Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

In a therapy session, what should be prioritized for clients who struggle with anxiety related to personal identity?

1. Encouraging unconditional acceptance from family.

2. Addressing immediate emotional concerns effectively.

3. Focusing solely on future goals.

4. Exploring environmental factors leading to anxiety.

The correct answer is: Addressing immediate emotional concerns effectively.

In a therapy session for clients struggling with anxiety related to personal identity, addressing immediate emotional concerns effectively is crucial. This approach allows the therapist to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can process their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. By focusing on immediate emotional concerns, the therapist helps clients gain insight into their anxiety and begin to understand the ways in which it affects their sense of self. When emotional concerns are prioritized, this can lead to a deeper exploration of personal identity issues, fostering self-awareness and allowing clients to articulate their feelings regarding their identity. This focused attention on the present emotional state can serve as a foundation for further therapeutic work, including eventually exploring underlying factors or setting future goals. In contrast, while encouraging unconditional acceptance from family, focusing solely on future goals, or exploring environmental factors can be important aspects of therapy, they may not address the client's immediate experience of anxiety. Without first addressing and validating the client's current emotional state, these other elements may not be as effective in alleviating their distress or aiding in their journey toward understanding their personal identity.