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Chapter 9—Focusing the Counseling Session: Exploring the Story From Multiple
Perspectives
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. According to Ivey, consciousness represents the psychological present. What is the typical length of
the psychological present?
a.
10 to 75 milliseconds
b.
100 to 750 milliseconds
c.
1 to 3 seconds
d.
None of the above
2. Working memory can hold _____ items.
a.
5±2
b.
6±2
c.
7±2
d.
8±2
3. Focusing the interview enables ____.
a.
increased ability to intentionally direct (or not direct) client talk
b.
increased cognitive complexity
c.
broadened understanding through exploring different perspectives
d.
all of the above
4. A number of regions of the ________ are activated attentional task preparation and execution.
a.
prefrontal cortex
b.
right intuitive brain
c.
limbic system
d.
limbic system and the right intuitive brain
5. Focusing often results in ____.
a.
increased cognitive complexity
b.
broadening understanding through looking at different points of view
c.
increased ability to direct client talk (or not direct due to your awareness)
d.
all of the above
6. Clients tend to talk about or focus on topics to which the counselor or interviewer gives primary
attention. This is known as ____.
a.
interviewer focus
b.
topical priorities
c.
selective attention
d.
session structuring
7. Which of the following is a reason to focus client conversation?
a.
The client gives you three full minutes of problematic stories.
b.
The client insists that you start solving issues immediately.
c.
You and the client are overwhelmed by the number of client issues.
d.
All of the above.
8. What was the core emphasis of the second interview with Nelida?
a.
Nelida as an individual.
b.
Nelida’s individual responsibilities.
c.
Nelida’s individual achievements.
d.
Nelida as a being-in-relation.
9. The word problem:
a.
is useful to label clients issues.
b.
is in itself a problem.
c.
offers immediate insight.
d.
identifies in itself solutions.
10. The idea of _____________ suggests that our family and community history and experiences live
within each of us.
a.
citizen of the county
b.
member-of-society
c.
person-in-community
d.
being-in-relationship
11. The idea of person-in-community was developed by ______ (1994), who pointed out that our family
and community history and experiences live within each of us.
a.
Onwuegbuzie
b.
Ogbonnaya
c.
Oberne
d.
Octavio
12. The community genogram is used to help clients understand how their ________ might affect their
current feelings and thoughts.
a.
behavior
b.
hobbies
c.
history
d.
careers
13. The community genogram provides:
a.
an opportunity for the client to present her or his family in an individually-unique way.
b.
a chance to see the client’s community of origin and how it might represent the unique
client’s culture.
c.
an opportunity to compare the community of origin with one’s present community setting.
d.
all of the above.
14. A counselor is most likely looking for ________ and ________ when he or she suggests to the client
that creating a community genogram may be helpful.
a.
"free-form" client activity; client creativity
b.
client developmental history; to identify client strengths
c.
detail client strengths; detail client issues
d.
community of origin; present community
15. What type of client is MOST likely to benefit from a community genogram?
a.
Clients from nuclear families
b.
Clients who can trace their family over time
c.
Adopted clients
d.
All of the above
16. The community genogram is particularly helpful for us in understanding:
a.
the client.
b.
the family.
c.
the client's family contextual issues.
d.
the cultural/environmental/contextual issues.
17. Which of the following can be used to identify personal and multicultural strengths?
a.
Post the community genogram on the wall.
b.
Focus on one single dimension of the community.
c.
Develop two positive stories from groups within the community.
d.
All of the above.
18. The family genogram is ____.
a.
only for family counseling
b.
a good way to help a client focus on family issues
c.
a technique for advanced therapy
d.
all of the above
19. The family genogram is particularly helpful for us in understanding:
a.
the client.
b.
the family.
c.
the client's family contextual issues.
d.
the cultural/environmental/contextual issues.
20. What type of client is likely to benefit from a family genogram?
a.
Adopted clients
b.
First generation Americans
c.
Clients from nuclear families
d.
All of the above
21. When beginning a new interview / counseling relationship, the focus is usually on:
a.
the individual.
b.
the family.
c.
the group.
d.
the cultural / environmental context.
22. "So you learned in your family that trying harder helped work things out?" By using this question, how
is the interviewer trying to focus the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Theme or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Mutuality, immediacy, interviewer
23. "How are your friends helpful to you?" By using this question, how is the interviewer trying to focus
the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Theme or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Cultural context / environmental
24. "Sounds like you are punishing yourself when you are trying so hard to be responsible." By using this
response, how is the interviewer trying to focus the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Theme or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Mutuality, immediacy, interviewer
Instructions: Counselor responses follow. Identify what type of focus the responder is using in the
reply to the following statement.
Client: I just found that I'm pregnant. I don't know who it was, but I have an idea who it is most likely
to be. But, no one is likely to help. My family doesn't know yet and they really deserted me last time I
got in trouble. I've only talked to them a few times and we are starting to get along again, but now ... I
wonder what's going to happen. I just feel lost.
25. Counselor response: "You must feel lost."
This is an encourager with a ____.
a.
focus on the client
b.
focus on the main theme or problem
c.
focus on others
d.
focus on family
26. "As I hear you, Jackson is the likely father; but on the other hand, you really aren't sure? Have
I got that right?" What is the focus of this statement?
a.
Focus on the client
b.
Focus on the main theme or problem
c.
Focus on others
d.
Focus on family
27. What is the focus of the following statement? "You think you know who the father is?"
a.
Focus on the client
b.
Focus on the main theme or problem
c.
Focus on others
d.
Focus on mutuality
28. "What's occurring between you and your mother and father right now?" Where is the focus of this
open question?
a.
Focus on the client
b.
Focus on the main theme or problem
c.
Focus on others
d.
Focus on family
29. "We will work this out together." What is the focus of the statement?
a.
Focus on the client
b.
Focus on the main theme or problem
c.
Focus on mutuality
d.
Focus on the interviewer
30. "Vanessa, we've been working together for two weeks. Today I'm glad you can openly express your
feelings to me." With this response, how is the interviewer trying to focus the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Theme or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Mutuality, immediacy, counselor
31. "I simply didn't know what to do when my mother had the same illness. Is that how you feel?" With
this response, how is the interviewer trying to focus the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Theme or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Mutuality, immediacy, counselor
32. In working with some Asian and Southern European peoples, which focus is often more appropriate
than typical middle-class U.S. focusing?
a.
The individual
b.
The cultural / environmental context
c.
Mutual focus emphasizing "we"
d.
Mutual focus emphasizing different cultures
33. Feminist counseling is more likely than traditional counseling to focus on ____.
a.
the individual
b.
the family
c.
others and their sexism or racism
d.
mutuality
34. Which one of the following statements is NOT true of mutuality focus?
a.
Mutuality can be controversial and should be used infrequently.
b.
Mutuality can be powerful as it uses the interviewer as an instrument.
c.
Mutuality is not a legitimate focus area.
d.
Mutuality focus puts the client and interviewer on an equal level.
35. There are many ways to focus attention in the counseling session. What are other focus possibilities
besides individual client focus, problem focus, and interviewer focus?
a.
Other, family, mutuality, and environmental context
b.
Other, significant relationships, community, and culture
c.
Culture, family, environment, and context
d.
Mutuality, family culture, community and context
36. What is the focus of the following interviewer's statement? "What help have you found in your
community church?"
a.
Focus on the client
b.
Focus on the main theme or problem
c.
Focus on mutuality
d.
Focus on cultural / environmental / contextual issues
37. Multiculturally-oriented counseling is more likely than traditional counseling to focus on ____.
a.
the individual
b.
the family
c.
others and their sexism or racism
d.
the cultural / environmental context
38. Which one of the following statements is NOT true of cultural / environmental focus?
a.
Environmental context is not a legitimate focus area.
b.
Environmental context is person-as-community.
c.
Environmental context is the impact of how the client grew up in community.
d.
Environmental context includes cultural, gender, and race impacts on client development.
39. "Financially, things were tight last time. How will it be this time?" ____ is the primary focus of this
paraphrase and open question.
a.
The client
b.
The main theme or problem
c.
Mutuality
d.
Focus on cultural / environmental / contextual issues
40. What is the focus of the following counselor's statement? "Women often take all the responsibility and
have to stand alone and work it out."
a.
Focus on the client
b.
Focus on the main theme or problem
c.
Focus on mutuality
d.
Focus on cultural / environmental / contextual issues
41. "What do you see in your genogram that reminds you of good times?" By using this question, how is
the interviewer trying to focus the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Problem or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Cultural context / environmental
42. "What are some of the strengths that you gain from your spiritual orientation?" By using this question,
how is the interviewer trying to focus the client?
a.
Client focus
b.
Problem or issue focus
c.
Significant others
d.
Cultural context / environmental
43. Advocacy is ____.
a.
speaking out for your clients
b.
working in the school or community
c.
working for social change
d.
all of the above
44. In which scenario will talking with clients about their issues NOT be enough, and the interviewer may
need to consider advocacy or an approach to resolve a social justice issue?
a.
As an elementary school counselor, you are helping a student who feels overwhelmed with
her homework assignments.
b.
As a personal counselor, you are working with a woman facing divorce.
c.
As a personnel officer, you discover systematic bias against promotion for women and
minorities.
d.
As a high-school guidance counselor, you are helping graduating Seniors prepare their
paperwork for college.
45. Which one of the following examples is NOT an example of a counselor acting for social justice or as
an advocate?
a.
A career counselor helps a 40-year-old business manager face a career change.
b.
A high-school counselor initiates school policies and awareness programs against
oppression in the classroom.
c.
An elementary school counselor works with a child who is being bullied on the
playground.
d.
A social worker helps an abused wife and her children obtain shelter.
46. The focusing skill is closely related to ____.
a.
hippocampus
b.
energizing amygdala
c.
selective attention
d.
non-verbal behavior
COMPLETION
Instructions: The question(s) below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using
in the reply to the following statement:
"I just can't believe how much fun I'm having right now. They call this an exam, but I feel more like
I'm at a party. And not only that, but I'm learning so much at the same time. I just feel so smart and
competent as I answer these questions I could just jump up and down. My parents never told me how
much fun college was going to be. The only problem is the professor's sense of humor. Sometimes I
think he got into teaching because it was the only way he could get away with such bad jokes without
having people leave the room."
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.
a.
Person focus
e.
Mutual issues or group focus
b.
Problem / main theme focus
f.
Interviewer focus
c.
Others focus
g.
Cultural / environmental / contextual focus
d.
Family focus
1. ____ "Several people I talked to had the course last semester and felt so good during an exam that they
actually began to sing."
2. ____ "I agree with you. I only wish I had another test this semester."
3. ____ "Steps need to be taken to improve the humor or eliminate it completely."
4. ____ "Let us lead the class in song!"
5. ____ "Tell me a bit more about your family's reactions?"
6. ____ "Apparently there is a university rule prohibiting excessive jumping up and down with happiness
during an exam."
Instructions: The questions below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using in
the reply to the following statement.
"I'd like to buy a new car, but I'm not sure if I can afford it. The ones I have been looking at seem
terribly expensive. But then, I have a large family and could use the space. But will they be
dependable? And what about gas mileage? What do you think I should do?"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.
a.
Person focus
e.
Mutual issues or group focus
b.
Problem / main theme focus
f.
Interviewer focus
c.
Others focus
g.
Cultural / environmental / contextual focus
d.
Family focus
7. ____ "How would you like to finance? And how much did you plan to spend on a car?"
8. ____ "John, sounds as if you are pretty anxious about your decision."
9. ____ "Your family wants space. What kind of car have they got in mind?"
10. ____ "I really like my Widget. It's made me feel good just to drive it."
11. ____ "Did you know that women and minorities often are charged more for cars than European
American men are?"
Instructions: The question(s) below require you to identify what type of focus the responder is using
in the reply to the following statement.
"I really don't know. It seems clear that my not getting the raise was really unfair ... just because I'm a
woman. It really hurts!"
Identify the kind of focus by its letter.
a.
Person focus
e.
Mutual issues or group focus
b.
Problem / main theme focus
f.
Interviewer focus
c.
Others focus
g.
Cultural / environmental / contextual focus
d.
Family focus
12. ____ "The average woman's pay is 70% of the average man's pay."
13. ____ "Let us take action. We can do it! We've got what it takes!"
14. ____ "As I listen to you, I get very angry with the situation."
TRUE/FALSE
1. A key task of counseling is to help the client restory past experience and develop new memories and
connections.
2. The main focus of individual counseling is conflict, incongruity, and discrepancies between the
individual and family and friends.
3. Debriefing the community genogram is your chance to learn about the developmental history and
cultural background of your client.
4. Counseling is teaching clients how to live or what to believe.
ESSAY
1. Discuss and provide examples of possible effects of cultural differences on the focusing skill.
2. Your client says to you: "The job situation in Puerto Rico is tough right now. So I've been thinking of
moving to the mainland. Whether I should or not isn't clear to me."
Write seven alternative focus statements in the form of open questions, which might be used to
respond to this client.
3. "Wyoming is a lovely peaceful area of the country. Just being here and feeling the mountains every
day is special. I have this opportunity to leave the U. to go to Chicago on a really well-paying job."
Write alternative focus statements of a variety of types (do not repeat any classification of helping
lead. that may be helpful to this client.
4. Focusing has been presented as a technique or skill that could be used to control or free a client.
Explain how focus could be used in both ways and present a coherent argument for use or non-use of
this skill.
5. Discuss the value of a genogram and how listening skills and focusing might be used to help an
individual understand how family issues relate to current concerns.
6. How can the family genogram be criticized from an adoptive, extended family, or alternative view of
family perspective?
7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the community genogram?
8. Discuss the importance of advocacy and social justice in interviewing, counseling, and therapy.
