NRNP 6645 PSYCHOTHERAPY
ADVANCED PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which therapeutic factor identified by Irvin Yalom involves the recognition that one is not
alone in their suffering and that others share similar experiences?
A. Altruism
B. Universality
C. Cohesiveness
D. Catharsis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Universality refers to the realization that others have similar
problems and feelings, reducing the sense of isolation often felt by group members.
2. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the ‘downward arrow technique’ is primarily used
to uncover which of the following?
A. Core schemas
B. Intermediate beliefs
,C. Automatic thoughts
D. Cognitive distortions
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The downward arrow technique involves asking ‘If that were
true, what would that mean about you?’ to move past surface-level thoughts to deep-seated
core beliefs or schemas.
3. According to Marsha Linehan, what is the primary dialectic tension in Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT)?
A. Truth versus Falsehood
B. Emotion versus Reason
C. Change versus Acceptance
D. Autonomy versus Dependence
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DBT focuses on the synthesis of two opposites: acceptance of the
client as they are and the necessity for change to reach a life worth living.
4. In Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, when a patient unconsciously projects feelings about a
significant person from their past onto the therapist, it is known as:
A. Countertransference
B. Resistance
, C. Projective Identification
D. Transference
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Transference is the displacement of feelings, attitudes, and
behaviors originally linked to significant figures in childhood onto the therapist.
5. A therapist asks a client, ‘If you woke up tomorrow and your problem was gone, what
would be the first thing you notice?’ This is an example of what technique?
A. Socratic Questioning
B. The Miracle Question
C. Externalizing the problem
D. Scaling Question
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Miracle Question is a core technique in Solution-Focused
Brief Therapy (SFBT) used to help clients visualize a future without their current problems.
6. Which family therapy model emphasizes ‘differentiation of self’ to prevent individuals from
being emotionally fused with their family of origin?
A. Structural Family Therapy
B. Strategic Family Therapy
C. Experiential Family Therapy
ADVANCED PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which therapeutic factor identified by Irvin Yalom involves the recognition that one is not
alone in their suffering and that others share similar experiences?
A. Altruism
B. Universality
C. Cohesiveness
D. Catharsis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Universality refers to the realization that others have similar
problems and feelings, reducing the sense of isolation often felt by group members.
2. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the ‘downward arrow technique’ is primarily used
to uncover which of the following?
A. Core schemas
B. Intermediate beliefs
,C. Automatic thoughts
D. Cognitive distortions
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The downward arrow technique involves asking ‘If that were
true, what would that mean about you?’ to move past surface-level thoughts to deep-seated
core beliefs or schemas.
3. According to Marsha Linehan, what is the primary dialectic tension in Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT)?
A. Truth versus Falsehood
B. Emotion versus Reason
C. Change versus Acceptance
D. Autonomy versus Dependence
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DBT focuses on the synthesis of two opposites: acceptance of the
client as they are and the necessity for change to reach a life worth living.
4. In Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, when a patient unconsciously projects feelings about a
significant person from their past onto the therapist, it is known as:
A. Countertransference
B. Resistance
, C. Projective Identification
D. Transference
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Transference is the displacement of feelings, attitudes, and
behaviors originally linked to significant figures in childhood onto the therapist.
5. A therapist asks a client, ‘If you woke up tomorrow and your problem was gone, what
would be the first thing you notice?’ This is an example of what technique?
A. Socratic Questioning
B. The Miracle Question
C. Externalizing the problem
D. Scaling Question
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Miracle Question is a core technique in Solution-Focused
Brief Therapy (SFBT) used to help clients visualize a future without their current problems.
6. Which family therapy model emphasizes ‘differentiation of self’ to prevent individuals from
being emotionally fused with their family of origin?
A. Structural Family Therapy
B. Strategic Family Therapy
C. Experiential Family Therapy
