Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis Practice Questions and
Answers 2023(CECE)
Which of the following questions might be asked by a counselor conducting a
biopsychosocial interview as part of a new client's intake appointment?
a. Do you drink or do drugs?
b. What do you consider to be your strengths?
c. How often do you get together with friends?
d. All of the above
d - Biopsychosocial interviews are holistic and comprehensive. Counselors who conduct
these interviews address the biological, psychological, and social aspects of their clients
lives in order to identify what is contributing to their clients' problems and guide
treatment planning/goal setting.
Which of the following interviews use the DSM-5?
a. Diagnostic interview
b. Biopsychosocial interview
c. Mental status exam
d. Screening
a - Diagnostic interviews are used to help diagnose mental illness. The DSM-5 is a
manual mental health professionals use with their clients to assess and diagnose
mental disorders. While it does not provide mental health professionals with guidelines
to treat a disorder, diagnosing accurately is an important first step in treatment.
Biopsychosocial interviews can help determine factors that contribute to a client's
problems and can help guide the treatment plan. Mental status exams are used to
assess a client's behavioral and cognitive functioning. It consists of descriptions based
on the counselor's observations of the client's appearance, behavior, level of
consciousness, attitude, perception, and affect. Screening is a process used when
selecting members for a small group.
For which client would a partial hospitalization program be the best place to get
care?
Jacob - A thirteen year old whose mother recently died. While he is exhibiting
some signs of depression, he is still maintaining a normal routine as far as
school and his social life are concerned.
Amanda - A six year old who was recently diagnosed with ADHD. She is
struggling in school because she is exhibiting a wide range of behaviors typically
associated with ADHD. Her parents recently joined a support group for parents to
try to help them sort through different treatment options.
Robert - A nine year old who is diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and is unable to currently control his
emotional and behavioral outbursts at both home and school.
Olivia - A sixteen year old who has attempted suicide in the past and recently
,disclosed to her therapist she is feeling suicidal again.
a. Jacob
b. Amanda
c. Robert
d. Olivia
c - Partial hospitalization programs provide clients with group therapy, educational
sessions, individual counseling and medication management. They can work with both
families and schools to plan for transition as the day program comes to an end. Of the
children in the above described scenarios, Robert would benefit from a partial
hospitalization program because he would be able to attend small group and individual
counseling sessions focused on helping him learn effective strategies to deal with his
emotions while decreasing negative behaviors. His parents/guardians as well as
educators could be involved in setting goals for treatment as well as transition. If he is
on medication, they will be able to manage/adjust his medication and if he is not, they
would talk with his parents/guardians about the pros and cons of starting medication.
Jacob and Amanda could both benefit from outpatient counseling. Olivia most likely
needs a higher level of care and after being assessed would benefit from inpatient
psychiatric services.
You are doing an intake, and you ask about family constellation, particularly the
client's family of origin. Your client tells you she has three siblings, all older by
eight years or more, and she has one younger sibling, three years her junior.
According to Adlerian theory, you can assume she will take the role of:
a. The oldest child
b. The youngest child
c. The middle child '
d. Adler did not believe that birth order affected personality
a - Adler believed birth order had a major impact on personality development. When
siblings are more than seven years apart, the child assumes the role of the oldest child.
After your initial session with Nicole, she asks you what you have diagnosed her
with. Because your theoretical orientation is Rogerian, you answer:
a. "Tell me about why that's important to you."
b. "You have ________________________."
c. "That is information for me to have to guide your treatment, but I cannot share
it with you."
d. "I don't like to work with diagnoses, as I see little benefit in doing so."
d - Rogerian counselors discourage diagnosis because using a diagnosis runs counter
to seeing each person as unique. It also puts the counselor in an authoritative/expert
role.
A counselor is setting up group therapy screening appointments. She gathers the
information that she will give the members to help them understand the process
of being part of a therapy group. The best predictor of client success in a therapy
group is:
a. Commitment
b. Dispelled myths about group
, c. What role one takes on
d. Their level of participation
a - Members that commit to change tend to attain positive outcome and therapeutic
benefit from group therapy.
In terms of a process group, pre-screening clients _____________________ group
member satisfaction.
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Has no effect on
a - Yalom noted that pre-group preparation increases member satisfaction with the
overall group experience.
The following is not appropriate content for the pre-group screening discussion?
a. The stages and roles of group
b. Common myths of group therapy
c. The client's needs and expectations
d. None of the above—they are all appropriate for discussion
d - During the screening process, the stages, roles, common myths, expectations,
needs and commitment should be discussion as should confidentiality
Children who experience frequent mood swings, tantrums, periods of anger and
depression were once diagnosed as having bi-polar disorder. Today, the
diagnosis would be:
a. Intermediate Explosive Disorder
b. Autism Spectrum Disorder
c. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
d. Asperger's Syndrome
c - The diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder was created in order to
prevent misdiagnosis and provide better treatment and care for children who do not
necessarily meet the criteria for bi-polar disorder and yet display symptoms of chronic,
severe, and or persistent irritability that manifest itself as frequent temper outburst in
response to the frustration that they are feeling.
A couple is concerned about the behavior of their 5 year old who periodically
throws tantrums and experiences angry outbursts when he is frustrated. This
child does not quite meet the criteria to be diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but a
counselor should withhold making the diagnosis because:
a. The parents have not disclosed whether there is a history of bi-polar disorder
in the family.
b. An improper diagnosis could result in the child being labeled "special
education" in the future.
c. Much of the child's behavior could possibly be considered "normal" if it is
found that the couple lacks parenting skills.
d. All of the above.
d - Children between the ages of 6 and 18 who experience persistent irritability,
tantrums and behaviors more than three times a week for more than a year may be
experiencing Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. The child in this case is 5 years
old and he or she may be considered too young for the diagnosis of DMDD. What has
Answers 2023(CECE)
Which of the following questions might be asked by a counselor conducting a
biopsychosocial interview as part of a new client's intake appointment?
a. Do you drink or do drugs?
b. What do you consider to be your strengths?
c. How often do you get together with friends?
d. All of the above
d - Biopsychosocial interviews are holistic and comprehensive. Counselors who conduct
these interviews address the biological, psychological, and social aspects of their clients
lives in order to identify what is contributing to their clients' problems and guide
treatment planning/goal setting.
Which of the following interviews use the DSM-5?
a. Diagnostic interview
b. Biopsychosocial interview
c. Mental status exam
d. Screening
a - Diagnostic interviews are used to help diagnose mental illness. The DSM-5 is a
manual mental health professionals use with their clients to assess and diagnose
mental disorders. While it does not provide mental health professionals with guidelines
to treat a disorder, diagnosing accurately is an important first step in treatment.
Biopsychosocial interviews can help determine factors that contribute to a client's
problems and can help guide the treatment plan. Mental status exams are used to
assess a client's behavioral and cognitive functioning. It consists of descriptions based
on the counselor's observations of the client's appearance, behavior, level of
consciousness, attitude, perception, and affect. Screening is a process used when
selecting members for a small group.
For which client would a partial hospitalization program be the best place to get
care?
Jacob - A thirteen year old whose mother recently died. While he is exhibiting
some signs of depression, he is still maintaining a normal routine as far as
school and his social life are concerned.
Amanda - A six year old who was recently diagnosed with ADHD. She is
struggling in school because she is exhibiting a wide range of behaviors typically
associated with ADHD. Her parents recently joined a support group for parents to
try to help them sort through different treatment options.
Robert - A nine year old who is diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and is unable to currently control his
emotional and behavioral outbursts at both home and school.
Olivia - A sixteen year old who has attempted suicide in the past and recently
,disclosed to her therapist she is feeling suicidal again.
a. Jacob
b. Amanda
c. Robert
d. Olivia
c - Partial hospitalization programs provide clients with group therapy, educational
sessions, individual counseling and medication management. They can work with both
families and schools to plan for transition as the day program comes to an end. Of the
children in the above described scenarios, Robert would benefit from a partial
hospitalization program because he would be able to attend small group and individual
counseling sessions focused on helping him learn effective strategies to deal with his
emotions while decreasing negative behaviors. His parents/guardians as well as
educators could be involved in setting goals for treatment as well as transition. If he is
on medication, they will be able to manage/adjust his medication and if he is not, they
would talk with his parents/guardians about the pros and cons of starting medication.
Jacob and Amanda could both benefit from outpatient counseling. Olivia most likely
needs a higher level of care and after being assessed would benefit from inpatient
psychiatric services.
You are doing an intake, and you ask about family constellation, particularly the
client's family of origin. Your client tells you she has three siblings, all older by
eight years or more, and she has one younger sibling, three years her junior.
According to Adlerian theory, you can assume she will take the role of:
a. The oldest child
b. The youngest child
c. The middle child '
d. Adler did not believe that birth order affected personality
a - Adler believed birth order had a major impact on personality development. When
siblings are more than seven years apart, the child assumes the role of the oldest child.
After your initial session with Nicole, she asks you what you have diagnosed her
with. Because your theoretical orientation is Rogerian, you answer:
a. "Tell me about why that's important to you."
b. "You have ________________________."
c. "That is information for me to have to guide your treatment, but I cannot share
it with you."
d. "I don't like to work with diagnoses, as I see little benefit in doing so."
d - Rogerian counselors discourage diagnosis because using a diagnosis runs counter
to seeing each person as unique. It also puts the counselor in an authoritative/expert
role.
A counselor is setting up group therapy screening appointments. She gathers the
information that she will give the members to help them understand the process
of being part of a therapy group. The best predictor of client success in a therapy
group is:
a. Commitment
b. Dispelled myths about group
, c. What role one takes on
d. Their level of participation
a - Members that commit to change tend to attain positive outcome and therapeutic
benefit from group therapy.
In terms of a process group, pre-screening clients _____________________ group
member satisfaction.
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Has no effect on
a - Yalom noted that pre-group preparation increases member satisfaction with the
overall group experience.
The following is not appropriate content for the pre-group screening discussion?
a. The stages and roles of group
b. Common myths of group therapy
c. The client's needs and expectations
d. None of the above—they are all appropriate for discussion
d - During the screening process, the stages, roles, common myths, expectations,
needs and commitment should be discussion as should confidentiality
Children who experience frequent mood swings, tantrums, periods of anger and
depression were once diagnosed as having bi-polar disorder. Today, the
diagnosis would be:
a. Intermediate Explosive Disorder
b. Autism Spectrum Disorder
c. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
d. Asperger's Syndrome
c - The diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder was created in order to
prevent misdiagnosis and provide better treatment and care for children who do not
necessarily meet the criteria for bi-polar disorder and yet display symptoms of chronic,
severe, and or persistent irritability that manifest itself as frequent temper outburst in
response to the frustration that they are feeling.
A couple is concerned about the behavior of their 5 year old who periodically
throws tantrums and experiences angry outbursts when he is frustrated. This
child does not quite meet the criteria to be diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but a
counselor should withhold making the diagnosis because:
a. The parents have not disclosed whether there is a history of bi-polar disorder
in the family.
b. An improper diagnosis could result in the child being labeled "special
education" in the future.
c. Much of the child's behavior could possibly be considered "normal" if it is
found that the couple lacks parenting skills.
d. All of the above.
d - Children between the ages of 6 and 18 who experience persistent irritability,
tantrums and behaviors more than three times a week for more than a year may be
experiencing Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. The child in this case is 5 years
old and he or she may be considered too young for the diagnosis of DMDD. What has
