CBHT - Certified Behavioral Health Technician Therapeutic Communication Skills Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client states, "I'm just so overwhelmed. My new job is stressful, and I feel like I'm failing at it." Which of the following responses by the CBHT best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of reflection?
- "You should try making a to-do list to manage your tasks better."
- "It sounds like you're feeling a lot of pressure and are worried about your performance at work." (Correct answer)
- "Don't worry, everyone feels that way when they start a new job. You'll be fine."
- "Why do you think you are failing?"
Correct answer: "It sounds like you're feeling a lot of pressure and are worried about your performance at work."
Reflection involves paraphrasing and restating both the feelings and content of a client's message to show understanding. [12, 27] This response accurately mirrors the client's expressed emotions (overwhelmed, worried) and situation (job pressure), which validates their experience and encourages further exploration. [27]
Question 2: Which of the following is the primary reason for using open-ended questions in a therapeutic setting?
- To gather specific, factual information quickly.
- To guide the client toward a specific conclusion.
- To encourage the client to provide detailed, narrative responses and explore their thoughts and feelings. [7, 14, 19] (Correct answer)
- To limit the conversation to simple 'yes' or 'no' answers.
Correct answer: To encourage the client to provide detailed, narrative responses and explore their thoughts and feelings. [7, 14, 19]
Open-ended questions, often beginning with 'what' or 'how', are designed to prompt clients to share more than a one-word answer. [9, 19] This technique facilitates deeper self-exploration and allows the client to direct the conversation, providing richer, more meaningful information. [7, 14]
Question 3: A CBHT is speaking with a client who is expressing anxiety about an upcoming family visit. Which statement by the CBHT would be considered a barrier to therapeutic communication?
- "That sounds stressful. What are your specific concerns about the visit?"
- "There's no reason to be anxious. I'm sure it will be wonderful." (Correct answer)
- "It's understandable to feel anxious when seeing family after a while."
- "I'm here to listen if you'd like to talk more about how you're feeling."
Correct answer: "There's no reason to be anxious. I'm sure it will be wonderful."
This statement is an example of providing false reassurance. It dismisses the client's legitimate feelings and can shut down further communication by minimizing their concerns instead of helping them explore and cope with their anxiety.
Question 4: A client tells a CBHT, "I'm just not myself lately." Which of the following responses best uses the therapeutic technique of clarification?
- "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon."
- "Let's focus on the positive things from your week instead."
- "I understand what you mean, I've felt that way too."
- "Could you tell me more about what 'not being yourself' feels like for you?" (Correct answer)
Correct answer: "Could you tell me more about what 'not being yourself' feels like for you?"
Clarification is a technique used to ensure the CBHT accurately understands a client's message, especially when it is vague. [1, 2, 10, 11] Asking for a more detailed description of what 'not myself' means helps prevent misunderstanding and encourages the client to elaborate on their experience.
Question 5: A client has just finished sharing a very painful memory and has become quiet and tearful. What is the most therapeutically appropriate initial action for the CBHT?
- Immediately ask a question to keep the conversation going.
- Allow for a period of silence to give the client space to process. (Correct answer)
- Share a personal story to try and relate to the client's pain.
- Suggest a more cheerful activity to change the client's mood.
Correct answer: Allow for a period of silence to give the client space to process.
Therapeutic silence can be a powerful tool that gives the client time and space to process difficult emotions and thoughts. [4, 8, 21] By sitting patiently and attentively, the CBHT communicates presence and support without rushing the client's emotional experience.
Question 6: Which statement best describes the difference between an empathetic and a sympathetic response?
- Empathy is feeling sorry for the client, while sympathy is understanding their feelings.
- Empathy and sympathy are identical and can be used interchangeably.
- Empathy involves understanding and sharing another's feelings ('feeling with' them), while sympathy is a feeling of pity or sorrow for them ('feeling for' them). (Correct answer)
- Empathy requires sharing a similar personal experience, while sympathy does not.
Correct answer: Empathy involves understanding and sharing another's feelings ('feeling with' them), while sympathy is a feeling of pity or sorrow for them ('feeling for' them).
Empathy is a core therapeutic skill that involves the ability to understand another person's reality and communicate that understanding. [16, 18, 23] It creates connection. Sympathy, while well-intentioned, often creates distance and can involve feelings of pity, which is less therapeutic. [25]
CBHT - Certified Behavioral Health Technician Therapeutic Communication Skills Questions and Answers 1
A client states, "I'm just so overwhelmed.
My new job is stressful, and I feel like I'm failing at it." Which of the following responses by the CBHT best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of reflection?