CBC Behavioral Counseling Techniques Questions and Answers

Question 1

A pre-operative patient states, "I know I need to exercise, but after work, I have no energy and just can't get motivated." According to a Motivational Interviewing (MI) framework, which response is MOST effective for exploring this ambivalence?

Accepted Answer

"On one hand, you feel completely drained after work, which makes exercising seem impossible, and on the other hand, you recognize it's a key part of your health goals."

Answer

"You have to make exercise a priority; it's non-negotiable for long-term success after surgery."

Answer

"Let's create a strict schedule for you to follow. You will exercise for 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6 PM."

Answer

"Why do you think you're so unmotivated? Many people feel tired after work but still manage to find the willpower."

Question 2

A bariatric counselor is teaching a patient skills to handle sudden, intense cravings and moments of emotional crisis without turning to food. Which module of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is specifically designed to help patients 'survive' these moments without engaging in problematic behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Distress Tolerance

Answer

Mindfulness

Answer

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Answer

Emotion Regulation

Question 3

A patient reports that they consistently graze on high-calorie snacks while watching television in the evening, even when not hungry. Which of the following represents the most direct application of a stimulus control technique to address this specific issue?

Accepted Answer

Keeping snack foods stored out of sight and designating the kitchen table as the only place for eating.

Answer

Exploring the childhood origins of associating television with comfort.

Answer

Practicing mindfulness to become more aware of the guilt associated with this behavior.

Answer

Setting a reward for every evening the patient successfully avoids snacking in front of the television.

Question 4

A post-operative patient reports a significant dietary 'slip-up' at a holiday meal, feels intense guilt, and states, "I've completely failed, I knew I couldn't do this." Within a relapse prevention framework, what is the counselor's most crucial initial step?

Accepted Answer

Normalizing the event as a 'lapse' and using it as a learning opportunity to identify triggers and plan for future high-risk situations.

Answer

Recommending the patient avoid all holiday meals for the next year.

Answer

Instructing the patient to compensate by severely restricting calories for the next two days.

Answer

Immediately referring the patient for a surgical follow-up to check for pouch stretching.

Question 5

In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), 'cognitive defusion' is a core process used to help patients manage difficult thoughts, such as negative body image. The primary goal of cognitive defusion is to:

Accepted Answer

Change the relationship with a thought by observing it as a transient mental event rather than an absolute truth.

Answer

Challenge the validity of a negative thought and replace it with a more positive one.

Answer

Analyze the historical root of the thought to understand its origin.

Answer

Suppress the negative thought until it no longer occurs.

Question 6

A counselor asks a pre-operative bariatric patient to start a detailed food and mood journal. The patient resists, saying, "I already know I eat junk food. What's the point?" What is the most effective rationale for the counselor to provide about the purpose of self-monitoring?

Accepted Answer

"It helps us identify your specific patterns and triggers—like eating due to stress versus hunger—which is the first step to developing new coping skills."

Answer

"The surgical team requires these logs as proof that you are compliant and ready for the procedure."

Answer

"This is mainly to get an accurate calorie count so we can create a strict post-operative diet for you."

Answer

"Seeing it all on paper will help you feel accountable and motivate you through guilt to make changes."