1.              Psychotherapy theorists and researchers have proposed various models of variables that combine to account for the variance in therapeutic outcomes. Lambert (1992) has proposed a model in which 40% of the variance of therapy outcomes is attributed to client/extra-therapeutic variables, 30% is attributed to therapy relationship variables, 15% is attributed to client hope/expectancy, and 15% is attributed to therapist techniques. How would you design a study to examine or test the relative contributions of these four sources (or other sources) of outcome variance? Describe the method/procedures and approach to data analysis.

 

 

2.              You have been working with a client on his addiction problem for several months with some success. At a recent session, he asked if he might bring his wife in to join him in counseling, as his addiction problem has had an understandable impact on their relationship. You agreed to see the husband and wife together; but now after 4 sessions together, the two of them request that you see each of them separately—sharing that they have come to realize that they both have issues on which they would like work on with you individually. Both feel strongly about continuing therapy with you—noting the history that already has been shared, the trust that has been established, etc. What will you do and why? What, if any, are the ethical issues that confront you and that affect your decision making at this point?

 

 

3.              It is generally recognized (although not always attended to in our conceptualizations of cases) that our theories of counseling and of personality are embedded in culture. Describe the cultural embeddedness of Òpositive psychologyÓ and of one other prominent theory of or approach to counseling (e.g., behavioral theory, cognitive theory, systems theory, solution-focused theory, etc.).

 

4.              McFall (1997) has suggested that,  ÒThe most caring and humane psychological services are those that have been shown empirically to be the most effective, efficient and safe. Genuine caring requires the highest level of scientific rigor. Anything less, no matter how well intentioned, is likely to be less beneficial for the individuals being served. The overriding concern of service providers must be to avoid doing harm or making matters worse. Withholding untested and unproved services usually is the most caring and responsible choice.Ó  Agree or disagree with this position, discussing the professional and ethical implications of your position.

 

 

5.              What do you see as the most significant and problematic effect(s) of participant race/ethnicity in psychotherapy research? Give an example from the recent literature. What are some methods by which you could control for these effects?

 

 

6.              It has been asserted that an over-emphasis on psychopathology and an under-emphasis on the strengths of the person are common, even typical, in the counseling of individuals with emotional-behavioral disturbances. What thoughts do you have if you were asked to design a research project that would reveal possible differences it would make with respect to diagnosis and treatment if the assets as well as the deficits of the person were given due weight? What hypotheses or questions would guide your research? Describe your design, and indicate the measures or procedures you would use in data collection.

 

 

7.              Are some psychological problems (e.g., personality disorders) more ÒintractableÓ or impervious to change than others (e.g., mood disorders)? Discuss your view on this issue, supporting your position using theoretical and empirical literature.

 

 

8.              Different psychological theories hypothesize different explanations for psychological symptoms. For example, a symptom may be a defense against anxiety, or a conditioned response, or a tactic for managing interpersonal relationships, etc. What would be required, conceptually and methodologically, to test the distinction between two competing hypotheses regarding the nature of psychological symptoms?

 

 

9.              The following testimony was given before APAÕs Council of Representatives as they considered a proposal to ban therapist sexual involvement with former clients:

 

If being a psychotherapy client makes a person susceptible to strong influences from the therapist for the rest of his/her life (as suggested by several statesÕ prohibition against sexual intimacies with former clients and the proposed change to APAÕs Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct), how can such a former client ever become U.S. President or hold other important positions? CouldnÕt his or her former psychotherapist show up at any time and exercise Svengali-like power, perhaps changing the course of history? If, as a profession, we REALLY believe that former therapists can have such preternatural power over former clients, then we must be extremely careful about who has responsibility in our society. We can't let former clients, each one of them a potential Manchurian Candidate, ever be put in responsible positions. If we DO NOT believe that former therapists have such everlasting power over patients, then why is there a movement to specifically prohibit sexual relationships long after psychotherapy has ended?

 

How would you respond to this testimony? What is your position on the issue of prohibiting therapists from engaging in sexual relationships with former therapy clients, and on what do you base your position?

 

 

10.            In counseling research, ÒadherenceÓ refers to the fidelity or integrity that counselors conform to the techniques of an intended therapy condition. ÒDifferentiabilityÓ refers to the degree to which raters can tell, based on descriptions of various intended therapy conditions, which type of therapy is being conducted. ÒQualityÓ or competence refers to how well counselors implemented the intended treatments. Design a study that would examine the role of (a) adherence, (b) differentiability, and (c) quality on the outcome of two different approaches to therapy. Include in your answer your method for analyzing your data.

 

 

11.            You are sitting in your office waiting for your next client when you hear a commotion in the waiting room and as you get up to check it out, the receptionist buzzes you and in a harried voice announces your next appointment has arrived and has a few questions. You greet a clearly hostile individual who is holding the intake paperwork in hand and muttering loudly and angrily, "I thought that counseling was supposed to be private and confidential!" "What's this stuff about limits to confidentiality and this HIPAA thing?" "And what's this business about a 'diagnosable mental condition in order to use my insurance and having to report child abuse? Are you already assuming that I'm crazy and that I abuse my kids? I just don't know if this is the right place for me, I mean it took a lot for me to make this appointment and come here and now I get this malarkey?" You ask if the client is willing to step into your office to discuss these concerns and as the client follows you, you are composing your response. So, how do you respond to this client? How would the concept of informed consent apply to this situation? Take each objection of the client's and describe how informed consent would take place. What does our profession say about diagnosis, what's your stance on diagnosis and how do you explain the role of diagnosis to a client?

 

 

12.            Clearly describe the extrapolation and application of any specific social or behavioral psychological theory to client behavior change in counseling. Include a description and explanation of the theory, and provide specific examples of at least two (2) therapeutic interventions based on the theory and the constructs and/or principles of the theory from which the therapeutic interventions derive.

 

 

13.            Although the symptomology of depression is fairly homogeneous, several subclassification systems of depression have been proposed. Describe the various subcategories of depression and evaluate the etiological and clinical evidence supporting them.

 

 

14.            Many mental health professionals Òblame the clientÓ when treatment isnÕt effective—e.g., the client was resistant, the client didnÕt want to change, etc. Others, however, place the ÒblameÓ squarely on the counselor—e.g., the counselor lacked the necessary skill to artfully maneuver the client through their resistance. And of course, others distribute the blame more or less equally to both the counselor and the client. Describe and justify the criteria or rules you would use in deciding how to attribute fault for therapeutic failure in counseling. Be specific and cite relevant theory and research.

 

 

15.            Resistance is a concept that appears in numerous views or theories regarding the counseling process. Compare and contrast the meaning of ÒresistanceÓ as would be defined or described in any two of the following theories: (a) psychodynamic theory, (b) cognitive theory, (c) client-centered theory, (d) behavioral theory.

 

 

16.            A number of theories of counseling postulate a sequence of stages within the counseling process. Select one theory that postulates such stages. Outline that theoryÕs process stages in their order of occurrence. Specify clearly and concretely how you would identify each stage (i.e., if you were to observe a videotape of a segment of a counseling session, how would you deduce that stage in the counseling process?). As a counselor, how (if at all) would you vary your behaviors, attitudes and expectations toward your client from stage to stage? Can process stages be defined independently of your behavior as therapist, or does your behavior define the stages?

 

 

17.            Confronting both the counseling practitioner and researcher is a paradox emanating from much of the research literature on both process and outcome. The paradox is that despite numerous studies showing differences in techniques, process, and therapy content, there is no substantial evidence to date that establishes the differential effectiveness produced by different therapies. If you assume this conclusion to be true, what are at least three consequences for the practice of counseling psychology? Assuming that you donÕt believe the conclusion, what would you propose doing differently from what has been done in an attempt to provide evidence contrary to the conclusion?

 

 

18.            How would a contemporary behavioral theoretician explain the therapeutic effectiveness of the following approaches?

A)             Client centered therapy

B)             Psychodynamic therapy

C)             Cognitive therapy

 

 

19.            With existing measures, within a realistic budget, and adhering to ethical principles, design/outline a quantitative empirical study that could be used to evaluate the efficacy of multicultural counseling. Be specific about the design, conditions, participants, constructs and measures that would be used. Discuss the reasons for your decisions (e.g., control to various threats to validity) and evaluate the strengths and potential shortcomings of this design. Anticipate potential rival interpretations (e.g., interpretations that explain the results other than the efficacy of multicultural counseling) and discuss how these were controlled and which ones cannot be eliminated with the study design.

 

 

20.            Describe the threats to validity for the one-group pretest-posttest design. Illustrate the nature of each of these threats using the following situation: clients referred to counseling were given a pretest before entering counseling and immediately following termination. A t-test of the pre/posttest differences was computed to test the hypothesis that therapy was beneficial.

 

 

21.            Identify an issue within counseling psychology that is of interest to you. Describe how you would develop a program of research related to that topic. Indicate, for example, how you might move from the laboratory to the field or vice versa, and how each stage would affect the hypotheses tested at the succeeding stage.

 

 

22.            What would be the criteria you would use to determine whether a client would benefit from short-term therapy? How would you apply these criteria in agreeing to work with a client, in monitoring the clientÕs progress, and in terminating a client?

 

 

23.            You have been asked to provide counseling services to an individual client whose presenting problem is to be selected from the list below. Specify what steps (including a timeline) would be taken from the point of initial orientation through clinical termination and follow-up. Include a description of which specific assessment and intervention techniques you would use and the theoretical rationale behind your approach and interpretation of data. Select one of the following as the clientÕs presenting problem:

 

Low self-esteem; Insomnia; Depression; Stress at work; ÒMidlife crisisÓ; Adult recollection of childhood abuse; Non-assertiveness; Test anxiety

 

 

24.            Choose two theoretical approaches to counseling (e.g., cognitive, psychodynamic, client-centered) and for each theory select appropriate instrumentation for monitoring and evaluating the counseling process and for evaluating the counseling outcome. Justify that instrumentation in terms of the goals of counseling as defined by those theories.

 

 

25.            Many claim that ethically it is inappropriate to deliver services in the absence of empirical evidence that the treatment is effective. Although recently, a number of clinical/counseling interventions have been designated as empirically supported, nevertheless it is the tradition of counseling psychology to provide generic training, rather than specific training in particular treatments (e.g., cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression). Discuss the ethical implications of these issues for training and supervision in counseling psychology.

 

 

26.            The responsibilities of counseling psychologists necessarily include evaluation of students in Masters and Ph.D. programs under the jurisdiction of those counseling psychologists. How should these evaluations be carried out? What criteria and processes should be used to screen out masters and Ph.D. students who donÕt meet designated performance criteria for minimal competency? Describe appropriate minimal performance standards for each group.

 

 

27.            Discuss the following proposition: ÒBeing supervised by a qualified supervising professional ought to be a condition for maintaining a professional mental health license.Ó Use both empirical and conceptual sources to substantiate your position. Be sure to include ethical considerations.

 

 

28.            White middle-class value systems often are reflected in counseling and social psychological research regarding racial and ethnic minorities. Historically, three (3) models have been used to guide and conceptualize research on minorities. Present and discuss these three models (citing appropriate references for each) and offer what you believe would be a more useful model for use when researching minority populations. In your answer, be specific with regard to the ways in which this proposed model would be ÒbetterÓ or Òmore usefulÓ for the study of minority populations.

 

 

29.            Several writers (e.g., Lago, 1996; McLeod, 1993; Sue & Sudberg, 1996) have expressed concerns regarding a variety of issues surrounding the state of contemporary cross-cultural research. Some of these concerns relate to theoretical/conceptual issues, others relate to methodological issues. Present examples of each, citing relevant research literature. Present specific steps or actions that could be (or need to be) taken to address these concerns.

 

 

30.            The establishment of rapport between a counselor and client is generally assumed to be a critical variable in the success of the counseling. In light of this assumption, discuss aspects of the counseling process that may impede the development of rapport when a white counselor is working with a culturally-different client.

 

 

31.            Select an Axis I disorder as relates to a Òhypothetical client.Ó Describe the disorder and the client. Prepare a treatment plan for 6 sessions (as provided by the clientÕs HMO) which would meet the providerÕs criteria of being (a) problem-focused, (b) specific, and (c) goal-directed. Justify your proposed treatment plan from a theoretical and empirical perspective.

 

 

32.            Choose a theory-specific approach to counseling/psychotherapy for one of the following concerns: (a) adjustment disorder, (b) dysthymia, (c) social phobia. For each theory, select appropriate instrumentation (a) for monitoring and evaluating the therapy process and (b) for evaluating the outcome of therapy. Justify that instrumentation in terms of the goals of therapy and theoretical rationale for client change as defined by the approach.

 

 

33.            Describe the psychological foundations (i.e., the social, cognitive, biological, and individual bases of behavior) that you use to explain client behavioral change in therapy. Support your explanation using appropriate empirical research.

 

 

34.            Operationalize the construct of Òvocational maturityÓ as it relates to client development and describe how you would develop and validate a measure of the construct.

 

 

35.            The following table summarizes the results of the comparative effects of four different approaches to therapy for high and low anxiety clients. The numbers in the cells are means for the groups (assume equal nÕs for each cell). If you were to analyze these results statistically, how would you do so and why? Interpret these results in terms of various treatment effects.

 

ANXIETY

 

Therapy A

 

Therapy B

 

Therapy C

 

Therapy D

High

25

20

15

10

Low

10

15

20

25

 

 

 

36.            Within counseling and psychotherapy, an implied contract or promise to protect the confidentiality of clients is never absolute; exceptions exist and clients are to be apprised of those exceptions. (a) Summarize and explain the legal and ethical limits of confidentiality within counseling and psychotherapy. (b) Prepare a statement that could be given to clients that explains to them the limits of confidentiality within the therapy relationship. The statement should be written in language that is understandable to clients, but sufficiently detailed so as to be accurate with regard to your legal and professional obligations—and providing clients with the information that is needed for them to able to provide informed consent to treatment.

 

 

37.            Research on clinical judgment and decision-making suggests that psychologists are not nearly as ÒexpertÓ in these areas as we might like to believe. Describe at least four sources of bias that affect clinical judgment and decision making, and discuss how you might minimize these biases in your own clinical work.

 

 

38.            Describe your personal theory of psychological/therapeutic change—supporting it with appropriate empirical research. How does your theory satisfy the standards of a Ògood theory?Ó In what ways does it reflect a developmental perspective and focus on psychological strengths that are characteristic of a counseling psychology orientation?

 

 

39.            Clearly explain the extrapolation and application of any specific social or behavioral psychological theory to client behavior change in counseling. Include a description and explanation of the theory, and provide specific examples of at least two therapeutic interventions based on the theory and the construct and/or principles of the theory from which the therapeutic interventions derive.

 

 

40.            Describe the basic propositions/assumptions of the Òcommon factorsÓ position regarding the process and outcome of counseling and psychotherapy. Describe the empirical research literature that supports a Òcommon factorsÓ position. Describe the arguments, with supporting research data, opposed to the common factors position.

 

 

41.            It has been hypothesized that psychological symptoms are a defense against anxiety. It also has been hypothesized that symptoms are tactics for managing interpersonal relationships. Design a study to test these competing hypotheses.

 

 

42.            Assume you are providing treatment for Jane Doe. Make a checklist of the topics and types of information that would be included in her informed consent for treatment. (For example, your credentials would be one item.) For each item on the checklist, explain specifically what the client needs to know about the item.

 

 

43.            Any profession is constrained and/or regulated by a number of internal and external factors. Discuss at least two internal factors (i.e., indigenous to the structure, purpose, goals, policies, myths, or personnel characteristics) and at least two external factors (i.e., cultural, social, or economic influences) in terms of their current effects on the profession of counseling psychology. Provide your analysis of how you see these influences playing out in the future. What kinds of positive and negative developments do you see occurring and why?

 

 

44.            The DSM-IV provides one system for classifying behavior and individual differences. Describe and discuss an alternative means for classifying behavior and individual differences, and for describing a different spectrum of human behavior.

 

 

45.            Discuss what you believe to be the role of professional journals. If you were appointed editor of the Journal of Counseling Psychology, what criteria would you use in selecting and rejecting articles for inclusion in the journal and why?

 

 

46.            Medicine and real estate are very different occupations. What in psychology in general and vocational psychology in particular (e.g., theories, constructs, variables, etc.) helps to explain how people get into one or the other of these occupations? What in psychology would be most helpful to the career counselor who is discussing with a client her/his choice between these two occupations?

 

 

47.            The foundation of career counseling includes a focus on the importance of making career decisions (e.g., trait-factor approach). However, researchers have continued to expand the focus of career counseling to recognize the value of indecisiveness as well the decision making process (e.g., Holland & Holland, 1977; Mitchell & Krumboltz, 1999). In light of this trend in a changing world of work (e.g., downsizing and increasing focus on technology), outline the way in which three different theories would conceptualize and intervene with both undecided and indecisive career clients. Cite references to support your statements.

 

 

48.            Outline a study that would allow you to test the following hunch: Low self-efficacy acts as a barrier to individualsÕ career options, decisions, and implementation. Develop a brief argument from the literature that would suggest your hunch could be correct and should be tested. Develop the specific hypotheses, design, and analyses.

 

 

49.            Case Study: On the following pages are assessment results (including a personality measure, interest inventory, and cognitive measures) from a Black male client you are considering taking on in your psychologist position within the VA system. Write up a report detailing the results of the assessment, despite the fact that you have not yet met with this individual. Include the results from each inventory and integrate them into a summary. Outline treatment considerations and possible goals generated by the assessment data, including any comments regarding possible ethical concerns and multicultural issues.

 

 

50.            Describe the psychological principles (e.g., those drawn from the four foundational areas of psychology: cognitive/affective bases of behavior, individual bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, biological bases of behavior) that you use to explain client behavioral change in therapy. Support your explanation citing appropriate empirical research.

 

 

51.            What are the psychological factors considered to be productive of change in group therapy? Compare and contrast those factors with the factors considered to be productive of change in individual therapy? Describe how the Ògroup factorsÓ operate in group therapy and how they are ÒactivatedÓ by the group therapist.

 

 

 

52.            Outline a study that would allow you to test EITHER of the following:

 

a) College juniors who are actively engage in shaping their relationship to work (i.e., they are actively gathering information about various work situations, they are discussing work alternatives more often and with more people, they are expressing an open attitude about how they might relate to the world of work), regardless of major or degree of certainty about major, will have fewer work-related problems as seniors.

 

b) College freshmen who go through your eight-week training program designed to foster a more actively engaging style of relating to work will have fewer work-related problems as seniors, compared to freshmen who do not receive your intervention.

 

 

53.            Describe the basic propositions/assumptions of the Òcommon factorsÓ position regarding the process and outcome of counseling and psychotherapy. Describe the empirical research literature that supports a Òcommon factorsÓ position and contrast that with the empirical literature that supports a Òspecific factorsÓ position.

 

 

54.            What are the commonly used therapy outcomes measures? Now, imagine that the focus of some clinical work is grounded in the client's pursuit of optimal functioning, what means of outcome measurement would you recommend?

 

 

55.            Philosophers, moralists, humanists and positive psychologists have advocated for pursuit of the "good life." What philosophical and ethical arguments would you have for and against a prescriptive "good life" (i.e., if, having found the typical person could benefit greatly by doing certain things and pursing particular psychological goals, then encouraging people to use their recipe for the "good life")?

 

 

56.            Like humans, professions are said to go through stages of development and thus at critical times face ÒcrisesÓ and adjustments necessary for survival and growth. What do you think is the current stage of our profession of counseling psychology? What are the tasks and challenges the profession has worked through? And what do you see as the being the tasks and challenges that remain?

 

 

57.            You are asked to evaluate a 20 year old woman who comes to you with complaint of headaches, trouble falling asleep, loss of appetite, and feeling less capable on her job (she is in a supervisory position). Describe how you would proceed, including: (a) what are the diagnostic possibilities? (b) how would you make the differential diagnosis? (c) what are expectable findings for each diagnostic possibility? and (d) what are the likely therapy recommendations in each instance?

 

 

58.            Vocational interest inventories such as the Strong Interest Inventory, Kuder Occupational Interest Survey, Career Assessment Inventory, and Self-Directed Search are common intervention used by counseling psychologist to assist clients with in exploring and choosing careers and to enhance their vocational decision making. Design a study to evaluate the effect of vocational interest testing on the quality of college studentsÕ vocational choices.

 

 

59.            Describe the psychological principles that you use to explain client behavioral change in therapy--supporting your explanation using appropriate empirical research.

 

 

60.            Compare and contrast the DSM-IV categories of Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder and Schizoid Personality Disorder. Include in your discussion implications these disorders have for the sort(s) of interventions that a psychologist might use with each client classification.

 

 

61.            As a part of its district-wide DARE program, Unified School District (USD) 497 wishes to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based assertion training program on childrenÕs drug refusal skills. All third-grade students in three of the districtÕs elementary schools will participate in the program. Students in one school will participate in a twice-weekly in-classroom assertion training program; students in the second school will participate in a special twice-weekly drug awareness reading program (intended as a placebo); and students in the third school will not participate in any special drug-related curricular activity. The proposed evaluation program will include a series of measures administered immediately prior to the intervention (i.e., the assertion training program), immediately following the program, and two years latter when students are midway through the 5th grade.

 

The following measures that will be completed at each testing point:

 

A)             ChildrenÕs Assertion Skills Survey--a paper and pencil instrument on which the child indicates how she or he would respond in various social situations (including drug-related peer pressure)

B)             ChildrenÕs Frequency of Drug and Alcohol Use--a self-report inventory of the childÕs frequency of use of alcohol and drugs

C)             Inventory of Social Support--inventory of childÕs perceptions of his or her social support network

D)             Child Behavior Checklist--a checklist completed by the childÕs teacher of the frequency of the childÕs problem behaviors (class disruption, fighting in school, classroom inattentiveness, disciplinary actions taken, etc.) over that past 3 week period.

 

Information regarding the childÕs age, sex, home environment (e.g., parentÕs marital status), and IQ (as estimated by the childÕs scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills [IBTS]) also will be collected at pretest and 2-year follow-up).

 

What statistical method(s) would you use to analyze these data and why? What design problems and limitations do you see with this study (and your analyses)?

 

 

62.            Medicine and real estate are very different occupations. What in psychology in general and vocational psychology in particular (e.g., theories, constructs, variables, etc.) helps to explain how people get into one or the other of these occupations? What in psychology would be most helpful to the career counselor who is discussing with a client her/his choice between these two occupations?

 

 

63.            Clearly explicate a minimum of five (5) basic psychological principles that govern your conduct, strategies, etc. in counseling. Describe (with appropriate reference citations) the following about each principle:

A)             theoretical and/or philosophical origin

B)             research evidence related to the principle

C)             exceptions, if any, to the principle

 

 

64.            Below are examples of three different types of research designs. Compare and contrast the threats to the internal and external validity of the designs, where X=intervention or treatment and O=measurement or observation. The dashed line (-----) indicates that the two groups were intact groups, and not formed by random assignment; R indicates that the groups were formed by random assignment.

a)              X          O1

            --------------

                        O2

 


b)              R          O          X         O

            R          O                      O

 

 


c)               R          O         X          O

            R          O                      O

 

            R          X                      O

 

            R                                  O

 

 

 

65.            Operationalize the construct of Òmulticultural competenceÓ as it relates to clinical work with clients from cultures different from oneÕs own, and describe how you would develop and empirically validate a measure of the construct.

 

 

66.            It has been hypothesized that the psychological problems of a child are the result of disturbed interpersonal interactions within the family. It has also been hypothesized that disturbed interactions within the family are the result of the psychological problems the child. Design a study to test these two completing hypotheses.

 

 

67.            An applied Òpsychological specialtyÓ is understood by the APA to be a sub area within applied psychology that (a) meets or addresses (with demonstrably efficacy) the specialized needs of a unique clientele, (b) has a unique or distinct theoretical and research foundation, and (c) involves the application of specialized techniques or technologies. Citing and reviewing literature from the field, justify Òcounseling psychologyÓ as a legitimate and distinctive specialty within applied psychology.

 

 

68.            Three male clients, ages 20, 40, and 60, enter counseling. Regardless of the specific content discussed by each client, what are the developmental issues that a counselor should keep in mind throughout counseling? How would these issues differ were the three clients female? Use relevant empirical and theoretical literature to support your answer.

 

 

69.            Occupational researchers have found that some custodial/janitorial staff views their job as a blessing and some considered it a burden. Using psychological theory (e.g., constructivist theory, personality theory, or vocational theory) explain how and why individuals functioning in the same environment and position would view their work so differently.

 

 

70.            Describe the concept of ÒresistanceÓ in counseling and psychotherapy from two different theoretical orientations and the evidence (experimental, correlational, or ÒclinicalÓ) supporting each view.

 

 

71.            You have been asked to draft policy for a new APA Commission for the Recognition of Specialties in Professional Psychology. Specifically, you are asked to propose the basis by which new and emerging ÒspecialtiesÓ are to be recognized by the APA and to define the criteria by which Ò specialtyÓ is defined. What do you believe to be the necessary criteria/standards that define a ÒspecialtyÓ in professional psychology and why?

 

72.            A colleague is examining the relationship between anxiety and vocational satisfaction. She has collected data on 200 workers using the following measures:

 

A)             a measure of anxiety

¥ scores can range from 0-50, with low scores indicating low anxiety

¥ norms for the scale suggest that those with scores >30 to be Òclinically anxious (sem=2.5)

¥ norms also suggest that about 1 in 10 people score as clinically anxious.

 

B)             a measure of vocational satisfaction

¥ scores can range from 50-100 (high scores indicate high satisfaction); sem=1.6

¥ norms for the scale suggest that scores correlate r=.46 with job performance and r=.69 with job tenure (length of time in a position)

 

Your colleague wants to know whether it would be better to analyze the data using regression procedures or whether it would make more sense to group participants in terms of the anxiety (clinically anxious vs. non-clinically anxious) and run an ANOVA. With respect to the latter, she also wonders whether it might be better instead to create her groups by doing a median split on of her sample using the anxiety measure. She raised this as a question because she is afraid she will find too few participants in the Òclinically anxious category. Advise your college on this matter—discussing the pros and cons of the proposed procedures and suggesting alternatives that might be available to her.

 

73.            What do you consider to be the two (2) most significant and influential lines of research in counseling psychology over the past decade. Briefly, and generally, describe each. Select one (1) of these lines of research and elaborate on the research findings resulting from these two lines of research and the theoretical or practical (applied) significance of this research for the field of counseling psychology.

 

 

74.            Experimental designs are favored over correlational, nonexperimental, and quasi-experimental designs because they allow the researcher to draw stronger inferences regarding the causal relations among variables. Explain why this is the case using examples of different types of research designs to make your points.

 

 

75.            You have been hired as a consultant by a local mental health clinic to examine the effectiveness of the centerÕs staff in addressing the psychological problems presented by their clients. The staff suspect that overall they are providing effective services to their public but that some clients improve more than others and that this may be related to therapist (or type of therapist) with whom they are paired. Design a study that would allow you to address the centerÕs concerns and suspicions. Be clear about the operationalizations of your variables, the measures/instruments you would use, the design of your study, and your method(s) of data analysis.

 

 

76.            What are the psychological factors considered to be productive of change in group therapy? Describe how these factors operate in therapy and are ÒactivateÓ by the group therapist.

 

 

77.            Clearly explain the extrapolation and application of any specific social or behavioral psychological theory to client behavior change in counseling. Include a description and explanation of the theory, and provide specific examples of at least two (2) therapeutic interventions based on the theory and the constructs and/or principles of the theory from which the therapeutic interventions derive.

 

78.            Describe your psychological model of therapy and the underlying psychological principles that you use to explain client behavioral change in therapy. Supporting your explanation using appropriate empirical research.

 

 

79.            Describe a research plan or program for disentangling the therapeutic effects of ÒcommonÓ and ÒspecificÓ factors in efficacious counseling and psychotherapy. In describing the plan you should not feel constrained to limit the plan to conducting a single empirical study.

 

 

80.            Counselors sometimes claim that their clientsÕ interpersonal behavior in counseling is representative of the type of interpersonal behavior in which these same clients engage in their day-to-day social environment. How would you go about validating or testing this claim?

 

 

81.            State and describe briefly a fundamental proposition or claim of some contemporary theory of therapy and design a study that would test the validity of that proposition or claim.

 

 

82.            You have contracted with a prestigious culinary school to develop for them an instrument that could be used by the schoolÕs admissions personnel to identify among program applicants those who are most likely to succeed in the schoolÕs culinary arts program and attain positions as chefs in three- and four-star restaurants. How would you go about developing and validating such an instrument? What measurement issues do you confront and how will you handle them?

 

 

83.            Although estimates of the actual numbers may vary, reports suggest that there are more than 250 forms of ÒhelpingÓ – each having a different name. Please consider the following issues in developing your analysis of why there is such a large number: a) the number 250+ is not large since relevant differences between both people and types of problems is greater than 250; b) the 250+ figure is far too high because, although people and problems may differ, those differences have few strategic consequences. Describe your analysis of and perspective/position on these issues, including in your response what you think the future has in store for the field of counseling psychology.

 

 

84.            CASE #317: Brenda, a 29 year old single, African American female presents at a local community mental health clinic. During her initial contact with you she indicates difficulty in making even the simplest everyday decision, such as what color blouse to wear to work or whether to carry an umbrella, and that she must routinely rely on her mother, with whom she still lives, to help her with those decisions. She indicates that this pattern of needing others to make decisions and be responsible for her has been something with which she has struggled for at least 15 years—as she has depended on her motherÕs advice and direction on other matters (big and small) such as where to attend school, which job to take, whether to accept a date, etc. Brenda reports feeling unable to function without the guidance and approval of others, even to the point of agreeing to do things that she feels are wrong. At her job at Wal-Mart, she feels unable to initiate projects or undertake jobs independently but will readily accept the assignments of her superiors and coworkers, even if their demands or expectations are recognized as being unreasonable. She indicates that she fears having to care for herself—a fear that is exacerbated by the failing health of her mother.

What are your diagnostic impressions of your client at this point—specifically, what DSM diagnosis are you considering and why? What diagnostic alternatives (if any) are you considering and what additional information (confirmatory or disconfirmatory) do you need to reach a diagnosis? How would you proceed with this case and why? How would your diagnosis and treatment plan change (if at all) (a) if the client were male? (b) if the client were Asian?

 

 

85.            Imagine that you have been asked to provide expert testimony about the effectiveness of psychology services delivered at a local mental health agency. Indicate what ÒevidenceÓ or data you would seek from the agency and why. What advice would you give to that agency about data collection in the future to document the efficacy of their services?

 

 

86.            Many claim that ethically it is inappropriate to deliver services in the absence of empirical evidence that the treatment is effective. Others claim that it is ethically inappropriate to withhold treatment—even if it is untested—and to not at least try something when a client presents in distress. Take a position on this issue and defend it.

 

 

87.            Despite pressures from within and outside of the profession to identify specific treatments/interventions for specific problem/diagnoses (i.e., empirically supported treatments for particular presenting clinical concerns), the preponderance of empirical evidence (specifically 20+ years of meta-analyses on the outcome of psychotherapy) seems to suggest that support for differences between treatments and for meaningful interactions between treatments and presenting concerns is minimal. Summarize the reasons (theoretical, methodological, empirical) that have offered for this state of affairs.

 

 

88.            Within the counseling and psychotherapy literature, there has been much made of the concept of ÒcommonÓ factors – features of various distinct and diverse therapeutic approaches (e.g., behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, etc.) that are shared by these approaches and that are thought to be the primary ingredients contributing to treatment efficacy. As you look across the landscape of career interventions, what common factors do you find that might account for the efficacy of these interventions? Describe them and compare and contrast them with proposed therapeutic common factors. Cite relevant literature to document your answer.

 

 

89.            Counseling psychology asserts that its counseling theories and practices derive from and build upon the broader Òscience of psychologyÓ (e.g., social psychology, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, learning/cognition, etc.). What psychological principles (and supporting research) inform or are applied in your approach to counseling/psychotherapy?

 

 

90.            Compare and contrast the purported generic Òmechanisms of changeÓ attributed to individual and group counseling/psychotherapy. Cite relevant literature to document your answer.

 

 

91.            Prior to agreeing to participate in therapy, clients have a right (a) to know the probable consequences of the therapy they will receive and (b) to make an informed choice about entering or not entering therapy. Specifically, they have a right to know whether, as a result of therapy, their presenting situation is likely to improve, improve significantly, remain relatively unchanged, or deteriorate. Design a study that (as least potentially) would allow you to provide such information to your clients at the start of their therapy. What information would you need or want from clients and how would you relate this prospectively to outcome? How would you analyze the data? Be clear about the specifics of your design—including how will you define ÒoutcomeÓ and what sort of design you will use.

 

 

92.            A colleague in your work setting has invited you to provide a brief, not technical, explanation of Òmeta-analysisÓ as an analytic or research tool and to describe how it has been used to justify the contention being made by some counseling psychologists that there is not a difference in the efficacy of different approaches to therapy. You have agreed to provide the requested presentation at an upcoming staff conference. What will you say—both with respect to the general methods of meta-analysis and to the application of the method to the study of therapy outcomes?

 

 

93.            Answer the following questions about ÒreliabilityÓ in the context of psychological measurement: What is it? How does it related (if at all) to validity and other measurement constructs? What are common threats to it? How is it estimated? How is it evaluated? What are its implications for researchers? What are its implications for practitioners?

 

 

94.            The APAÕs Committee on Accreditation (CoA) is responsible for accrediting graduate professional psychology programs in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, combinations thereof, and other new and emerging substantive areas. For a number of years, the CoA, and indeed the field of professional psychology, has struggled with how to recognize or identify Ònew and emerging substantive areas.Ó At issue, at least in part, is the structure or typology of professional psychology. For example, is Òhealth psychologyÓ an independently accreditable substantive area in its own right, or is it a subset of Clinical Psychology (or Counseling Psychology)? Is Òvocational psychologyÓ an independently accreditable substantive area, or is it a subset of Counseling Psychology? Is Òclinical child psychologyÓ an independently accreditable substantive area in its own right, or is it a subset of Clinical Psychology? Propose and make a case for a general set of standards/criteria by which the CoA might distinguish when an area of professional psychology has emerged that constitutes a substantive area that is distinct from Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology (or combinations thereof).

 

 

95.            Although life is such that Òdual (or multiple) relationshipsÓ are inevitable, psychologists nevertheless are admonished to avoid relationships with their clients that might compromise their judgment, competence or effectiveness or that risk exploitation or harm to the client. As a professional, how and what do you evaluate with respect to your relations with clients so as to avoid the potential for being in a relationship the might compromise your ability to function objectively, competently or effectively or one that might risk exploitation or harm to a client?

 

 

96.            What mechanism(s) and criteria would you propose for the profession for identifying and designating interventions as Òefficacious?Ó Provide the scientific and professional rationale for your decision.

 

 

97.            Summarize the research literature concerning empirically supported treatments in the area of substance abuse treatment. Address the status of the debate between common versus specific factors in this area and attempt to explain the differences in relative efficacy that have been observed among different substance abuse treatment interventions/programs.

 

 

98.            Describe your approach (theory and methods) to addiction treatment. Include components addressing the etiology of addictive disorders, comorbid psychopathology, theory of change, and specific therapeutic strategies.

 

 

99.            The area of addictions counseling is often considered the province of recovering individuals, many of whom apparently practice effectively with bachelors or associates degrees. In light of this finding, address the clinical advantages doctoral-level psychologists bring to the discipline as a function of advanced training, as well as the disadvantages non-recovering psychologists might face and how those disadvantages can be offset.

 

 

100.         According to Karl Popper, a Ògood theoryÓ is one that is ÒrefutableÓ or Òdisconfirmable.Ó Select a contemporary theory of counseling/psychotherapy of your choosing. Present a theoretical assertion (not an outcome claim) that derives from that theory and design a study that would test that assertion. Provide sufficient detail with regard to the Method (participants, instrumentation, design, data analysis) to allow for the evaluation of your proposed study.

 

 

101.         Dr. Laura is at it again. Now she is criticizing APA for promoting psychological testing and assessment and purports that it is seriously flawed. As you well know, hundreds of tests have been developed and used for assessment purposes for educational, industrial, military, and clinical settings. Clearly, there is a need for greater public and professional awareness of the personal and social consequences of psychological and educational assessment. You have been selected by the APA to represent the organization and to respond to Dr. LauraÕs criticism during your own half-hour on NPRÕs ÒTalk of the Nation.Ó What is your response to Dr. LauraÕs criticism?

 

Among the things you may wish to include in your response/discussion:

a)               important considerations in test construction (measurement issues, test standards)

b)              the usefulness and limitations of tests in the assessment/screening process (employee testing and bias)

c)               the needs and rights of examinees and society in general (informed consent, confidentiality)

d)              relevant research issues

 

You may wish to use an applied example to help frame or clarify the issues (e.g., as if you have been hired as a consultant to supervise the development and use of a personality test for employment screening of police officers).

 

 

102.         Many claim that ethically it is inappropriate to deliver services in the absence of empirical evidence that the treatment to be rendered is effective. Others claim that it is ethically inappropriate to withhold treatment—even if it is untested—and to not at least try something when a client presents in distress. Take a position on this issue and defend it. In doing so, consider such issues professional ethics and codes of conduct, professional practice guidelines, legal matters relating to Òstandard of care,Ó and research relating to therapy processes and outcomes.

 

 

103.         With existing measures, within a realistic budget, and adhering to ethical principles, design/outline a quantitative empirical study that could be used to evaluate the efficacy of a theory-based approach to group counseling for rape victims. Be specific about the design, conditions, participants, constructs and measures that would be used. Discuss the reasons for your decisions (e.g., control of various threats to validity) and evaluate the strengths and potential shortcomings of this design. Anticipate potential rival interpretations (e.g., interpretations that explain the results) and discuss how these were controlled and which ones cannot be eliminated with the study design.

 

 

104.         While relaxing at home, you if read a magazine article on psychological findings related to depression. A highlighted section of the article states, "Lack of social support causes depression." You find this interesting and consult the original manuscript recently published in a regional journal. You discover that the measures of social support and of depression have internal consistency coefficients below .50 and that the findings are based survey data from fourteen people that were analyzed using a correlational procedure. Discuss the measurement, design and analysis issues relating to the conclusion that, "Lack of social support causes depression.Ó Outline the design of a study that would strengthen a researcherÕs ability to draw such a conclusion.

 

 

105.         Briefly describe any two of the following experimental designs using a hypothetical research example. Discuss each of the chosen designs with respect to threats to internal validity. (A dotted line separating the groups means that the groups were pre-existing groups; Ss were not randomly assigned to the groups. R means the Ss were randomly assigned to the groups.)

 

O11        X1         O12

(A)         --------------------------------------

O21        X2         O22

 

 

R          O1         X          O2

(B)       

R          O3         O4

 

 

R          O1         X          O2

(C)

R          X          O3

 

 

106.         Many claim that ethically it is inappropriate to deliver services in the absence of empirical evidence that the treatment is effective. Although recently, a number of clinical/counseling interventions have been designated as empirically supported, nevertheless it is the tradition of counseling psychology to provide generic training, rather than specific training in particular treatments (e.g., cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression). Discuss the ethical implications of these issues for training and supervision in counseling psychology.

 

 

107.         The responsibilities of counseling psychologists necessarily include evaluation of students in Masters and Ph.D. programs under the jurisdiction of those counseling psychologists. How should these evaluations be carried out? What criteria and processes should be used to screen out masters and Ph.D. students who donÕt meet designated performance criteria for minimal competency? Describe appropriate minimal performance standards for each group.

 

 

108.         Conceptualizations of change are often discussed in clinical courses, but conceptualizations of outcome receive scant attention. Discuss how you (and your client) know when counseling is to be terminated. Specifically, describe a theoretical framework that parsimoniously explains your view of a positive therapeutic outcome.

 

 

109.         As a program and as a field, we tout the value of a strengths-based approach to therapy and on focusing on, building on, and fostering our clientsÕ assets and positive characteristics—often while criticizing the psychologyÕs ÒpathologizingÓ of individuals and the systems in which they live. For this question, you are to turn things upside down and to look at things from the ÒotherÓ perspective. Specifically you are to discuss and make a case for what you believe to be three (3) Òpathologies of positive psychologyÓ (i.e., the Òdown sideÓ or problems with this perspective or approach).

 

 

110.         Review (citing appropriate research references) the empirically-established gender and age differences in efficacy of counseling and psychotherapy. How are these differences explained in terms of psychological theory (e.g., personality theory, social psychological theory, psychophysiology, etc.) and how should those differences be accommodated by a counselor when working with younger and clients and of different gender?

 

 

111.         The quality of counseling psychology research can be evaluated in terms of rigor and relevance. Briefly describe one current line or program of counseling psychology research and describe its quality and significance by making specific comments (with examples) about its rigor and relevance. Identify a future direction for this research program (while still attending to issues of research rigor and relevance) that would further enhance its value to the field and to society.

 

 

112.         Cognitive, Behavioral, Interpersonal and Psychodynamic therapeutic approaches are among those based on certain theoretical premises or propositions regarding its mechanisms of therapeutic change. Select one of these approaches; present two (2) premises regarding therapeutic change as described by that theory, and design an empirical research study to test the validity of one (1) of those propositions. Include in your information regarding the studyÕs participants/subjects, their selection, instrumentation, procedures, design, and analysis.