Question 1

Brief psychotherapy refers to a category of psychotherapies that brings about changes in patients through&#10;A) Therapist-initiated, focused, emotionally corrective interventions&#10;B) Helping patients to develop an understanding of childhood conflicts&#10;C) Participation of family members in treatment sessions&#10;D) Helping patients to develop insight through self-exploration

Accepted Answer

Brief psychotherapy typically focuses on specific, targeted interventions initiated by the therapist that aim to bring about changes in the patient's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions in a relatively short amount of time (usually between 8-20 sessions). This differs from traditional psychoanalytic approaches that involve longer-term self-exploration and insight development through exploration of childhood conflicts, or family therapy approaches that involve the participation of family members.

Question 2

Among factors believed to be involved in the development of psychopathology, which of the following factors is most amenable to psychotherapy?&#10;A) Temperament&#10;B) Genetic influenced brain development&#10;C) Adverse circumstances of birth&#10;D) Mastery of psychosocial tasks at different ages

Accepted Answer

The mastery of psychosocial tasks at different ages refers to the acquisition of important developmental milestones throughout one's life. Psychotherapy can address any difficulties or delays in achieving these milestones, which may contribute to the development of psychopathology. Temperament, genetic influenced brain development, and adverse circumstances of birth are all factors that are less amenable to psychotherapy interventions.

Question 3

Which of the following criteria would preclude the use of brief dynamic therapy?&#10;A) Adequate ego strengths&#10;B) Psychological problems in multiple domains&#10;C) Use of mature defense mechanisms&#10;D) Adequate ability to process information

Accepted Answer

Brief dynamic therapy is typically used for specific, focused problems rather than broader psychological issues in multiple domains.

Question 4

The core principle of relational therapies that include psychodynamic psychotherapy and interpersonal psychotherapy is that current problems reflect&#10;A) Learned behavioral responses&#10;B) Failure to integrate life experiences&#10;C) Problems with relationships with others&#10;D) Distorted perceptions of ability to cope

Accepted Answer

The core principle of relational therapies is that current problems are a reflection of problems with relationships with others. This can be seen in both psychodynamic psychotherapy, which explores the impact of past experiences on current relationships, and interpersonal psychotherapy, which focuses on current and past relationships as the source of current difficulties. A and D may also play a role in some cases, but they are not the core principle of relational therapies.

Question 5

In supportive therapy, the focus is on&#10;A) Strengthening self-esteem and ego functioning&#10;B) Promoting insight&#10;C) Remediating cognitive functioning&#10;D) Exposure and response prevention

Accepted Answer

In supportive therapy, the focus is on providing emotional support, empathy, and encouragement to the client, which helps in strengthening self-esteem and ego functioning. The therapist tries to build a trusting relationship with the client and provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for the client to express their feelings and thoughts. The therapy aims to improve coping skills, reduce distress, and enhance the client's ability to handle challenges. Unlike other therapies, supportive therapy does not focus on insight or cognitive restructuring.

Question 6

Which of the following statements provides the most appropriate comment about therapists' sharing of personal information with patients?&#10;A) Sharing may be used to enhance trust or show interest.&#10;B) Sharing may be used to show that the therapist has similar difficulties.&#10;C) Sharing may include offering friendship outside of sessions.&#10;D) Sharing may be used to reduce therapists' discomfort with silence in the session.

Accepted Answer

Sharing personal information with patients can be a way to build trust and show that the therapist is interested in the patient as a person. This can help create a stronger therapeutic relationship and improve outcomes for the patient. However, therapists should be careful to only share information that is relevant to the therapeutic process and appropriate to the patient's needs. Sharing personal information for the purpose of friendship outside of sessions, to make the therapist feel more comfortable, or to show that the therapist has similar difficulties could all be detrimental to the therapeutic relationship and should be avoided.

Question 7

The primary purpose of psychotherapy is to facilitate changes by the patient in order to&#10;A) Reduce symptoms of distress&#10;B) Address identified problems&#10;C) Reduce burden on the family&#10;D) Improve vocational functioning

Accepted Answer

The answer of The primary purpose of psychotherapy is to...

Question 8

Psychotherapy is a form of learning that has the potential to do all of the following except&#10;A) Alter gene expression&#10;B) Influence production of neurotransmitters&#10;C) Promote creation of new synaptic connections&#10;D) Eradicate traumatic memories

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy has been shown to have the potential to alter gene expression, influence production of neurotransmitters, and promote the creation of new synaptic connections. However, it typically does not have the ability to eradicate traumatic memories completely. While it can help individuals learn to manage and cope with these memories, they may still be present in some form.

Question 9

Among the following disorders, which one would most likely be amenable to brief dynamic therapy?&#10;A) Bipolar disorder&#10;B) Substance dependence&#10;C) Psychotic disorder&#10;D) Avoidant personality disorder

Accepted Answer

Brief dynamic therapy is most effective for disorders related to difficulties in interpersonal relationships, such as avoidant personality disorder. It may not be as effective for more severe and complex disorders like bipolar disorder, substance dependence, and psychotic disorders.

Question 10

In cognitive therapy, therapists focuses on patients'&#10;A) Use of immature defense mechanisms&#10;B) Learned behavior of helplessness&#10;C) Automatic negative thoughts&#10;D) Attachment patterns

Accepted Answer

In cognitive therapy, therapists focus on patients' automatic negative thoughts, identifying and challenging cognitive distortions to alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Deck 7: Psychotherapies