CASAC Counselling Domain Practice Exam

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• What are key elements of culturally competent counseling?
• A Rogerian therapist typically views clients as what kind of resource?
• Which framework emphasizes psychosexual stages of development in explaining unconscious conflicts?
• Which term describes the group therapy process where family of origin behaviors are corrected?
• Which term refers to services that respond to an abuser's needs during acute emotional and/or physical distress?
• A counseling progress note should document which of the following?
• Who originated Adlerian Therapy?
• This clinical skill refers to ways in which the clinician demonstrates that she or he is listening to the client through the use of cues.
• The trio of core Rogerian characteristics includes unconditional positive regard, congruence, and which of the following?
• The six steps listed (establish a helping relationship; assure safety; conduct an assessment; give support; assist with action plans; arrange for follow-up) are the steps for which process?
• In Motivational Interviewing, what adherence guideline is emphasized?
• Which practice helps ensure confidentiality when storing client records?
• In this view of alcoholism, the alcoholic is thought to have unmet oral needs, originating in the oral stage of life, from birth to about 18 months. It is believed that seeking oral gratification, especially in a bottle, stems from an unconscious death wish and self-destructive tendencies of the id.
• Which statement about informed consent is true?
• Freud believed that many painful experiences from the first five years are kept buried in the unconscious as a result of which defense mechanism?
• What type of learning is involved when the group helps individuals identify and modify maladaptive interpersonal relationships?
• How is evidence-based practice applied in counseling?
• Which statement best describes boundary management in counseling?
• Developing Adler's spiritual dimension corresponds to which life task?
• What is another name for this therapy that emphasizes the here-and-now focus and the client's ability to resolve problems?
• Adlerian Therapy is often described as which type of therapy?
• What is the purpose of a treatment plan review?
• In contingency management, rewards are typically contingent on which behaviors?
• Negative feelings that are stirred up in the analyst as he/she interacts with the patient - as the patient may remind the analyst of someone from his/her past.
• By watching other group members get better, clients begin to believe that they can get better also.
• What is the counselor's role during relapse crisis?
• Which principle is central to both MET and Motivational Interviewing?
• Which MI skill corresponds to actively acknowledging and reinforcing a client's strengths and efforts?
• Which stage is the final stage in Yalom's model of group development?
• Which component operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification?
• The group therapy situation resembles the early family in a number of ways, thus clients have the tendency to re-experience old family conflicts within the group. The group therapist challenges any maladaptive behavior patterns and roles, because the behavior or role that the client took on in his/her family of origin is often exhibited in the group. If the behavior or role is dysfunctional, it can be corrected rather than allowed to continue in the group.
• How is confidentiality handled with family involvement?
• Which term describes the superego as the conscience and internalized moral standards?
• Which therapeutic factor describes not being alone because others share similar problems?
• The open expression and release of feelings is an important part of group therapy. This is known as what?
• According to Tuckman & Jensen, this phase is the power and control stage, where members vie for the pecking order and the leader must manage conflict to keep the group safe.
• This clinical skill involves the reflection and restatement of what the client said, helping the client stay focused on concerns, feelings, and problems in the here and now.
• What should be included in a psychosocial assessment?
• The Stages of Change model includes which stages?
• Which defense mechanism involves the involuntary removal of threatening thoughts from consciousness?
• Which statement best describes evidence-based practice in counseling?
• What are co-occurring disorders?
• Why is regular treatment plan review important?
• Transference occurs when the patient applies feelings from past relationships to the analyst.
• How do screening/assessment and diagnosis differ?
• Which statement about case formulation is true?
• Which aspect is emphasized by the approach: focusing on the present moment rather than the past?
• According to Tuckman & Jensen, this stage is the intimacy stage, and the group is beginning to build cohesion.
• In the Stages of Change model, which stage involves awareness of the need to change but without committing to taking action?
• Which component operates on the reality principle and mediates id impulses without harming the superego?
• What is the primary goal of Motivational Interviewing in substance use counseling?
• Which clinical skill involves attending skills and reflective listening?
• Which component is the conscience and the internalization of moral standards?
• When should a counselor refer a client to another professional or higher level of care?
• In Motivational Interviewing, what is the difference between a simple reflection and a complex reflection?
• A counseling progress note should typically include which of the following regarding the client's response to interventions?
• Which is a core characteristic of a Rogerian (person-centered) therapist?
• The genuineness of a Rogerian therapist is called what?
• In psychoanalytic theory, the mind is made up of three forces that compete with each other.
• This technique of psychoanalytic therapy has the therapist acting as an expert to explain the meaning of the patient's concerns and the meaning of unconscious material.
• Which stage is associated with ending and separation as the group dissolves?
• How do family and social networks influence recovery?
• Which of the following is NOT a stage in Yalom's model?
• Universality description: Clients often enter therapy feeling they are all alone. In the group, they hear others share similar problems and they begin to feel they are not alone.
• This clinical skill consists of dealing openly with issues that are present in the clinical relationship.
• The analyst's own emotional reaction to the patient that is triggered by past relationships.
• When addressing cultural and linguistic barriers, which action is recommended?
• Which is characteristic of the Working stage in Yalom's model?
• This clinical skill consists of offering a different perspective on a situation the client is facing.
• Which clinical skill involves working with the client to examine various options?
• Which description best captures the essence of person-centered therapy?
• Which clinical skill involves restating content that has generated emotion from the client, capturing the core of the client’s feeling?
• Yalom's four stages of group development are listed in which correct order?
• Which set of strategies is effective for addressing resistance in counseling?
• Developing positive traits to unconsciously mask weaknesses and mistakes.
• The approach is primarily concerned with the client's which aspect?
• This clinical skill occurs when a clinician shares something about him/herself for the benefit of the client.
• Clients can learn more about their illness, symptoms, and behavior from education provided by the group therapist. They might also receive advice and direct guidance from peers about how to deal with their problems.
• When should termination be planned, and what should it include?
• In crisis intervention steps, what is the third step after establishing a helping relationship and ensuring safety?
• In a psychosocial assessment, which option best describes its scope?
• Which defense mechanism involves pretending that something that is true is not true?
• Which statement about confidentiality with family involvement is correct?
• Which clinical skill is the ability to perceive another person's experience and communicate that perception back to the person?
• Empathic listening in counseling is best described as?
• Contingency management in substance use treatment primarily relies on what?
• Which of the following is used to measure progress toward goals in treatment planning?
• Which is a core focus of existential therapy?
• Which term describes the development of socializing techniques in group therapy, such as learning to listen and express empathy?
• In Adlerian theory, feelings of inferiority are believed to result from which factors?
• Which item is not part of the OARS core skills in Motivational Interviewing?
• What is a typical structure for a brief one-session intervention?
• This clinical skill includes the therapeutic qualities of empathy and warmth while rephrasing the essence of the client's message.
• Which term describes the ego as mediating between the id and the superego and operating on the reality principle?
• Which clinical skill refers to a verbal response that rephrases the essence of the client's message?
• In risk assessment, which of the following is considered along with danger indicators?
• What best differentiates a goal from an objective in treatment planning?
• Which MI technique involves asking clients to talk about the pros and cons of changing?
• The goal of this type of therapy is to bring material from the unconscious mind to the conscious awareness so that one can change (insight); to work through unresolved issues from various psychosexual stages of development.
• What is the purpose of treatment planning in counseling for SUD?
• Which therapy is most closely associated with a focus on the here and now and client self-directed growth?
• Which defense mechanism involves making problems seem less severe than they actually are?
• Which statement best describes termination planning in counseling?
• Which theory focuses on resolving unconscious conflicts from the past and views behavior as determined by irrational forces and unconscious motivation?
• What is a case formulation in counseling?
• What is meant by client engagement and how is it fostered?
• In Yalom's model, what is the second stage called?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a common ethical consideration in SUD counseling?
• What is informed consent in counseling?
• In psychoanalytic therapy, the patient is asked to state aloud the first words that came to his/her mind.
• Which defense mechanism involves making excuses to avoid acknowledging the pain of one's behavior?
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is best described as?
• How do mindfulness-based strategies support craving management?
• Which statement best describes the ego's primary role in psychoanalytic theory?
• Which clinical skill is the ability to perceive another person's experience and communicate that perception back to the person?
• What are the three stages of crisis intervention?
• Group members model their behavior after other group members and the therapist. What is this phenomenon called?
• Which of the following is NOT one of Adler's five life tasks?
• Which technique involves rehearsing difficult real-life scenarios to practice social skills, such as a job interview?
• The tasks of building cohesion, managing conflict, dismantling subgroups, dealing with challenging members, supporting recovery, and developing group cohesion are the responsibilities of whom?
• Which statement best describes the purpose of client engagement in counseling?
• Which term describes the sense of groupness, closeness, acceptance, and belonging within a therapy group?
• What is the purpose of screening in the counseling process?
• Who originated psychoanalytic theory?
• Which stage represents the separation/adjourning where the group ends?
• Who originated Gestalt Therapy?
• What are the four core skills of Motivational Interviewing represented by the acronym OARS?
• Which of the following is NOT typically listed as a Gestalt therapy technique?
• What is a primary goal of existential therapy?
• Psychoanalytic theory describes development through which type of stages?
• Which stage of change follows Action and involves maintaining new behaviors?
• Which elements are typically identified in a relapse prevention plan?
• Which clinical skill is the process by which the counselor relates the vague aspects of the client in direct expression of feelings and experiences in specific concrete terms to assist the client to develop more functional coping skills?
• In Tuckman's model, which stage is characterized by a cohesive group where members are comfortable helping each other grow and change?
• This psychiatrist defined eleven therapeutic factors of group treatment.
• This clinical skill is the process of restating the content that had generated emotion from the client, helping the client become aware of his or her own expressed emotions without interpretation.
• Which practice would be inappropriate in Rogerian therapy?
• Which outcome best describes interpersonal learning in group therapy?
• Which therapeutic factor involves learning that one can help others, boosting self-esteem?
• Relapse is described as a process rather than an event. Which statement best reflects this concept?
• Which goal is most closely associated with catharsis in group therapy?
• Which term refers to bringing unconscious material to conscious awareness in order to gain insight?
• Which therapeutic factor is described as education and peer guidance about illness?
• Which of the following describes effective strategies for addressing resistance in counseling?
• What is a functional analysis (ABC analysis) used for in relapse prevention?
• According to Tuckman & Jensen, this phase is the first one in which members may be somewhat uncomfortable with each other, and the leader may need to be quite active to help them learn to trust each other.
• Who are the two originators of existential therapy?
• Provide an example of a culturally adapted MI technique.
• This clinical skill involves the use of a statement or question to raise some discrepancy within the client.
• Why is maintaining a nonjudgmental stance important in SUD counseling?
• In Rogerian therapy, the primary focus is on which aspect of the client?
• Existential therapy is well-suited for clients dealing with which issue?
• Clients often enter treatment with the belief that they have nothing of value to offer others. In groups, clients learn that they are capable of helping others. Their self-esteem is enhanced as a result of helping others, and they become less absorbed in their problems.
• How should progress toward goals be measured in treatment planning?
• Which factor demonstrates hope by watching others improve?
• Which quality is often present in the Transition stage of Yalom's model?
• What is the main characteristic of Yalom's first stage 'Initial'?
• Gestalt therapy emphasizes awareness of what in the here and now?
• Which frame of reference states that anxiety and illness arise from confronting ultimate existential concerns such as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness?
• What determines intervention intensity in counseling?
• What are the key components of a relapse prevention plan?
• This clinical skill involves the tying together of the main points, themes, and issues presented by clients during part or all of a session.
• Which action is a fundamental step in addressing confidentiality in counseling?
• In group counseling for addiction treatment, which facilitator characteristic supports participant engagement?
• An acute physical and/or emotional event during treatment that threatens progress and increases relapse risk is called what?
• The patient unconsciously responds to the analyst, as if he/she were a significant other from his/her past, often a parental figure.
• Accurate empathy refers to which therapist behavior?
• A risk assessment in counseling involves evaluating what?
• The Five Stages of group development identified by Tuckman & Jensen, 1977 are
• How do crisis events differ from routine appointments in SUD counseling?
• This clinical skill involves asking open-ended questions to clarify information and to help the client toward a new understanding.
• Gestalt therapy uses experiential methods such as which?
• In CBT for substance use, what is cognitive restructuring?
• If a client refuses consent to share information with a third party, what is the counselor's appropriate action?
• Which defense mechanism allows us to attribute to another what you are actually experiencing?
• In Gestalt therapy, which concept is central?
• Which of the following demonstrates a culturally adapted MI approach?
• Which elements are essential to structure a group counseling session in addiction treatment?
• In psychoanalytic therapy, the analyst listens to dreams and believes that a great deal of unconscious material can be uncovered in dreams.
• The stage referenced in the above alcoholism view is the oral stage.
• Which term describes the therapist's nonjudgmental acceptance and regard for the client?
• In Tuckman's model, which stage comes before Performing?
• Which option is NOT one of the core Rogerian characteristics?
• Which clinical skill is the act of showing the client that you are listening through nonverbal cues and verbal signals?
• Harm reduction in substance use counseling is best described as?
• Which clinical skill occurs when the counselor restates content that had generated emotion from the client?
• Which practice best maintains professional boundaries in counseling and avoids exploitation?
• What is the purpose of a psychosocial assessment in treatment planning?
• In Motivational Interviewing, what is the guiding principle regarding giving advice?
• Relapse is described as a process rather than an event. Which statement best reflects this concept?
• What is a critical first step in crisis intervention for SUD?