Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Exam Guide | Fall Semester 2025/2026 Updated Test
Bank & Study Pack | 230+ Verified Practice Questions
with Detailed Answers & Rationales | Complete
Counseling Techniques, Psychotherapy Review, and
Study Guide for Psychology and Counseling Students
QUESTION: 1
Case: A client presents with anxiety about public speaking. What is the most
appropriate initial approach?
A) Cognitive restructuring
B) Psychoeducation about anxiety (Correct Option)
C) Exposure therapy
D) Medication management
RATIONALE: Psychoeducation helps the client understand their anxiety, which can
empower them and reduce fear.
QUESTION: 2
Case: A client expresses feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. What is the
primary focus of a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach?
A) Exploring childhood experiences
B) Identifying and changing negative thought patterns (Correct Option)
C) Using dream analysis
D) Focusing on the therapeutic relationship
RATIONALE: CBT focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns that
contribute to emotional distress.
QUESTION: 3
Case: A therapist notices a client becoming increasingly withdrawn during sessions.
What should the therapist do?
A) Confront the client about their behavior
B) Explore the client's feelings about the therapy process (Correct Option)
C) Change the topic to something lighter
D) Suggest terminating therapy
RATIONALE: Exploring the client's feelings can uncover underlying issues and
improve the therapeutic relationship.
QUESTION: 4
Case: A client struggles with low self-esteem and negative self-talk. Which therapeutic
technique would be most beneficial?
A) Affirmation exercises (Correct Option)
B) Dream analysis
,C) Free association
D) Role-playing
RATIONALE: Affirmation exercises can help the client develop a more positive self-
image by challenging negative self-talk.
QUESTION: 5
Case: A client reports recurring nightmares about a traumatic event. What type of
therapy is most appropriate?
A) CBT
B) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (Correct Option)
C) Humanistic therapy
D) Psychoanalytic therapy
RATIONALE: EMDR is specifically designed to help clients process traumatic
memories and reduce their emotional impact.
QUESTION: 6
Case: During a session, a client expresses anger towards their parents. What is the best
response for the therapist?
A) Dismiss the feelings
B) Validate the client's feelings and explore them further (Correct Option)
C) Change the subject
D) Suggest they forgive their parents
RATIONALE: Validating and exploring feelings can help clients process their emotions
and understand their impact.
QUESTION: 7
Case: A therapist is working with a client who has a history of substance abuse. What is
the most critical factor in this case?
A) Establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship (Correct Option)
B) Focusing solely on behavior change
C) Encouraging immediate abstinence
D) Analyzing childhood trauma
RATIONALE: A trusting therapeutic relationship is vital for clients with substance abuse
issues, as it fosters openness and honesty.
QUESTION: 8
Case: A client expresses a desire to change but feels stuck. What approach can the
therapist take to facilitate change?
,A) Motivational interviewing (Correct Option)
B) Confrontational techniques
C) Directive counseling
D) Unconditional positive regard
RATIONALE: Motivational interviewing helps clients explore their ambivalence and
reinforces their motivation for change.
QUESTION: 9
Case: A therapist uses a strengths-based approach with a client. What is the primary
focus of this approach?
A) Analyzing past traumas
B) Identifying and utilizing client strengths (Correct Option)
C) Focusing on deficits and weaknesses
D) Establishing behavioral goals
RATIONALE: The strengths-based approach emphasizes the client's resources and
abilities to foster resilience and growth.
QUESTION: 10
Case: A client presents with depression and reports feeling isolated. What therapeutic
technique can help address this?
A) Social skills training (Correct Option)
B) Cognitive restructuring
C) Dream analysis
D) Exposure therapy
RATIONALE: Social skills training can help the client improve their interpersonal
relationships, reducing feelings of isolation.
QUESTION: 11
Case: A therapist is working with a couple experiencing communication issues. What is
the best initial step?
A) Assign homework
B) Facilitate a discussion to identify communication patterns (Correct Option)
C) Suggest separation
D) Encourage avoidance of conflict
RATIONALE: Identifying communication patterns helps the couple understand their
dynamics and is crucial for effective intervention.
, QUESTION: 12
Case: A client is resistant to discussing their childhood. What should the therapist do?
A) Respect the client's boundaries and explore their present concerns (Correct
Option)
B) Pressure them to open up
C) Change the session topic
D) Terminate therapy
RATIONALE: Respecting boundaries fosters a safe environment, allowing the client to
open up when ready.
QUESTION: 13
Case: A therapist notices that a client frequently interrupts during sessions. What is the
best course of action?
A) Ignore the behavior
B) Address the interruption directly and explore its meaning (Correct Option)
C) Cut the session short
D) Change the topic to avoid conflict
RATIONALE: Addressing the behavior can provide insights into the client's
communication style and feelings about the therapy process.
QUESTION: 14
Case: A client describes feeling overwhelmed by work and family responsibilities. What
therapeutic technique can help them prioritize tasks?
A) Cognitive-behavioral techniques for time management (Correct Option)
B) Dream analysis
C) Free association
D) Psychodynamic exploration
RATIONALE: Cognitive-behavioral techniques can help clients develop practical
strategies for managing their time and responsibilities.
QUESTION: 15
Case: In a session, a client reveals a traumatic experience. What is the most appropriate
initial response from the therapist?
A) Change the subject
B) Validate the client's feelings and provide emotional support (Correct Option)
C) Suggest they forget about it
D) Challenge their perception of the event
RATIONALE: Validating feelings and providing support is crucial for creating a safe
space to process trauma.
Exam Guide | Fall Semester 2025/2026 Updated Test
Bank & Study Pack | 230+ Verified Practice Questions
with Detailed Answers & Rationales | Complete
Counseling Techniques, Psychotherapy Review, and
Study Guide for Psychology and Counseling Students
QUESTION: 1
Case: A client presents with anxiety about public speaking. What is the most
appropriate initial approach?
A) Cognitive restructuring
B) Psychoeducation about anxiety (Correct Option)
C) Exposure therapy
D) Medication management
RATIONALE: Psychoeducation helps the client understand their anxiety, which can
empower them and reduce fear.
QUESTION: 2
Case: A client expresses feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. What is the
primary focus of a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach?
A) Exploring childhood experiences
B) Identifying and changing negative thought patterns (Correct Option)
C) Using dream analysis
D) Focusing on the therapeutic relationship
RATIONALE: CBT focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns that
contribute to emotional distress.
QUESTION: 3
Case: A therapist notices a client becoming increasingly withdrawn during sessions.
What should the therapist do?
A) Confront the client about their behavior
B) Explore the client's feelings about the therapy process (Correct Option)
C) Change the topic to something lighter
D) Suggest terminating therapy
RATIONALE: Exploring the client's feelings can uncover underlying issues and
improve the therapeutic relationship.
QUESTION: 4
Case: A client struggles with low self-esteem and negative self-talk. Which therapeutic
technique would be most beneficial?
A) Affirmation exercises (Correct Option)
B) Dream analysis
,C) Free association
D) Role-playing
RATIONALE: Affirmation exercises can help the client develop a more positive self-
image by challenging negative self-talk.
QUESTION: 5
Case: A client reports recurring nightmares about a traumatic event. What type of
therapy is most appropriate?
A) CBT
B) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (Correct Option)
C) Humanistic therapy
D) Psychoanalytic therapy
RATIONALE: EMDR is specifically designed to help clients process traumatic
memories and reduce their emotional impact.
QUESTION: 6
Case: During a session, a client expresses anger towards their parents. What is the best
response for the therapist?
A) Dismiss the feelings
B) Validate the client's feelings and explore them further (Correct Option)
C) Change the subject
D) Suggest they forgive their parents
RATIONALE: Validating and exploring feelings can help clients process their emotions
and understand their impact.
QUESTION: 7
Case: A therapist is working with a client who has a history of substance abuse. What is
the most critical factor in this case?
A) Establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship (Correct Option)
B) Focusing solely on behavior change
C) Encouraging immediate abstinence
D) Analyzing childhood trauma
RATIONALE: A trusting therapeutic relationship is vital for clients with substance abuse
issues, as it fosters openness and honesty.
QUESTION: 8
Case: A client expresses a desire to change but feels stuck. What approach can the
therapist take to facilitate change?
,A) Motivational interviewing (Correct Option)
B) Confrontational techniques
C) Directive counseling
D) Unconditional positive regard
RATIONALE: Motivational interviewing helps clients explore their ambivalence and
reinforces their motivation for change.
QUESTION: 9
Case: A therapist uses a strengths-based approach with a client. What is the primary
focus of this approach?
A) Analyzing past traumas
B) Identifying and utilizing client strengths (Correct Option)
C) Focusing on deficits and weaknesses
D) Establishing behavioral goals
RATIONALE: The strengths-based approach emphasizes the client's resources and
abilities to foster resilience and growth.
QUESTION: 10
Case: A client presents with depression and reports feeling isolated. What therapeutic
technique can help address this?
A) Social skills training (Correct Option)
B) Cognitive restructuring
C) Dream analysis
D) Exposure therapy
RATIONALE: Social skills training can help the client improve their interpersonal
relationships, reducing feelings of isolation.
QUESTION: 11
Case: A therapist is working with a couple experiencing communication issues. What is
the best initial step?
A) Assign homework
B) Facilitate a discussion to identify communication patterns (Correct Option)
C) Suggest separation
D) Encourage avoidance of conflict
RATIONALE: Identifying communication patterns helps the couple understand their
dynamics and is crucial for effective intervention.
, QUESTION: 12
Case: A client is resistant to discussing their childhood. What should the therapist do?
A) Respect the client's boundaries and explore their present concerns (Correct
Option)
B) Pressure them to open up
C) Change the session topic
D) Terminate therapy
RATIONALE: Respecting boundaries fosters a safe environment, allowing the client to
open up when ready.
QUESTION: 13
Case: A therapist notices that a client frequently interrupts during sessions. What is the
best course of action?
A) Ignore the behavior
B) Address the interruption directly and explore its meaning (Correct Option)
C) Cut the session short
D) Change the topic to avoid conflict
RATIONALE: Addressing the behavior can provide insights into the client's
communication style and feelings about the therapy process.
QUESTION: 14
Case: A client describes feeling overwhelmed by work and family responsibilities. What
therapeutic technique can help them prioritize tasks?
A) Cognitive-behavioral techniques for time management (Correct Option)
B) Dream analysis
C) Free association
D) Psychodynamic exploration
RATIONALE: Cognitive-behavioral techniques can help clients develop practical
strategies for managing their time and responsibilities.
QUESTION: 15
Case: In a session, a client reveals a traumatic experience. What is the most appropriate
initial response from the therapist?
A) Change the subject
B) Validate the client's feelings and provide emotional support (Correct Option)
C) Suggest they forget about it
D) Challenge their perception of the event
RATIONALE: Validating feelings and providing support is crucial for creating a safe
space to process trauma.
