NRNP 6645 - Psychotherapy With Multiple
Modalities FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the goal of psychodynamic therapy?
A. Teaching clients to modify dysfunctional thinking patterns
B. Helping clients gain insight into unconscious conflicts
C. Changing maladaptive behaviors through reinforcement
D. Developing mindfulness and acceptance of thoughts
Rationale: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on increasing a client’s awareness and
insight into unconscious motives and conflicts that influence behavior, often
stemming from early life experiences.
2. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist’s primary role is to:
A. Interpret unconscious material
B. Help the client identify and reframe distorted thoughts
C. Allow free association to uncover repressed memories
D. Encourage emotional expression without analysis
Rationale: CBT involves identifying and challenging cognitive distortions and
replacing them with more realistic thoughts, making the therapist an active
participant in guiding this process.
,3. Which modality places the greatest emphasis on the “here and now” and
personal responsibility?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Behavioral therapy
C. Gestalt therapy
D. Existential therapy
Rationale: Gestalt therapy emphasizes awareness, personal responsibility, and
focusing on present experiences rather than past ones.
4. A client in group therapy frequently interrupts others and monopolizes
conversations. What is the most appropriate therapeutic response?
A. Ask the client to remain silent during the session
B. Set group norms and redirect the client respectfully
C. Ignore the behavior so the group can self-regulate
D. Discuss the behavior privately after group
Rationale: Group therapy relies on norms and process. Addressing the behavior
in-session with redirection maintains group structure and models assertiveness.
5. According to Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change model, a client
who is unaware or not ready to change is in which stage?
A. Preparation
B. Precontemplation
C. Contemplation
D. Action
Rationale: In the precontemplation stage, clients do not acknowledge a problem
or are not considering change.
6. Which therapeutic approach uses unconditional positive regard, empathy,
and congruence?
,A. Cognitive therapy
B. Gestalt therapy
C. Person-centered therapy
D. Reality therapy
Rationale: Person-centered (Rogerian) therapy emphasizes a non-directive,
supportive environment where the client leads, facilitated by empathy and
unconditional positive regard.
7. What is a key goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
A. Explore early childhood trauma
B. Improve emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
C. Replace irrational beliefs with rational ones
D. Use dream analysis to uncover unconscious material
Rationale: DBT is especially effective for borderline personality disorder and
focuses on managing emotions and improving relationships through mindfulness
and behavioral skills.
8. A therapist practicing motivational interviewing (MI) uses which core
technique?
A. Direct confrontation of denial
B. Expressing empathy through reflective listening
C. Analyzing unconscious desires
D. Encouraging free association
Rationale: MI is collaborative and non-confrontational, using techniques such as
reflective listening and affirming client autonomy.
9. Which statement is consistent with systems theory in family therapy?
A. Problems reside within the individual
B. Dysfunction is maintained by interactions within the family system
, C. Only identified clients need treatment
D. Childhood trauma determines adult behavior
Rationale: Family systems theory views the family as an interconnected system
where changes in one part affect the whole.
10. Which therapeutic approach was developed by Aaron Beck and focuses on
core beliefs?
A. Behavioral therapy
B. Cognitive therapy
C. Humanistic therapy
D. Solution-focused therapy
Rationale: Aaron Beck’s cognitive therapy centers on identifying and modifying
distorted thoughts and beliefs contributing to emotional distress.
11. In solution-focused brief therapy, which question is often used to elicit goals
and envision change?
A. Why do you think this happened?
B. What happened in your childhood?
C. What will be different when the problem is gone?
D. Can you describe the worst moment?
Rationale: This "miracle question" helps clients visualize goals and outcomes, a
key technique in solution-focused therapy.
12. What does transference refer to in psychotherapy?
A. The therapist’s emotional response to the client
B. The client projecting feelings from past relationships onto the therapist
C. The resistance to therapy by avoiding topics
D. Replacing irrational thoughts with rational ones
Modalities FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the goal of psychodynamic therapy?
A. Teaching clients to modify dysfunctional thinking patterns
B. Helping clients gain insight into unconscious conflicts
C. Changing maladaptive behaviors through reinforcement
D. Developing mindfulness and acceptance of thoughts
Rationale: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on increasing a client’s awareness and
insight into unconscious motives and conflicts that influence behavior, often
stemming from early life experiences.
2. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist’s primary role is to:
A. Interpret unconscious material
B. Help the client identify and reframe distorted thoughts
C. Allow free association to uncover repressed memories
D. Encourage emotional expression without analysis
Rationale: CBT involves identifying and challenging cognitive distortions and
replacing them with more realistic thoughts, making the therapist an active
participant in guiding this process.
,3. Which modality places the greatest emphasis on the “here and now” and
personal responsibility?
A. Psychoanalysis
B. Behavioral therapy
C. Gestalt therapy
D. Existential therapy
Rationale: Gestalt therapy emphasizes awareness, personal responsibility, and
focusing on present experiences rather than past ones.
4. A client in group therapy frequently interrupts others and monopolizes
conversations. What is the most appropriate therapeutic response?
A. Ask the client to remain silent during the session
B. Set group norms and redirect the client respectfully
C. Ignore the behavior so the group can self-regulate
D. Discuss the behavior privately after group
Rationale: Group therapy relies on norms and process. Addressing the behavior
in-session with redirection maintains group structure and models assertiveness.
5. According to Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change model, a client
who is unaware or not ready to change is in which stage?
A. Preparation
B. Precontemplation
C. Contemplation
D. Action
Rationale: In the precontemplation stage, clients do not acknowledge a problem
or are not considering change.
6. Which therapeutic approach uses unconditional positive regard, empathy,
and congruence?
,A. Cognitive therapy
B. Gestalt therapy
C. Person-centered therapy
D. Reality therapy
Rationale: Person-centered (Rogerian) therapy emphasizes a non-directive,
supportive environment where the client leads, facilitated by empathy and
unconditional positive regard.
7. What is a key goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)?
A. Explore early childhood trauma
B. Improve emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
C. Replace irrational beliefs with rational ones
D. Use dream analysis to uncover unconscious material
Rationale: DBT is especially effective for borderline personality disorder and
focuses on managing emotions and improving relationships through mindfulness
and behavioral skills.
8. A therapist practicing motivational interviewing (MI) uses which core
technique?
A. Direct confrontation of denial
B. Expressing empathy through reflective listening
C. Analyzing unconscious desires
D. Encouraging free association
Rationale: MI is collaborative and non-confrontational, using techniques such as
reflective listening and affirming client autonomy.
9. Which statement is consistent with systems theory in family therapy?
A. Problems reside within the individual
B. Dysfunction is maintained by interactions within the family system
, C. Only identified clients need treatment
D. Childhood trauma determines adult behavior
Rationale: Family systems theory views the family as an interconnected system
where changes in one part affect the whole.
10. Which therapeutic approach was developed by Aaron Beck and focuses on
core beliefs?
A. Behavioral therapy
B. Cognitive therapy
C. Humanistic therapy
D. Solution-focused therapy
Rationale: Aaron Beck’s cognitive therapy centers on identifying and modifying
distorted thoughts and beliefs contributing to emotional distress.
11. In solution-focused brief therapy, which question is often used to elicit goals
and envision change?
A. Why do you think this happened?
B. What happened in your childhood?
C. What will be different when the problem is gone?
D. Can you describe the worst moment?
Rationale: This "miracle question" helps clients visualize goals and outcomes, a
key technique in solution-focused therapy.
12. What does transference refer to in psychotherapy?
A. The therapist’s emotional response to the client
B. The client projecting feelings from past relationships onto the therapist
C. The resistance to therapy by avoiding topics
D. Replacing irrational thoughts with rational ones
