Professional Practice in Psychology
(EPPP Part 2) Questions And Correct
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Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A 34-year-old male presents to your private practice with complaints of
persistent worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating for the past six
months. He reports that his symptoms have significantly impaired his work
performance and social relationships. He denies any history of panic
attacks, substance use, or medical conditions. During the initial interview,
he is cooperative and articulate. Based on the current diagnostic criteria,
which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic
consideration?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: This item assesses the application of diagnostic criteria for
anxiety disorders. The client presents with excessive worry and associated
symptoms (restlessness, difficulty concentrating) that have persisted for
longer than six months, meeting the core criteria for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD). Social Anxiety Disorder would involve fear of social
scrutiny, and Adjustment Disorder requires a clear stressor and typically
occurs within three months of its onset. Major Depressive Disorder is not
the primary diagnosis because the chief complaint is anxiety, not
depressed mood. Therefore, GAD is the most accurate diagnostic fit.
,2. A 52-year-old woman undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer reports
significant cognitive fog, memory lapses, and slowed processing speed. She
denies depressive symptoms but is distressed about her cognitive
functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation is requested. Which of the
following assessment tools would be most appropriate to quantify her
attentional deficits and information processing speed?
A. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) Digit Span
subtest
B. WAIS-IV Processing Speed Index subtests (Coding and Symbol Search)
C. California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)
D. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2)
Answer: B
Rationale: This item evaluates the selection of neuropsychological
instruments for specific cognitive domains. The Processing Speed Index
(PSI) of the WAIS-IV, comprising the Coding and Symbol Search subtests, is
explicitly designed to measure rapid visual scanning, visuomotor
coordination, and processing speed, which are directly relevant to the
patient's complaints. Digit Span measures auditory working memory, not
processing speed. The CVLT assesses verbal learning and memory. The
MMPI-2 is a personality inventory, not a cognitive measure. Thus, the PSI
subtests are the targeted tools.
3. During a supervision session, a supervisee reports that they feel
emotionally drained after working with several clients who have
experienced severe trauma. The supervisee expresses guilt about feeling
this way and worries they are not competent. What is the supervisor's most
appropriate initial response?
A. Reassure the supervisee that their feelings are normal and suggest they
take a vacation.
B. Explore the supervisee's experiences in depth, validate the emotional
impact of trauma work, and collaboratively develop a self-care and coping
plan.
C. Refer the supervisee for personal psychotherapy immediately to address
, their countertransference.
D. Provide the supervisee with a structured protocol for trauma treatment
to reduce their uncertainty.
Answer: B
Rationale: This item addresses supervision competencies and vicarious
trauma. The supervisor's role is to provide a supportive, educative, and
evaluative environment. Validating the supervisee's emotional response
(compassion fatigue/vicarious trauma) normalizes the experience and
reduces guilt. Collaboratively developing a self-care plan is a proactive,
strengths-based intervention. Simply suggesting a vacation (A) is
superficial. Immediately mandating personal therapy (C) may be
premature and pathologizing unless there is evidence of significant
impairment. Providing a protocol (D) addresses technique, not the
emotional distress. Therefore, exploring, validating, and planning
together is the most appropriate and ethical supervisory response.
4. A psychologist is conducting a court-ordered custody evaluation. Both
parents have legal representation, but the children are not represented. The
psychologist plans to interview the children individually. Which of the
following ethical principles is paramount when conducting these child
interviews in a forensic context?
A. The psychologist must provide a copy of the interview transcripts to both
attorneys upon request.
B. The psychologist must ensure that the children understand the purpose
of the interview, the limits of confidentiality, and the fact that the
information will be shared with the court.
C. The psychologist must refuse to interview the children without a
guardian ad litem present.
D. The psychologist must only interview the children in the presence of
their preferred parent to minimize distress.
Answer: B
Rationale: This item tests the application of ethics in forensic psychology,
specifically informed consent and confidentiality with minors. The
, principle of informed consent (Standard 3.10) requires that the
psychologist explain the nature and purpose of the assessment and the
limits of confidentiality, especially in a forensic setting where there is no
therapist-client confidentiality. While providing transcripts (A) is generally
not done without a court order and is not a primary ethical mandate in
the same way, ensuring understanding is fundamental. Refusing to
interview (C) or requiring a parent's presence (D) are overly rigid and may
compromise the validity of the evaluation. Thus, ensuring the child's
comprehension of the process and its limits is the paramount ethical
obligation.
5. A 28-year-old client with borderline personality disorder (BPD) reports
feeling "empty" and has engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (cutting) several
times in the past month. She has a history of volatile interpersonal
relationships and impulsivity. She expresses a desire to "feel something
real." Which of the following psychotherapeutic interventions is the most
evidence-based and indicated as the first-line treatment for this client?
A. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
C. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression
D. Psychodynamic psychotherapy focusing on early childhood trauma
E. Supportive expressive therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: This item assesses the selection of evidence-based
interventions for specific disorders. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is
the most empirically supported treatment for BPD, specifically designed to
address emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and chronic suicidality. CBT for
depression (C) is not specifically tailored for BPD's core pathology.
Psychodynamic therapy (D) lacks the strong empirical support for BPD
relative to DBT, though it has some evidence. Supportive therapy (E) may
be helpful but is not the first-line, evidence-based intervention. Therefore,
DBT is the correct answer.
(EPPP Part 2) Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 34-year-old male presents to your private practice with complaints of
persistent worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating for the past six
months. He reports that his symptoms have significantly impaired his work
performance and social relationships. He denies any history of panic
attacks, substance use, or medical conditions. During the initial interview,
he is cooperative and articulate. Based on the current diagnostic criteria,
which of the following is the most appropriate initial diagnostic
consideration?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
C. Social Anxiety Disorder
D. Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
Answer: B
Rationale: This item assesses the application of diagnostic criteria for
anxiety disorders. The client presents with excessive worry and associated
symptoms (restlessness, difficulty concentrating) that have persisted for
longer than six months, meeting the core criteria for Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD). Social Anxiety Disorder would involve fear of social
scrutiny, and Adjustment Disorder requires a clear stressor and typically
occurs within three months of its onset. Major Depressive Disorder is not
the primary diagnosis because the chief complaint is anxiety, not
depressed mood. Therefore, GAD is the most accurate diagnostic fit.
,2. A 52-year-old woman undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer reports
significant cognitive fog, memory lapses, and slowed processing speed. She
denies depressive symptoms but is distressed about her cognitive
functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation is requested. Which of the
following assessment tools would be most appropriate to quantify her
attentional deficits and information processing speed?
A. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) Digit Span
subtest
B. WAIS-IV Processing Speed Index subtests (Coding and Symbol Search)
C. California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)
D. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2)
Answer: B
Rationale: This item evaluates the selection of neuropsychological
instruments for specific cognitive domains. The Processing Speed Index
(PSI) of the WAIS-IV, comprising the Coding and Symbol Search subtests, is
explicitly designed to measure rapid visual scanning, visuomotor
coordination, and processing speed, which are directly relevant to the
patient's complaints. Digit Span measures auditory working memory, not
processing speed. The CVLT assesses verbal learning and memory. The
MMPI-2 is a personality inventory, not a cognitive measure. Thus, the PSI
subtests are the targeted tools.
3. During a supervision session, a supervisee reports that they feel
emotionally drained after working with several clients who have
experienced severe trauma. The supervisee expresses guilt about feeling
this way and worries they are not competent. What is the supervisor's most
appropriate initial response?
A. Reassure the supervisee that their feelings are normal and suggest they
take a vacation.
B. Explore the supervisee's experiences in depth, validate the emotional
impact of trauma work, and collaboratively develop a self-care and coping
plan.
C. Refer the supervisee for personal psychotherapy immediately to address
, their countertransference.
D. Provide the supervisee with a structured protocol for trauma treatment
to reduce their uncertainty.
Answer: B
Rationale: This item addresses supervision competencies and vicarious
trauma. The supervisor's role is to provide a supportive, educative, and
evaluative environment. Validating the supervisee's emotional response
(compassion fatigue/vicarious trauma) normalizes the experience and
reduces guilt. Collaboratively developing a self-care plan is a proactive,
strengths-based intervention. Simply suggesting a vacation (A) is
superficial. Immediately mandating personal therapy (C) may be
premature and pathologizing unless there is evidence of significant
impairment. Providing a protocol (D) addresses technique, not the
emotional distress. Therefore, exploring, validating, and planning
together is the most appropriate and ethical supervisory response.
4. A psychologist is conducting a court-ordered custody evaluation. Both
parents have legal representation, but the children are not represented. The
psychologist plans to interview the children individually. Which of the
following ethical principles is paramount when conducting these child
interviews in a forensic context?
A. The psychologist must provide a copy of the interview transcripts to both
attorneys upon request.
B. The psychologist must ensure that the children understand the purpose
of the interview, the limits of confidentiality, and the fact that the
information will be shared with the court.
C. The psychologist must refuse to interview the children without a
guardian ad litem present.
D. The psychologist must only interview the children in the presence of
their preferred parent to minimize distress.
Answer: B
Rationale: This item tests the application of ethics in forensic psychology,
specifically informed consent and confidentiality with minors. The
, principle of informed consent (Standard 3.10) requires that the
psychologist explain the nature and purpose of the assessment and the
limits of confidentiality, especially in a forensic setting where there is no
therapist-client confidentiality. While providing transcripts (A) is generally
not done without a court order and is not a primary ethical mandate in
the same way, ensuring understanding is fundamental. Refusing to
interview (C) or requiring a parent's presence (D) are overly rigid and may
compromise the validity of the evaluation. Thus, ensuring the child's
comprehension of the process and its limits is the paramount ethical
obligation.
5. A 28-year-old client with borderline personality disorder (BPD) reports
feeling "empty" and has engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (cutting) several
times in the past month. She has a history of volatile interpersonal
relationships and impulsivity. She expresses a desire to "feel something
real." Which of the following psychotherapeutic interventions is the most
evidence-based and indicated as the first-line treatment for this client?
A. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
C. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression
D. Psychodynamic psychotherapy focusing on early childhood trauma
E. Supportive expressive therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: This item assesses the selection of evidence-based
interventions for specific disorders. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is
the most empirically supported treatment for BPD, specifically designed to
address emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and chronic suicidality. CBT for
depression (C) is not specifically tailored for BPD's core pathology.
Psychodynamic therapy (D) lacks the strong empirical support for BPD
relative to DBT, though it has some evidence. Supportive therapy (E) may
be helpful but is not the first-line, evidence-based intervention. Therefore,
DBT is the correct answer.
