NRNP 6645 PSYCHOTHERAPY FINAL
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which concept refers to the deeply ingrained beliefs
that influence how individuals perceive themselves and the world?
A. Automatic thoughts
B. Cognitive distortions
C. Core schemas
D. Intermediate beliefs
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Core schemas are the fundamental, deeply held beliefs that
shape an individual’s perception of reality, whereas automatic thoughts are the immediate,
reflexive responses to specific situations.
2. In the context of Psychodynamic therapy, what term describes the patient’s unconscious
redirection of feelings from a significant childhood figure toward the therapist?
A. Countertransference
,B. Resistance
C. Transference
D. Projection
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings, desires,
and expectations from past relationships onto the therapist.
3. According to Irvin Yalom, which therapeutic factor in group therapy involves the realization
that one is not alone in their suffering?
A. Altruism
B. Catharsis
C. Universality
D. Imitative behavior
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Universality is the recognition that other group members share
similar experiences and feelings, which helps reduce isolation.
4. In Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), the ‘Miracle Question’ is primarily used to:
A. Identify the client’s past failures
B. Uncover repressed childhood memories
, C. Establish a clear, positive vision of the future without the problem
D. Determine the client’s level of resistance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Miracle Question is a goal-setting technique that helps
clients visualize a life where their problems are solved, facilitating solution-building.
5. A therapist using Motivational Interviewing (MI) notices a desire to fix the client’s
problems for them. This impulse is known as:
A. Empathy Gap
B. The Righting Reflex
C. Counter-resistance
D. Therapeutic Alliance
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Righting Reflex is the natural desire of helpers to set people
right, which MI encourages therapists to suppress in favor of client autonomy.
6. In Salvador Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, what term describes a situation where
boundaries are too permeable, leading to a loss of individual autonomy?
A. Enmeshment
B. Disengagement
C. Triangulation
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which concept refers to the deeply ingrained beliefs
that influence how individuals perceive themselves and the world?
A. Automatic thoughts
B. Cognitive distortions
C. Core schemas
D. Intermediate beliefs
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Core schemas are the fundamental, deeply held beliefs that
shape an individual’s perception of reality, whereas automatic thoughts are the immediate,
reflexive responses to specific situations.
2. In the context of Psychodynamic therapy, what term describes the patient’s unconscious
redirection of feelings from a significant childhood figure toward the therapist?
A. Countertransference
,B. Resistance
C. Transference
D. Projection
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Transference occurs when a patient displaces feelings, desires,
and expectations from past relationships onto the therapist.
3. According to Irvin Yalom, which therapeutic factor in group therapy involves the realization
that one is not alone in their suffering?
A. Altruism
B. Catharsis
C. Universality
D. Imitative behavior
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Universality is the recognition that other group members share
similar experiences and feelings, which helps reduce isolation.
4. In Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), the ‘Miracle Question’ is primarily used to:
A. Identify the client’s past failures
B. Uncover repressed childhood memories
, C. Establish a clear, positive vision of the future without the problem
D. Determine the client’s level of resistance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Miracle Question is a goal-setting technique that helps
clients visualize a life where their problems are solved, facilitating solution-building.
5. A therapist using Motivational Interviewing (MI) notices a desire to fix the client’s
problems for them. This impulse is known as:
A. Empathy Gap
B. The Righting Reflex
C. Counter-resistance
D. Therapeutic Alliance
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Righting Reflex is the natural desire of helpers to set people
right, which MI encourages therapists to suppress in favor of client autonomy.
6. In Salvador Minuchin’s Structural Family Therapy, what term describes a situation where
boundaries are too permeable, leading to a loss of individual autonomy?
A. Enmeshment
B. Disengagement
C. Triangulation
