CBT Anxiety Disorders & CBT Protocols 3

Question 1

The 'fear hierarchy' (SUDS ladder) used in systematic desensitization and exposure therapy is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Rank feared situations from least to most anxiety-provoking for graduated exposure

Answer

A fear hierarchy orders feared stimuli by distress level (0–100 SUDS), guiding graduated exposure from least to most threatening.

Question 2

Which CBT technique for GAD directly targets the 'intolerance of uncertainty' maintaining excessive worry?

Accepted Answer

Uncertainty exposure and behavioral experiments with ambiguous outcomes

Answer

Intolerance of uncertainty exposure involves deliberately engaging with ambiguous situations without seeking reassurance, directly targeting the core mechanism of GAD.

Question 3

In CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder, 'safety behaviors' are targeted because they:

Accepted Answer

Prevent disconfirmation of feared social catastrophes and maintain anxiety

Answer

Safety behaviors (e.g., avoiding eye contact, rehearsing speech) prevent the client from learning that feared outcomes are unlikely, thereby maintaining social anxiety.

Question 4

A client with Specific Phobia of blood-injection-injury (BII) type requires a modified exposure protocol because:

Accepted Answer

These clients typically have a diphasic response (initial rise then drop in blood pressure/heart rate) requiring applied tension

Answer

BII phobias involve a unique vasovagal fainting response, so applied tension technique is added to exposure to prevent syncope.

Question 5

The 'worry postponement' technique used in GAD treatment involves:

Accepted Answer

Scheduling a specific daily period for worry and deferring worry thoughts to that time

Answer

Worry postponement (scheduled worry time) reduces pervasive worry by containing it to a designated 20–30 minute window, breaking the habitual worry pattern.

(CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certification Practice Test

(CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certification Practice Test

CBT Anxiety Disorders & CBT Protocols 3