In the scenario with Rodney and Linda, Erford would likely identify the main problem as

• A. The client is resistant to therapy
• B. The counselor lacks empathy
• C. The counselor is a beginner
• D. The client lacks motivation

Answer: (C)

In counseling, how the counselor engages with the client and applies techniques largely determines whether progress happens. A novice counselor often struggles with building rapport, accurately reflecting the client’s feelings, setting clear goals, and choosing appropriate interventions. If Rodney and Linda’s sessions show signs like inconsistent warmth, poor attunement, vague or shifting goals, and using techniques that don’t fit the situation, the situation is best explained by the counselor’s inexperience. The pattern points to a lack of developed skills rather than something intrinsic about the client, such as resistance, lack of empathy, or low motivation. While those client factors can appear, the more likely and overarching issue here is that the counselor is a beginner, which disrupts the therapeutic process and stalls progress.