California Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) Law and Ethics exam

During therapy, if discussions lead to unexpected emotional reactions, how should the therapist proceed?

1. Ignore the reactions to stay on topic

2. Redirect focus to the initial agenda

3. Acknowledge feelings and explore them

4. Encourage clients to suppress their emotions

The correct answer is: Acknowledge feelings and explore them

In therapy, unexpected emotional reactions can occur when clients are discussing sensitive or significant topics. Acknowledging feelings and exploring them is essential in a therapeutic setting for several reasons. Recognizing emotions allows clients to feel heard and validated, which can foster a sense of safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship. This validation is crucial for clients to process their feelings; it helps them understand their emotional experiences better and can lead to deeper insights and healing. Exploring emotions also provides opportunities for growth. When therapists guide clients through their feelings, it can unveil underlying issues or patterns that may need to be addressed. Delving into these emotions can facilitate a more profound therapeutic process and contribute to the client's overall well-being. The other approaches, such as ignoring the reactions or redirecting focus, can minimize the client's experience and potentially inhibit their emotional processing. Encouraging clients to suppress their emotions can also lead to negative consequences, such as increased distress or lack of progress in therapy. By acknowledging and exploring feelings, therapists help clients navigate and understand their emotional landscape, ultimately leading to more effective therapeutic outcomes.