Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Which approach involves the counselor acting as an advocate for community resources?

1. Trans-affirmative Approach

2. Supportive Approach

3. Behavioral Approach

4. Cognitive Approach

The correct answer is: Trans-affirmative Approach

The trans-affirmative approach emphasizes a counselor's role in advocating for marginalized populations, particularly within the context of affirming and supporting their identities and experiences. In this approach, counselors actively seek to connect clients with relevant community resources that can provide additional support and empowerment. This involves understanding the unique challenges faced by clients, particularly in the transgender and non-binary communities, and using advocacy to promote access to needed services—such as healthcare, support groups, and legal resources. By focusing on advocacy, counselors not only provide immediate support but also aim to create social change by raising awareness of the needs and rights of marginalized individuals. This active engagement with community resources helps ensure that clients have holistic support that goes beyond therapy alone, addressing broader systemic issues that affect their well-being. In contrast, the supportive, behavioral, and cognitive approaches each have distinct focuses. The supportive approach centers on providing emotional assistance and encouragement; the behavioral approach focuses on modifying specific behaviors through reinforcement strategies, and the cognitive approach aims to change maladaptive thought patterns. None of these inherently involve advocacy for community resources in the same way that the trans-affirmative approach does.