First Things First
A client says, “Sometimes I wish I wouldn't wake up.” What should the clinician do first?
What is conduct a direct suicide risk assessment?
Which theorist is associated with unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence?
Who is Carl Rogers?
A current client sends a social media friend request despite a policy against online relationships. What is the appropriate response?
What is maintain the professional boundary and address the request in accordance with policy and clinical judgment?
Which commonly used screening instrument assesses depressive symptom severity using nine items?
What is the PHQ-9?
In operant conditioning, a behavior increases because a desirable stimulus is added afterward. What is this called?
What is positive reinforcement?
A client arrives visibly intoxicated for therapy. What should the clinician prioritize before routine therapeutic work?
What is assess immediate safety, impairment, and ability to participate safely?
A therapist helps a client identify automatic thoughts and examine evidence for and against them. Which approach is being used?
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), associated with Aaron Beck?
An employer calls asking whether a person attends therapy. No authorization or legal exception applies. What should the clinician do?
What is protect confidentiality and not confirm or disclose treatment information?
A client is ambivalent about reducing alcohol use. Which approach emphasizes collaboration and eliciting the client's own reasons for change?
What is Motivational Interviewing?
A client avoids crowded stores because leaving immediately reduces anxiety. What learning principle may maintain this avoidance?
What is negative reinforcement?
A child discloses possible abuse during a session. What is the clinician's priority?
What is ensure immediate safety and follow applicable mandatory-reporting requirements?
A child repeats aggressive behavior after watching an older sibling receive attention for it. Which theory explains this learning process?
What is Bandura's Social Learning Theory?
A therapist discovers an error in yesterday's progress note. How should it be corrected?
What is follow agency and legal procedures for a transparent, dated correction or addendum while preserving the original record?
A client with OCD avoids feared situations and performs rituals to reduce anxiety. Which evidence-based intervention involves exposure to triggers while resisting compulsions?
What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?
A client believes one mistake proves they are a complete failure. What cognitive distortion is illustrated?
What is overgeneralization?
A client reports suicidal intent, a specific plan, and immediate access to the intended means. What takes priority over routine treatment goals?
What is immediate safety intervention and determining the appropriate emergency or higher level of care?
A family therapist examines boundaries, subsystems, and parental hierarchy to change family interactions. Which approach is this?
What is Structural Family Therapy, associated with Salvador Minuchin?
A clinician is asked to treat a condition outside their competence. What is the appropriate action?
What is seek training, supervision, or consultation and arrange a referral if competent care cannot be provided?
Which treatment teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness?
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
A client has a pervasive pattern of disregard for others' rights, repeated unlawful behavior, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and lack of remorse. What diagnosis should be investigated, including the required developmental history?
What is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
A client reports a recent suicide attempt, denies current intent, and wants to leave the appointment. What should the clinician do?
What is reassess current risk, address immediate safety, and determine an appropriate disposition before routine departure?
A therapist explores emotional reactivity, relationship triangles, and the ability to maintain a sense of self under pressure. Which theory guides this work?
What is Bowen Family Systems Theory, particularly differentiation of self and triangulation?
A 15-year-old client discloses substance use and asks the therapist not to tell their parents. What should the therapist do?
What is review confidentiality limits, applicable minor-consent and disclosure laws, safety concerns, and informed-consent agreements before deciding what may or must be disclosed?
A client has trauma symptoms alongside active suicidal risk, severe instability, and substance-related impairment. What should guide the timing of trauma-focused treatment?
What is an individualized assessment of safety, stabilization needs, readiness, and level of care?
A therapist has two plausible interventions in mind but has insufficient information to determine which is appropriate. What is generally the best next step?
What is gather the missing assessment information before selecting an intervention, unless an immediate safety issue requires action?