Three counseling approaches that are often practiced by school counselors are:

• A. Adlerian therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and reality therapy
• B. Client-centered therapy, REBT, and CBT
• C. Adlerian therapy, solution-focused or brief therapy, and reality therapy
• D. Adlerian therapy, solution-focused, and REBT

Answer: (C)

In school counseling, what’s being tested is which approaches fit the typical needs of students in a school setting—brief, practical, and focused on present behavior and relationships. Adlerian therapy works well here because it emphasizes social interest, encouragement, and understanding how a student’s choices affect the wider classroom and peer group. This helps build a positive school climate and guides students to act in ways that strengthen their connections with others.

Solution-focused or brief therapy is a natural match because it is designed to be short-term and goal-oriented. In schools, counselors often have limited time with each student, so approaches that quickly identify a problem, set concrete next steps, and measure progress are especially effective. This method teaches students to focus on workable solutions and small, actionable changes, which can lead to faster, visible improvements.

Reality therapy adds another practical dimension by concentrating on present choices, personal responsibility, and accountability. It gives students a clear framework to evaluate their behavior, set personal goals, and see the direct link between decisions and school outcomes like grades, attendance, and peer relationships.

Other options mix in approaches that aren’t as consistently aligned with the school setting’s typical demands (such as long-term exploratory therapies or blends that don’t foreground brief, present-focused, and socially oriented work). The combination of Adlerian therapy, solution-focused or brief therapy, and reality therapy best reflects what school counselors commonly use to support students efficiently and effectively.