Chapter 4: Common Concerns of Beginning Helpers Key
1. The following is an example of a counseling situation that could lead to countertransference:
2. A sign that countertransference may be occurring is when the counselor recognizes that he or she
3. 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
4. Simply having feelings toward a client
5. 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
6. The following is a sign to watch in recognizing countertransference:
7. 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:
8. 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
9. 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
10. _____ refers to the unrealistic reactions that therapists have toward their clients, which are likely to interfere
with their objectivity in the counseling process.
11. _____ refers to the unconscious process whereby clients project onto a helper past feelings or attitudes they
had toward significant people in their lives.
12. _____ 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.
13. It is useful to think of resistance as:
14. Which of the following is least likely to be an example of a transference situation?
15. 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?
16. To what is the following statement referring? “It reflects the deep patterning of old experiences in
relationships as they emerge in current life.”
17. Which of the statements below is not true about transference?
18. The Corey’s encourage trainees to approach resistive behaviors with
19. If clients have an expectation that you will take care of them in ways that their parents never did, it probably
means that
20. If clients will not let themselves get emotionally close to you, it means that
21. Recognizing and dealing therapeutically with transference and countertransference are major concerns for
most practitioners.
22. Clients who make demands on helpers and who are unable to recognize boundaries often exhibit
transference reactions.
23. Countertransference is an indication that a therapist has major personality problems.
24. Practitioners who have feelings toward a client can be certain that they are experiencing countertransference
reactions.
25. Helpers who work with the seriously ill or dying are particularly vulnerable to the effects of
countertransference.
26. A sign of a competent counselor is the ability to eliminate countertransference reactions altogether.
27. Self-knowledge is the helper’s most basic tool in dealing effectively with transference and
countertransference.
28. 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.
29. Resistant clients often make helpers feel incompetent and bring out their feelings of inadequacy and anger.
30. Clients who talk excessively often are displaying resistance.
31. Anxiety can be a normal reaction to facing a new or threatening situation.
32. It is highly unlikely that a client who views his therapist with great admiration and affection will also feel
ambivalent about him.
33. Transference is a phenomenon that occurs in long-term psychotherapy, but does not occur in brief therapy.
34. You can never become too invested in getting well-defended clients to change.
35. 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.
36. When the Coreys discuss involuntary clients, they are always referring to court mandated clients.
37. 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.