,Chapter 1: The Nurse Psychotherapist and a Framework for Practice
Entry 1 — Test Bank Question
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of the nurse
psychotherapist in clinical practice?
A) Prescribing psychotropic medications exclusively
B) Delivering evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions
alongside nursing care
C) Conducting laboratory tests for psychiatric diagnoses
D) Providing only supportive counseling without structured therapy
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse psychotherapist integrates evidence-based
psychotherapeutic approaches with nursing care to holistically address
patients’ mental health needs, beyond medication management or supportive
counseling alone.
Entry 2 — Case Study
Case Scenario:
A newly licensed psychiatric nurse has completed training in psychotherapy
and begins working in an outpatient mental health clinic. She is eager to
apply a structured therapeutic framework but feels uncertain about integrating
theory with practical patient interactions. Her clinical supervisor encourages
her to develop a personalized framework aligning her nursing values with
evidence-based psychotherapy principles while maintaining professional
boundaries and therapeutic alliances.
Key Issues:
Integration of nursing roles with psychotherapeutic skills
Establishing a personal and professional framework for practice
Maintaining therapeutic boundaries and ethical practice
Building therapeutic alliances with patients
,Guiding Questions:
How can the nurse psychotherapist balance nursing care with
psychotherapeutic interventions?
What factors should be considered when developing a personal
framework for psychotherapy?
Why are therapeutic boundaries critical, and how can they be
maintained?
How can trust and alliance be established with patients in therapy?
Suggested Solution:
The nurse should reflect on core nursing values (e.g., empathy, holistic care)
and integrate these with evidence-based therapeutic models like CBT or
psychodynamic therapy. She must clearly define professional boundaries and
seek supervision regularly. Building a strong therapeutic alliance involves
active listening, empathy, and consistent communication. Ongoing self-
reflection and training support the development of a coherent practice
framework.
Entry 3 — Test Bank Question
2. A key component in the nurse psychotherapist’s framework is
understanding the therapeutic relationship. Which statement best
describes this relationship?
A) A formal contract emphasizing patient compliance
B) A collaborative partnership fostering patient empowerment and
healing
C) A hierarchical interaction with the therapist as the expert authority
D) A casual friendship to build rapport quickly
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic relationship is a collaborative and empowering
alliance where the patient actively participates in their healing process,
supported by the nurse psychotherapist’s guidance and expertise.
, Entry 4 — Case Study
Case Scenario:
A nurse psychotherapist is seeing a patient diagnosed with depression who
shows resistance to treatment and has difficulty trusting healthcare providers.
The nurse reflects on how to structure the therapeutic relationship to engage
the patient effectively. She decides to focus on building rapport slowly,
clarifying roles, and setting mutually agreed-upon goals while remaining
patient-centered and nonjudgmental.
Key Issues:
Managing resistance and mistrust in therapy
Structuring the therapeutic relationship for engagement
Setting clear roles and goals collaboratively
Employing patience and nonjudgmental attitudes
Guiding Questions:
What strategies can the nurse use to reduce patient resistance?
How can roles and expectations be clarified in therapy?
Why is patience important in building trust with resistant patients?
How does a nonjudgmental approach facilitate engagement?
Suggested Solution:
The nurse should prioritize active listening and validate the patient’s
concerns to reduce resistance. Clearly explaining the therapy process and
collaboratively setting goals help clarify roles. Patience and consistency
foster trust, while a nonjudgmental stance encourages openness. Supervision
and reflective practice support ongoing skill development.
5. Test Bank Question
5. Which theoretical orientation emphasizes understanding unconscious
processes and early life experiences within the nurse psychotherapist’s
framework?
A) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Entry 1 — Test Bank Question
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of the nurse
psychotherapist in clinical practice?
A) Prescribing psychotropic medications exclusively
B) Delivering evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions
alongside nursing care
C) Conducting laboratory tests for psychiatric diagnoses
D) Providing only supportive counseling without structured therapy
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse psychotherapist integrates evidence-based
psychotherapeutic approaches with nursing care to holistically address
patients’ mental health needs, beyond medication management or supportive
counseling alone.
Entry 2 — Case Study
Case Scenario:
A newly licensed psychiatric nurse has completed training in psychotherapy
and begins working in an outpatient mental health clinic. She is eager to
apply a structured therapeutic framework but feels uncertain about integrating
theory with practical patient interactions. Her clinical supervisor encourages
her to develop a personalized framework aligning her nursing values with
evidence-based psychotherapy principles while maintaining professional
boundaries and therapeutic alliances.
Key Issues:
Integration of nursing roles with psychotherapeutic skills
Establishing a personal and professional framework for practice
Maintaining therapeutic boundaries and ethical practice
Building therapeutic alliances with patients
,Guiding Questions:
How can the nurse psychotherapist balance nursing care with
psychotherapeutic interventions?
What factors should be considered when developing a personal
framework for psychotherapy?
Why are therapeutic boundaries critical, and how can they be
maintained?
How can trust and alliance be established with patients in therapy?
Suggested Solution:
The nurse should reflect on core nursing values (e.g., empathy, holistic care)
and integrate these with evidence-based therapeutic models like CBT or
psychodynamic therapy. She must clearly define professional boundaries and
seek supervision regularly. Building a strong therapeutic alliance involves
active listening, empathy, and consistent communication. Ongoing self-
reflection and training support the development of a coherent practice
framework.
Entry 3 — Test Bank Question
2. A key component in the nurse psychotherapist’s framework is
understanding the therapeutic relationship. Which statement best
describes this relationship?
A) A formal contract emphasizing patient compliance
B) A collaborative partnership fostering patient empowerment and
healing
C) A hierarchical interaction with the therapist as the expert authority
D) A casual friendship to build rapport quickly
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic relationship is a collaborative and empowering
alliance where the patient actively participates in their healing process,
supported by the nurse psychotherapist’s guidance and expertise.
, Entry 4 — Case Study
Case Scenario:
A nurse psychotherapist is seeing a patient diagnosed with depression who
shows resistance to treatment and has difficulty trusting healthcare providers.
The nurse reflects on how to structure the therapeutic relationship to engage
the patient effectively. She decides to focus on building rapport slowly,
clarifying roles, and setting mutually agreed-upon goals while remaining
patient-centered and nonjudgmental.
Key Issues:
Managing resistance and mistrust in therapy
Structuring the therapeutic relationship for engagement
Setting clear roles and goals collaboratively
Employing patience and nonjudgmental attitudes
Guiding Questions:
What strategies can the nurse use to reduce patient resistance?
How can roles and expectations be clarified in therapy?
Why is patience important in building trust with resistant patients?
How does a nonjudgmental approach facilitate engagement?
Suggested Solution:
The nurse should prioritize active listening and validate the patient’s
concerns to reduce resistance. Clearly explaining the therapy process and
collaboratively setting goals help clarify roles. Patience and consistency
foster trust, while a nonjudgmental stance encourages openness. Supervision
and reflective practice support ongoing skill development.
5. Test Bank Question
5. Which theoretical orientation emphasizes understanding unconscious
processes and early life experiences within the nurse psychotherapist’s
framework?
A) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
