TF CBT CERT EXAM 2026 EXAM PREPARATION
PACK KEY THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES AND
SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS
◉ Jody is a 6 year-old girl who was attacked by a dog and left with
severe scars all over her legs. Since the dog attack, Jody has
experienced severe PTSD symptoms and significant oppositional
behavior problems. Her mother has felt intense guilt as Jody almost
died from the attack. She now cannot say no to anything her
daughter wants. The mother also reported that Jody's behavior is
extremely difficult to manage and the mother just cannot take her
anywhere. Jody has tantrums at the drop of a pin and becomes
fearful when there is any mention of a dog. Answer: . In the first TF-
CBT session, the therapist would typically:
a) Give Jody the freedom to talk about anything she likes throughout
the session.
b) Provide psychoeducation and express optimism about her ability
to help mother and child in 12 to 16 sessions.
c) Explain to mother that Jody has serious PTSD symptoms and that
treatment will likely continue for 1-2 years.
d) Strongly encourage Jody to talk about the details of the dog attack,
no matter how much anxiety this strategy would cause.
◉ 8. In order to help the mother respond to Jody's behavior
problems, it is important to: Answer: a) Engage in cognitive
,processing to encourage mother to accept responsibility for the dog
attack.
b) Examine Jody's early childhood experiences to determine the
source of her oppositional behaviors.
c) Encourage mom to ignore Jody when she complies with mother's
requests and give Jody lots of attention when Jody whines and does
not get her way.
d) Remind mom that she is acting in Jody's best interest when she
spanks Jody for having temper tantrums.
e) Encourage mom to praise Jody for listening to mom, not pay
attention to Jody's whining, and give Jody consistent time outs for
temper tantrums.
◉ 9. Jody probably developed temper tantrums after the dog attack
because: Answer: a) The dog attack caused her cortisol levels to
drop leading to anger.
b) Out of compassion for her daughter, the mother began to
overindulge Jody and not set appropriate limits.
c) Jody misses playing with dogs.
d) Jody is dissociative and her anger is expressed when she "zones
out."
◉ You have been working for about a month with Keisha, a 13-year-
old girl. She has a history of sexual abuse by both her paternal and
maternal uncles. Currently, she is living with her biological parents
, who are estranged from their families of origin. According to Keisha,
her parents have a history of domestic violence; specifically, they are
verbally aggressive to one another and her father has hit her mother
"once or twice." Keisha has a lot of strengths; she is bright and
sociable but has withdrawn from her friends and done poorly at
school since the sexual abuse started (at age 11). She and her
mother became quickly engaged in treatment. Keisha learned and
practiced the relaxation skills and affective expression and
modulation exercises. She also understands the cognitive triangle
and has been able to apply it to her struggles with her friends. Your
plan for the next session is to begin the trauma narrative and pr
Answer: 10. Which of the following might be a dysfunctional trauma-
related thought for Keisha?
a) Some of the men in my family have a lot of problems.
b) The sexual abuse was my fault.
c) My parents should get a divorce.
d) Many girls are sexually abused.
◉ 11. Which of the following is not a cognitive processing
intervention? Answer: a) Best friend role play.
b) Socratic questioning.
c) Presenting factual information inconsistent with the cognitive
distortion.
d) In vivo mastery.
PACK KEY THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES AND
SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH EXPLANATIONS
◉ Jody is a 6 year-old girl who was attacked by a dog and left with
severe scars all over her legs. Since the dog attack, Jody has
experienced severe PTSD symptoms and significant oppositional
behavior problems. Her mother has felt intense guilt as Jody almost
died from the attack. She now cannot say no to anything her
daughter wants. The mother also reported that Jody's behavior is
extremely difficult to manage and the mother just cannot take her
anywhere. Jody has tantrums at the drop of a pin and becomes
fearful when there is any mention of a dog. Answer: . In the first TF-
CBT session, the therapist would typically:
a) Give Jody the freedom to talk about anything she likes throughout
the session.
b) Provide psychoeducation and express optimism about her ability
to help mother and child in 12 to 16 sessions.
c) Explain to mother that Jody has serious PTSD symptoms and that
treatment will likely continue for 1-2 years.
d) Strongly encourage Jody to talk about the details of the dog attack,
no matter how much anxiety this strategy would cause.
◉ 8. In order to help the mother respond to Jody's behavior
problems, it is important to: Answer: a) Engage in cognitive
,processing to encourage mother to accept responsibility for the dog
attack.
b) Examine Jody's early childhood experiences to determine the
source of her oppositional behaviors.
c) Encourage mom to ignore Jody when she complies with mother's
requests and give Jody lots of attention when Jody whines and does
not get her way.
d) Remind mom that she is acting in Jody's best interest when she
spanks Jody for having temper tantrums.
e) Encourage mom to praise Jody for listening to mom, not pay
attention to Jody's whining, and give Jody consistent time outs for
temper tantrums.
◉ 9. Jody probably developed temper tantrums after the dog attack
because: Answer: a) The dog attack caused her cortisol levels to
drop leading to anger.
b) Out of compassion for her daughter, the mother began to
overindulge Jody and not set appropriate limits.
c) Jody misses playing with dogs.
d) Jody is dissociative and her anger is expressed when she "zones
out."
◉ You have been working for about a month with Keisha, a 13-year-
old girl. She has a history of sexual abuse by both her paternal and
maternal uncles. Currently, she is living with her biological parents
, who are estranged from their families of origin. According to Keisha,
her parents have a history of domestic violence; specifically, they are
verbally aggressive to one another and her father has hit her mother
"once or twice." Keisha has a lot of strengths; she is bright and
sociable but has withdrawn from her friends and done poorly at
school since the sexual abuse started (at age 11). She and her
mother became quickly engaged in treatment. Keisha learned and
practiced the relaxation skills and affective expression and
modulation exercises. She also understands the cognitive triangle
and has been able to apply it to her struggles with her friends. Your
plan for the next session is to begin the trauma narrative and pr
Answer: 10. Which of the following might be a dysfunctional trauma-
related thought for Keisha?
a) Some of the men in my family have a lot of problems.
b) The sexual abuse was my fault.
c) My parents should get a divorce.
d) Many girls are sexually abused.
◉ 11. Which of the following is not a cognitive processing
intervention? Answer: a) Best friend role play.
b) Socratic questioning.
c) Presenting factual information inconsistent with the cognitive
distortion.
d) In vivo mastery.
