NURS 753 – LIBERTY UNIVERSITY (2025-
2026) COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES
FOR CBT, DBT, MI, AND IPT IN PMHNP
PRACTICE
Overview
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Core Principles
• CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
• Dysfunctional thinking patterns contribute to emotional distress.
• Clients learn to identify and restructure cognitive distortions.
• CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and time-limited.
Key Concepts
Automatic Thoughts
• Immediate thoughts that occur in response to situations.
• Often negative and distorted.
• Example: “I always fail.”
Cognitive Distortions
Common distortions include:
• Catastrophizing
• Black-and-white thinking
• Overgeneralization
• Personalization
• Mind reading
Cognitive Restructuring
• Helps clients challenge irrational beliefs.
• Replaces distorted thoughts with realistic alternatives.
, Behavioral Interventions
• Behavioral activation
• Exposure therapy
• Activity scheduling
• Homework assignments
PMHNP Application
• Effective for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and insomnia.
• Encourages collaborative therapeutic relationships.
• Requires active participation from the client.
CBT Practice Questions
Question 1
A PMHNP asks a client to identify evidence supporting and disproving the thought, “Nobody
likes me.” Which CBT technique is being used?
A. Behavioral activation B. Cognitive restructuring C. Mindfulness training D. Free
association
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive restructuring
Rationale
Cognitive restructuring helps clients examine distorted thoughts and replace them with
balanced thinking patterns.
Question 2
Which statement best reflects a cognitive distortion?
A. “I made a mistake on one test, so I am a complete failure.” B. “I am nervous before my
interview.” C. “I need more sleep.” D. “My symptoms improved after therapy.”
Correct Answer: A. “I made a mistake on one test, so I am a complete failure.”
Rationale
This statement demonstrates overgeneralization and all-or-nothing thinking.
2026) COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES
FOR CBT, DBT, MI, AND IPT IN PMHNP
PRACTICE
Overview
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Core Principles
• CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
• Dysfunctional thinking patterns contribute to emotional distress.
• Clients learn to identify and restructure cognitive distortions.
• CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and time-limited.
Key Concepts
Automatic Thoughts
• Immediate thoughts that occur in response to situations.
• Often negative and distorted.
• Example: “I always fail.”
Cognitive Distortions
Common distortions include:
• Catastrophizing
• Black-and-white thinking
• Overgeneralization
• Personalization
• Mind reading
Cognitive Restructuring
• Helps clients challenge irrational beliefs.
• Replaces distorted thoughts with realistic alternatives.
, Behavioral Interventions
• Behavioral activation
• Exposure therapy
• Activity scheduling
• Homework assignments
PMHNP Application
• Effective for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and insomnia.
• Encourages collaborative therapeutic relationships.
• Requires active participation from the client.
CBT Practice Questions
Question 1
A PMHNP asks a client to identify evidence supporting and disproving the thought, “Nobody
likes me.” Which CBT technique is being used?
A. Behavioral activation B. Cognitive restructuring C. Mindfulness training D. Free
association
Correct Answer: B. Cognitive restructuring
Rationale
Cognitive restructuring helps clients examine distorted thoughts and replace them with
balanced thinking patterns.
Question 2
Which statement best reflects a cognitive distortion?
A. “I made a mistake on one test, so I am a complete failure.” B. “I am nervous before my
interview.” C. “I need more sleep.” D. “My symptoms improved after therapy.”
Correct Answer: A. “I made a mistake on one test, so I am a complete failure.”
Rationale
This statement demonstrates overgeneralization and all-or-nothing thinking.
