1
TF-CBT CERT Exam Actual Exam 2026 | Complete
Exam Questions and Correct Answers with
Explanations | Graded A+ | Verified Answers | Just
Released
Alexa is an 8-year-old girl who disclosed sexual abuse by her two older
adolescent stepbrothers. While developing the first part of her trauma narrative,
she wrote "I am a bad girl. I think they messed up my body. I was really dumb
because I never told anyone." - (ANSWER)1. Alexa's statements are examples of:
a) Healthy or functional thoughts.
b) Cognitive distortions.
c) Cognitive realities.
d) Accurate but unhelpful thoughts.
2. How should the therapist proceed? (Alexa case) - (ANSWER)a) Tell Alexa that it
is not her fault and immediately begin to process her statements.
b) Allow Alexa to complete her trauma narrative and then begin cognitive
processing of the trauma narrative, including her statements.
c) Repeat the earlier components, beginning with Psychoeducation as this is a
clear example of the therapy not "sinking in."
d) Ask Alexa to start the trauma narrative again but this time tell her to only
include details about the sexual abuse, not any statements about herself or any
thoughts.
, 2
Justin is an 11-year-old boy who witnessed his father brutally attack his mother
with a baseball bat. During the middle of writing his trauma narrative, he wrote
that he intervened and attempted to defend his mother by fighting his father.
However, during individual sessions with his mother, it became apparent that
Justin had hidden behind the sofa and cried during the attack. - (ANSWER)3. How
should the therapist proceed?
a) Due to the problems associated with "false memories," confront Justin about
the inaccuracy immediately.
b) Talk to Justin about the difference between the "truth" and a "lie."
c) Recognize that it is not unusual for children to make fantasy or rescue
statements; allow Justin to complete his trauma narrative and gently challenge his
statements.
d) Talk with Justin's father to determine whether Justin or his mother is telling the
truth; then share this information with Justin.
In the example above, there is a concern that the father may have access to the
home and the therapist is worried about Justin's safety. The therapist is
concerned about following the TF-CBT model with fidelity and is not sure whether
it is okay to implement "Enhancing Safety and Future Development" without
completing the earlier components. - (ANSWER)4. How should the therapist
proceed?
, 3
a) Meet with the child's father and discuss the safety concerns.
b) Do not discuss safety because Justin and his mother would then blame
themselves for the domestic violence.
c) Engage in short-term safety planning with Justin and his mother.
d) Engage Justin in In Vivo Desensitization as his concern about safety is a
cognitive distortion.
Monty is a 7-year-old boy who was a victim of sexual abuse for two years by his
adoptive parents. As part of the assessment, he completed the UCLA PTSD
Reaction Index and his total score was in the severe range, including very serious
re-experiencing symptoms. When the therapist discussed the TF-CBT treatment
approach with him, including that he would be writing his story about the sexual
abuse, Monty became excited and began to discuss the trauma in great detail. So,
the therapist, encouraged by Monty's willingness to talk, complied with his wishes
and allowed him to create his trauma narrative over the first three treatment
sessions. During and after the completion of the trauma narrative, Monty's
behavior began to deteriorate, including acting-out sexually, soiling himself,
refusing to sleep in his own room, and engaging in other dangerous behaviors
that warranted a short-term hospitalization. - (ANSWER)5. What should the
therapist have done instead?
a) Listened to Monty for a few minutes and redirected him; initiated
Psychoeducation and subsequent skills-based components before moving to the
trauma narrative.
TF-CBT CERT Exam Actual Exam 2026 | Complete
Exam Questions and Correct Answers with
Explanations | Graded A+ | Verified Answers | Just
Released
Alexa is an 8-year-old girl who disclosed sexual abuse by her two older
adolescent stepbrothers. While developing the first part of her trauma narrative,
she wrote "I am a bad girl. I think they messed up my body. I was really dumb
because I never told anyone." - (ANSWER)1. Alexa's statements are examples of:
a) Healthy or functional thoughts.
b) Cognitive distortions.
c) Cognitive realities.
d) Accurate but unhelpful thoughts.
2. How should the therapist proceed? (Alexa case) - (ANSWER)a) Tell Alexa that it
is not her fault and immediately begin to process her statements.
b) Allow Alexa to complete her trauma narrative and then begin cognitive
processing of the trauma narrative, including her statements.
c) Repeat the earlier components, beginning with Psychoeducation as this is a
clear example of the therapy not "sinking in."
d) Ask Alexa to start the trauma narrative again but this time tell her to only
include details about the sexual abuse, not any statements about herself or any
thoughts.
, 2
Justin is an 11-year-old boy who witnessed his father brutally attack his mother
with a baseball bat. During the middle of writing his trauma narrative, he wrote
that he intervened and attempted to defend his mother by fighting his father.
However, during individual sessions with his mother, it became apparent that
Justin had hidden behind the sofa and cried during the attack. - (ANSWER)3. How
should the therapist proceed?
a) Due to the problems associated with "false memories," confront Justin about
the inaccuracy immediately.
b) Talk to Justin about the difference between the "truth" and a "lie."
c) Recognize that it is not unusual for children to make fantasy or rescue
statements; allow Justin to complete his trauma narrative and gently challenge his
statements.
d) Talk with Justin's father to determine whether Justin or his mother is telling the
truth; then share this information with Justin.
In the example above, there is a concern that the father may have access to the
home and the therapist is worried about Justin's safety. The therapist is
concerned about following the TF-CBT model with fidelity and is not sure whether
it is okay to implement "Enhancing Safety and Future Development" without
completing the earlier components. - (ANSWER)4. How should the therapist
proceed?
, 3
a) Meet with the child's father and discuss the safety concerns.
b) Do not discuss safety because Justin and his mother would then blame
themselves for the domestic violence.
c) Engage in short-term safety planning with Justin and his mother.
d) Engage Justin in In Vivo Desensitization as his concern about safety is a
cognitive distortion.
Monty is a 7-year-old boy who was a victim of sexual abuse for two years by his
adoptive parents. As part of the assessment, he completed the UCLA PTSD
Reaction Index and his total score was in the severe range, including very serious
re-experiencing symptoms. When the therapist discussed the TF-CBT treatment
approach with him, including that he would be writing his story about the sexual
abuse, Monty became excited and began to discuss the trauma in great detail. So,
the therapist, encouraged by Monty's willingness to talk, complied with his wishes
and allowed him to create his trauma narrative over the first three treatment
sessions. During and after the completion of the trauma narrative, Monty's
behavior began to deteriorate, including acting-out sexually, soiling himself,
refusing to sleep in his own room, and engaging in other dangerous behaviors
that warranted a short-term hospitalization. - (ANSWER)5. What should the
therapist have done instead?
a) Listened to Monty for a few minutes and redirected him; initiated
Psychoeducation and subsequent skills-based components before moving to the
trauma narrative.
