NUR 661 Exam 2 2026 | 180+ Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Key Topics: Group Therapy, Psychodrama, Psychodynamic Therapy, Defense Mechanisms, Erikson's Stages & Therapeutic Communication | Maryville University

Prepare for Maryville University NUR 661 Exam 2 with this comprehensive 2026 study guide featuring 180+ expertly verified practice questions and detailed answers covering the core concepts of advanced psychiatric-mental health nursing, group psychotherapy, and therapeutic interventions. This exam preparation resource provides an in-depth review of group counseling principles, therapeutic communication, psychodynamic therapy, psychodrama, psychoanalytic concepts, defense mechanisms, group leadership, transference, countertransference, Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory, and evidence-based psychiatric nursing interventions. The structured question-and-answer format strengthens clinical reasoning, enhances therapeutic decision-making, and prepares graduate nursing students for examinations and advanced psychiatric clinical practice. This comprehensive review closely aligns with the learning outcomes assessed in NUR 661, providing extensive coverage of group leadership skills, therapeutic communication techniques, informed consent, group counseling versus group therapy, psychotherapy groups, psychoeducational groups, self-exploration groups, task groups, homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, group development stages, resistance, trust building, catharsis, free association, psychodynamic therapy, psychodrama, role reversal, doubling, soliloquy, empty chair technique, future projection, replay, role training, therapeutic feedback, facilitating, blocking, empathy, interpretation, cognitive restructuring, transference, countertransference, defense mechanisms (denial, repression, projection, displacement, regression, reaction formation, rationalization), Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development, brief psychodynamic therapy, dream analysis, anxiety, therapeutic alliance, and evidence-based group psychotherapy interventions. The practice questions emphasize application of psychotherapy theories and advanced psychiatric nursing concepts commonly evaluated in graduate nursing education. The content is consistent with contemporary psychiatric-mental health nursing education and reflects evidence-based concepts from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), and leading psychotherapy literature. Core concepts align with nationally recognized standards in psychiatric assessment, therapeutic communication, psychodynamic psychotherapy, group therapy facilitation, trauma-informed care, cognitive restructuring, and psychiatric nursing practice. Whether preparing for NUR 661 Exam 2, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) coursework, or advanced psychiatric clinical practice, this study guide provides a comprehensive review of the essential knowledge and clinical competencies required for graduate-level psychiatric nursing. Relevant for Students: Maryville University NUR 661 students Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) students Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) students Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing students Graduate Nursing students Behavioral Health students Psychotherapy students Counseling students Mental Health Nursing students Healthcare professionals specializing in psychiatric and behavioral health References: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing. American Nurses Association. (2022). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (3rd ed.). Corey, G. (2021). Theory and Practice of Group Counseling (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (6th ed.). Basic Books. Moreno, J. L. (2012). Psychodrama (Vol. 1). North-West Psychodrama Association. Erikson, E. H. (1993). Childhood and Society. W. W. Norton & Company. American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). Psychotherapy and Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Practice Resources. Keywords: NUR 661, NUR 661 Exam 2, Maryville University, psychiatric mental health nursing, PMHNP, group therapy, group counseling, psychotherapy, psychodynamic therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, psychodrama, therapeutic communication, group leadership, therapeutic alliance, informed consent, group development, trust building, resistance, catharsis, free association, transference, countertransference, cognitive restructuring, defense mechanisms, denial, repression, projection, displacement, regression, reaction formation, rationalization, Erikson stages, psychosocial development, role reversal, doubling, soliloquy, empty chair, future projection, replay, role training, self exploration groups, psychoeducational groups, task groups, brief psychodynamic therapy, graduate nursing, psychiatric nursing, behavioral health, practice questions