A

The philosophic stance of a collaborative counselor is based on the belief that the therapeutic relationship is a partnership between the counselor and the client. This approach emphasizes the importance of collaboration, empowerment, and mutual respect in the counseling process.

The collaborative counselor values the client's perspective and actively involves them in the decision-making process. They recognize the client as the expert of their own experience and work to empower them to make positive changes in their lives.

This philosophic stance has a significant impact on the therapeutic relationship. It fosters a sense of trust and mutual respect between the counselor and the client, leading to a more open and honest dialogue. The collaborative approach also helps to create a safe and supportive environment where the client feels heard and understood.

Additionally, the collaborative counselor's emphasis on empowerment and client involvement can lead to more meaningful and sustainable outcomes in therapy. Clients are more likely to take ownership of their progress and be motivated to make lasting changes when they are actively involved in the therapeutic process.

Overall, the philosophic stance of a collaborative counselor enriches the therapeutic relationship by promoting collaboration, empowerment, and mutual respect, ultimately leading to more effective and impactful counseling outcomes.

The statement "The more one tries to change (and be who one is not), the more one stays the same" reflects a paradoxical observation about human behavior and personal development. It suggests that when individuals attempt to alter their fundamental nature or adopt characteristics that are not genuinely their own, they often fail to achieve meaningful change. Instead, their core identity persists, and their efforts may even reinforce the very traits they are trying to modify.

This concept can be understood from several perspectives:

1. Psychological resistance: People often have deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are resistant to change. When they try to act in ways that are contrary to their authentic selves, they may experience internal conflict or cognitive dissonance. This discomfort can lead to a reversion to their original state, negating the attempted changes.

2. Authenticity: Authenticity is the degree to which one is true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures. Efforts to change in ways that conflict with one's authentic self can feel forced or inauthentic, making it difficult for such changes to stick. People are generally more successful at making changes that align with their true selves.

3. Self-sabotage: Sometimes, individuals may unconsciously sabotage their efforts to change because the new identity or behavior feels uncomfortable or they fear the unknown. This self-sabotage can manifest in various ways, such as procrastination, making excuses, or engaging in behaviors that undermine the desired change.

4. Identity and self-concept: A person's self-concept is a powerful force that shapes behavior. If someone's self-concept is at odds with the changes they are trying to make, they may find themselves reverting to behaviors that are consistent with their established identity. For example, if someone sees themselves as a "shy person," they may struggle to maintain a more outgoing persona.

5. The illusion of change: Sometimes, the changes one tries to make are superficial and do not address underlying issues or core aspects of one's personality. In such cases, the more one tries to change, the more apparent it becomes that the fundamental aspects of the person remain unchanged.

To achieve lasting change, it is often necessary to embark on a deeper process of self-discovery and growth that involves understanding and working with one's inherent traits rather than against them. This may involve setting realistic goals, seeking support from others, and developing a greater sense of self-awareness. Change that is congruent with one's values and sense of self is more likely to be sustainable and fulfilling.

B

Answers may vary. When one person is perceived as the source of the family's difficulties, your task is to challenge this linear thinking by asking others about their role in creating and maintaining the problem. Unfortunately, this level of generosity is not always present in families, as there is a tendency to blame or label behavior, generally in negative terms. In these instances, you can move to counteract patterns of attributing blame by using the technique of delabeling. Rather than focusing on a member's perception of behavior, delabeling emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the problem. Use of the technique can also set the stage for each member to identify positive behaviors that each would like from the other.

D

The statement "cognitive behavioral goals are specific and measurable" refers to the objectives set within the framework of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. CBT is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including phobias, addiction, depression, and anxiety.

When setting goals in CBT, it is important that these goals are:

1. **Specific**: Goals should be clear and precise, rather than broad or vague. This means that rather than setting a goal like "I want to feel better," a specific goal would be "I want to reduce my anxiety levels from a 9 out of 10 to a 5 out of 10 on the anxiety scale," or "I want to challenge and reframe my negative thoughts about my performance at work at least once a day."

2. **Measurable**: Goals should be quantifiable so that both the therapist and the client can monitor progress. This could involve using scales to rate feelings, counting the frequency of certain behaviors, or keeping a journal to document specific thoughts and the situations in which they occur. For example, a measurable goal might be "I will practice my breathing exercises for 10 minutes every day to manage panic attacks" or "I will record instances of negative self-talk and develop two positive counterstatements for each."

By setting goals that are specific and measurable, clients and therapists can track progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. This approach helps to ensure that therapy is focused and effective, and it provides a clear structure for the therapeutic process. It also empowers clients by giving them concrete steps to work towards and a way to see the changes they are making in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

B

A

C