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Chapter 11- Case Approach to Postmodern Approaches
79. Operating from a social constructionist’s perspective, the therapist would likely take what stand on making a
diagnosis in Ruth’s case?
a. It is essential to develop a treatment plan.
b. It is useful to set the climate for therapy.
c. The therapist would collaborate with Ruth on assigning an appropriate diagnosis.
d. The therapist would develop a working diagnosis which would be firmed up by the third session.
e. Both (a) and (b)
80. At the first session, the social constructionist therapist would primarily be interested in:
a. establishing a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis.
b. explaining to Ruth the theoretical orientation and techniques to be used.
c. what Ruth wants for her future.
d. Ruth’s background pertaining to the development of the problem.
e. giving Ruth a battery of psychological tests.
81. The social constructionist therapist working with Ruth:
a. sees herself in a non-expert position in relation to what is the correct path for Ruth in her life.
b. views her expertise in the area of language and meaning.
c. proposes that reality is created in language between people.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
82. Which of the following is something the solution-focused therapist tends to avoid in working with Ruth?
a. There is a focus on looking for exceptions to the problems that Ruth brings up for discussion.
b. Much of the therapeutic endeavor is devoted to talking about Ruth’s symptoms and promoting insight on her
part so that she can make changes.
c. The emphasis is on Ruth’s strengths, assets, accomplishments, abilities, competencies, skills, and successes.
d. An attempt is made to keep the conversation non-pathological.
e. Ruth is helped to view her problems as something external to herself and to her life.
83. The solution-focused therapist:
a. asks questions about the “news of difference.”
b. attempts to get Ruth to shift from problem-talk to solution-talk.
c. avoids giving Ruth compliments, since doing so can make her dependent on the therapist.
d. makes a tentative diagnosis for treatment purposes before the end of the initial session.
e. both (a) and (b)
84. A narrative therapist’s work with Ruth would be based on the assumption that:
a. change will occur more effectively if the therapist adopts a nondirective stance.
b. mental health is best defined in terms of dominant cultural values.
c. Ruth needs to become the senior partner in the collaborative relationship with the therapist.
d. using techniques tends to undermine the client’s self-direction.
e. both (a) and (b)
85. Narrative therapists believe that “The person is not the problem, but the problem is the problem.” This phrase
illustrates which of the following interventions that is likely to be made with Ruth?
a. mapping the effects
b. deconstruction of a problem-saturated story
c. co-authoring alternative stories
d. externalizing conversation
e. building an audience as a witness to an emerging preferred story
86. The narrative therapist will likely listen respectfully to Ruth’s story, examine with her the problem influences in a
systematic way, and will assist Ruth in moving away from the harmful effects of the problem. This intervention
is best known as:
a. making use of scaling questions.
b. mapping the effects of the problem story.
c. documenting the evidence.
d. conducting a functional assessment.
e. formulating a tentative diagnosis.
87. A narrative therapist would maintain that Ruth’s problems can best be understood:
a. by examining how she originally acquired a problem in the first place.
b. analyzing the role of her parents in contributing to her present dysfunctions.
c. through understanding the socio-cultural and relational contexts.
d. by focusing on her cognitive distortions.
e. exploring her feelings toward the therapist.
Chapter 11