Georgette's PMHNP Module 4: Psychotherapy and Related
Theories – Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales,
and Key Concepts for CBT, DBT, IPT, Psychodynamic
Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, and
Group Therapy
Exam Information
Course: Georgette's PMHNP Review – Module 4: Psychotherapy and Related Theories
Target Audience: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification
candidates
Core Domains Covered: Psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),
dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), family systems therapy,
humanistic/existential therapy, motivational interviewing, group therapy, and therapeutic
communication
Question Format: Multiple-choice, with answers and detailed rationales
Key Topics in This Module
Category Specific Focus Areas
, Psychodynamic Therapy Unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, free
association, transference, countertransference, object
relations theory
Cognitive Behavioral Cognitive distortions, automatic thoughts, behavioral
Therapy (CBT) activation, thought records, exposure therapy
Dialectical Behavior Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation,
Therapy (DBT) interpersonal effectiveness
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Role transitions, interpersonal disputes, grief, social skills
Humanistic/Existential Person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, meaning-making,
Therapy here-and-now focus
Family Systems Therapy Genograms, triangulation, boundaries, family roles,
structural family therapy
Motivational Interviewing OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections,
(MI) Summaries), change talk, stages of change
Group Therapy Yalom's therapeutic factors, stages of group development,
group norms, confidentiality
Therapeutic Empathy, active listening, reflection, confrontation,
Communication genuineness
Crisis Intervention Trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, safety
planning
SECTION 1: PSYCHODYNAMIC & PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY (Questions 1-15)
1. A PMHNP is working with a patient who consistently redirects the session to topics
unrelated to their stated goals and avoids discussing painful emotions. Which
defense mechanism is the patient most likely using?
, A) Projection
B) Sublimation
C) Intellectualization
D) Avoidance
Answer: D. Avoidance involves steering clear of distressing topics or emotions. Projection
is attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to others; sublimation is channeling impulses
into acceptable activities; intellectualization is using logic to avoid emotional impact.
2. A patient tells their PMHNP, "You remind me so much of my mother—always telling
me what to do." The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Countertransference
B) Transference
C) Resistance
D) Projection
Answer: B. Transference occurs when a patient unconsciously projects feelings about
significant others onto the therapist. Countertransference is the therapist's emotional
reaction to the patient.
3. Which of the following is a core concept of object relations theory?
A) The id, ego, and superego
B) Internal representations of relationships formed in early childhood
C) The collective unconscious
D) The hierarchy of needs
Answer: B. Object relations theory focuses on how early relationships with significant
others ("objects") shape internal mental representations that influence adult relationships.
, The id/ego/superego is Freudian structural theory; collective unconscious is Jungian;
hierarchy of needs is Maslow's.
4. A patient reports feeling "blank" and unable to access any emotions during
sessions. The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Resistance
B) Transference
C) Countertransference
D) Insight
Answer: A. Resistance refers to any behavior that blocks the therapeutic process, including
emotional numbing or avoidance of affect.
5. A PMHNP using psychodynamic therapy encourages a patient to say whatever
comes to mind without censorship. This technique is called:
A) Dream analysis
B) Interpretation
C) Free association
D) Catharsis
Answer: C. Free association is a fundamental technique in psychodynamic therapy where
patients verbalize thoughts without filtering.
6. A PMHNP notices they feel unusually irritated with a patient who reminds them of a
critical family member. This is an example of:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
Theories – Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales,
and Key Concepts for CBT, DBT, IPT, Psychodynamic
Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, and
Group Therapy
Exam Information
Course: Georgette's PMHNP Review – Module 4: Psychotherapy and Related Theories
Target Audience: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification
candidates
Core Domains Covered: Psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),
dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), family systems therapy,
humanistic/existential therapy, motivational interviewing, group therapy, and therapeutic
communication
Question Format: Multiple-choice, with answers and detailed rationales
Key Topics in This Module
Category Specific Focus Areas
, Psychodynamic Therapy Unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, free
association, transference, countertransference, object
relations theory
Cognitive Behavioral Cognitive distortions, automatic thoughts, behavioral
Therapy (CBT) activation, thought records, exposure therapy
Dialectical Behavior Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation,
Therapy (DBT) interpersonal effectiveness
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Role transitions, interpersonal disputes, grief, social skills
Humanistic/Existential Person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, meaning-making,
Therapy here-and-now focus
Family Systems Therapy Genograms, triangulation, boundaries, family roles,
structural family therapy
Motivational Interviewing OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections,
(MI) Summaries), change talk, stages of change
Group Therapy Yalom's therapeutic factors, stages of group development,
group norms, confidentiality
Therapeutic Empathy, active listening, reflection, confrontation,
Communication genuineness
Crisis Intervention Trauma-informed care, psychological first aid, safety
planning
SECTION 1: PSYCHODYNAMIC & PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY (Questions 1-15)
1. A PMHNP is working with a patient who consistently redirects the session to topics
unrelated to their stated goals and avoids discussing painful emotions. Which
defense mechanism is the patient most likely using?
, A) Projection
B) Sublimation
C) Intellectualization
D) Avoidance
Answer: D. Avoidance involves steering clear of distressing topics or emotions. Projection
is attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to others; sublimation is channeling impulses
into acceptable activities; intellectualization is using logic to avoid emotional impact.
2. A patient tells their PMHNP, "You remind me so much of my mother—always telling
me what to do." The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Countertransference
B) Transference
C) Resistance
D) Projection
Answer: B. Transference occurs when a patient unconsciously projects feelings about
significant others onto the therapist. Countertransference is the therapist's emotional
reaction to the patient.
3. Which of the following is a core concept of object relations theory?
A) The id, ego, and superego
B) Internal representations of relationships formed in early childhood
C) The collective unconscious
D) The hierarchy of needs
Answer: B. Object relations theory focuses on how early relationships with significant
others ("objects") shape internal mental representations that influence adult relationships.
, The id/ego/superego is Freudian structural theory; collective unconscious is Jungian;
hierarchy of needs is Maslow's.
4. A patient reports feeling "blank" and unable to access any emotions during
sessions. The PMHNP recognizes this as:
A) Resistance
B) Transference
C) Countertransference
D) Insight
Answer: A. Resistance refers to any behavior that blocks the therapeutic process, including
emotional numbing or avoidance of affect.
5. A PMHNP using psychodynamic therapy encourages a patient to say whatever
comes to mind without censorship. This technique is called:
A) Dream analysis
B) Interpretation
C) Free association
D) Catharsis
Answer: C. Free association is a fundamental technique in psychodynamic therapy where
patients verbalize thoughts without filtering.
6. A PMHNP notices they feel unusually irritated with a patient who reminds them of a
critical family member. This is an example of:
A) Transference
B) Countertransference
