships better. However, he has also found that identifying the early manifestations of his anger have helped him feel less anger overall, and the need to control it has diminished. He has accomplished this with the same therapist. This is an illustration of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of psychotherapy integration, as Saul has utilized both anger control methods and the identification of early manifestations of his anger to reduce overall anger. Additionally, he has accomplished this with the same therapist, indicating that various therapeutic approaches may have been integrated into his treatment.

Question 20

A common element across therapies, regardless of paradigm, is:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a positive relationship between therapist and client is a common element across therapies, regardless of the paradigm. This is because the therapeutic relationship is considered to be a necessary and important factor in facilitating change and promoting successful outcomes in therapy. Research has consistently shown that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is a predictor of treatment outcome, and that a positive and collaborative relationship between therapist and client is essential for effective therapy. While the other options (focusing on symptoms, challenging irrational beliefs, determining stimuli that control dysfunction) may be important in specific therapies or paradigms, they are not universal across all therapies.

Quiz 17: Outcomes and Issues in Psychological Intervention