Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Which approach did the addiction professional use by responding to the client’s feelings of anxiousness?

1. Summarization

2. Paraphrase

3. Encourager

4. Reflection of feeling

The correct answer is: Encourager

The correct response involves the concept of reflecting the client’s feelings, specifically anxiousness, back to them in a way that acknowledges and validates their emotional experience. This approach is known as the reflection of feeling. When addiction professionals engage in reflection of feeling, they demonstrate empathy and understanding by articulating the emotions the client is expressing. This technique helps clients feel heard and allows them to explore their emotions further. By capturing the essence of what the client is feeling, the professional facilitates a deeper connection and encourages the client to discuss their emotions more openly. In contrast, summarization refers to condensing the main points of a session, not specifically focusing on feelings. Paraphrasing involves rewording the client's statements to show understanding but does not necessarily delve into the emotional content. Encouragers are affirming statements or gestures that motivate clients to continue speaking but do not specifically reflect back their feelings. Therefore, the response that best captures the essence of validating and exploring a client's anxiousness is indeed the reflection of feeling.