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Counseling Depressed Women
by Susan J. Dunlap
© 1997.
(Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville, KY). All rights reserved.
[Answer 11 of 15 questions correctly to receive 11 hours of Continuing Education credit.]
Introduction (p 1-5)
1. Depression affects twice as many women as men because women have less
a. emotional stability.
b. money.
c. access to power.
d. biological stamina.

Chapter 1: Women, Depression and Theology (p 6-20)
2. The value of referring to depression as an “illness” is
a. to prevent blaming the person for having depression.
b. to see depression as a form of brokenness that calls for healing.
c. to highlight the physical effects of depression on one’s body.
d. all of the above.

3. For a severely depressed person, the caregiver should
a. try to encourage conversation.
b. try to inspire hope.
c. explain the personality weaknesses of depression.
d. offer a non-critical, non-demanding presence.

Chapter 2: Cognitive Theory (p 21-32)
4. In the first session of helping a depressed person, one very helpful behavioral technique for the therapist to use is
a. teaching the client how to properly manage finances.
b. referring the client to a psychiatrist for medication.
c. scheduling client activities for the upcoming week that give a sense of “mastery” and “control.”
d. assigning books which explain the depressogenic effects of male-centered belief system.

Chapter 3: Social Location (p 33-50)
5. The author believes that the media defines a “good” woman as
a. emaciated and agreeable.
b. older and wiser.
c. powerful and competent.
d. intelligent and articulate.

6. Contrary to the patriarchal truth-of-woman discourse, a “resistance discourse” portrays women as
a. self-sacrificing and giving.
b. powerful and competent.
c. soft and compliant.
d. dependent and accommodating.

7. A type of theology that the author recommends for its healing effects on depressed women is
a. self-denying obedience.
b. passive acceptance of suffering.
c. liberation theology.
d. sacrificial love.

Chapter 4: Self (p 51-65)
8. Dana Crowley Jack describes a woman’s “loss of self” as
a. viewing her own feelings, desires and perspectives as irrelevant.
b. fulfilling others’ expectations rather than her own.
c. continual, negative self-labeling.
d. all of the above.

Chapter 5: Relationship (p 67-82)
9. During marital counseling with Marcy and Roland, difficulty was encountered with
a. Marcy expressing her own feelings.
b. Marcy articulating Roland’s feelings.
c. Roland expressing his own feelings.
d. Roland articulating Marcy’s feelings.

10. In helping a woman “write a life,” the therapist is encouraged to refer to the Scriptures for
a. biblical imagery.
b. truth.
c. authority.
d. definitive interpretations.

11. For Marcy, the author recommends
a. (Mark 14:36) “Not what I want, but what you want.”
b. (Luke 1:38) “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
c. (Galatians 5:22-23) “The fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control.”
d. (Mark 5:25-34) the woman who was healed when she reached out and touched Jesus’ garment.

Chapter 6: Women’s Bodies (p 83-101)
12. If a female client has a negative view of her weight, the therapist should
a. urge the beginning of a rigorous exercise program in order to lose the weight.
b. identify for her the ways our culture pressures her to live up to impossible standards of beauty.
c. encourage her to join a subculture where everyone accepts her physical features.
d. help her to understand that the whole idea of physical attraction has no value whatsoever.

13. The author believes that female depression is primarily the result of
a. menopause.
b. premenstrual syndrome.
c. pregnancy and giving birth.
d. powerlessness.

Chapter 7: Anger (p 102-115)
14. A depressed woman should handle her anger by
a. expressing or venting it.
b. lowering her expectations.
c. using it to change oppressive situations.
d. confessing it as sin.

Chapter 8: Hope (p 116-126)
15. For a severely depressed woman who seems devoid of all hope, the therapist can
a. encourage the recollection of any positive memories, however small.
b. refer to the good things God has already done in her life.
c. use the apocalyptic portions of Scripture to refer to God acting in ways not yet seen.
d. none of the above.