Psychotherapy and Related
Therapies Exam Questions
with Complete Solutions
The following scenario is an example of the defense mechanism sublimation:
- A mother of a child killed in a drive-by shooting becomes involved in legislative change for gun laws
and violence.
- A host despises one of the party guests yet greets him warmly and offers him food, beverages, and
special attention.
- An employee is embarrassed by a boss at work and angrily cuts a driver off on the way home.
- A group therapy member strongly dislikes another member but claims that it is the member who
dislikes her. - Correct Answers: - A mother of a child killed in a drive-by shooting becomes involved in
legislative change for gun laws and violence.
Rationale: Sublimation is redirecting unacceptable feelings into an acceptable channel.
- A mother of a child killed in a drive-by shooting becomes involved in legislative change for gun laws
and violence. (sublimation)
- A host despises one of the party guests yet greets him warmly and offers him food, beverages, and
special attention. (reaction formation)
- An employee is embarrassed by a boss at work and angrily cuts a driver off on the way home.
(displacement)
- A group therapy member strongly dislikes another member but claims that it is the member who
dislikes her. (projection)
Johnny, an 8-year-old male, presents with his foster mother for an initial evaluation. When interviewing
the foster mother alone, it is confirmed that Johnny was taken out of his home due to sexual abuse by
his stepfather.
As the treating PMHNP, you know which of the following are evidence-based treatments for Johnny:
, - Interpersonal therapy
- Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Behavioral therapy - Correct Answers: - Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
Rationale: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is the minimum standard of therapy for a child
with a history of trauma.
Psychotherapy which stresses the importance of recognizing patterns of thoughts and how thought
influences feelings and behaviors best describes:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Supportive therapy
- Group therapy - Correct Answers: - Cognitive behavioral therapy
Rationale: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) posits that by learning how thoughts and behaviors
influence our feelings, we can learn to have more control over our feelings.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often one of the first-line treatments for anorexia nervosa. One of
the primary goals of CBT is to assist the patient in which of the following ways?
- Overcome distorted thinking
- Resolve symptoms of depression
- Restore weight above 85% of normal
- Improve interpersonal relationships - Correct Answers: - Overcome distorted thinking
Rationale: CBT teaches patients to identify, evaluate, and respond to their dysfunctional thoughts and
beliefs.