Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Under what approach does the therapist act as a collaborator rather than an expert?

1. Psychoanalytic therapy

2. Behavioral therapy

3. Social constructionism

4. Structural therapy

The correct answer is: Social constructionism

The correct choice is based on the principles of social constructionism, which emphasizes the collaborative nature of the therapeutic relationship. In this approach, the therapist engages with clients in a partnership, focusing on understanding and constructing meaning together. The therapist does not assume the role of the expert who imparts knowledge or solutions; instead, they facilitate dialogue and exploration of the client’s experiences and perceptions. This collaborative stance encourages clients to actively participate in creating their own understanding and narratives, leading to more personalized and meaningful outcomes in therapy. In contrast, approaches like psychoanalytic therapy involve a more hierarchical relationship where the therapist, drawing on their expertise, interprets the client's unconscious processes. Behavioral therapy tends to focus on techniques and interventions designed by the therapist to modify behaviors, which often positions the therapist as a guide rather than a collaborator. Structural therapy, while focused on family dynamics and structure, often still involves the therapist taking an authoritative stance to reorganize and influence family interactions without the same level of collaborative engagement seen in social constructionism.