National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) Practice Exam

In therapy, how do practitioners typically address the resistance of clients according to Reality Therapy?

1. Using indirect communication methods

2. Employing behavior modification techniques

3. Implementing challenge and direct confrontation

4. Exclusively discussing past events

The correct answer is: Implementing challenge and direct confrontation

Practitioners addressing client resistance in the context of Reality Therapy often employ challenge and direct confrontation. This approach is rooted in the philosophy of Reality Therapy, which emphasizes personal responsibility and a focus on the present rather than the past. By challenging clients directly, therapists encourage them to confront their behaviors and the consequences of those behaviors in a supportive environment. This technique helps clients become aware of the discrepancies between their current choices and their goals, fostering motivation to change. Direct confrontation is not meant to be aggressive; rather, it aims to promote self-reflection and insight. Therapists facilitate this process by helping clients understand how their resistance may be hindering their progress and support them in developing more effective strategies to meet their needs. The other methods mentioned do not align with the core principles of Reality Therapy in the same way. For instance, behavior modification techniques are typically more structured and might not engage the client's personal responsibility as directly. Indirect communication may obscure the issues at hand instead of addressing them head-on, while exclusively discussing past events does not align with the therapeutic focus on present behaviors and choices that Reality Therapy promotes.