CT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is 'postvention' in the context of suicide? → Supportive interventions for those affected by a suicide death
2. What is the primary purpose of a 'legacy project' in end-of-life care? → To create meaningful artifacts or recordings that preserve the person's story and values
3. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CT professional when a conflict of interest arises during children & adolescent loss activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
4. What is the goal of using active listening in counseling? → To understand and validate the client's feelings
5. Which type of grief involves mourning that begins before an anticipated death? → Anticipatory grief
6. Janoff-Bulman's 'assumptive world' theory holds that traumatic loss can shatter which core beliefs? → Beliefs about the world being benevolent, meaningful, and the self being worthy
7. What is the term for the court-supervised legal process for validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate? → Probate
8. The 'stigma of suicide' in bereavement refers to: → Social shame and judgment experienced by those bereaved by suicide
9. Therese Rando's 'R' processes of mourning begin with which foundational task? → Recognize the loss
10. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CT professional when a conflict of interest arises during bereavement group facilitation activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
11. Which approach best describes 'meaning-centered grief therapy'? → Assisting clients in finding sources of meaning, purpose, and legacy after loss
12. Which of the following is a PRIMARY symptom of compassion fatigue in grief professionals? → Emotional numbness, detachment, and reduced capacity for empathy
13. The Dual Process Model categorizes stressors into loss-orientation and: → Restoration-orientation
14. The concept of 'posttraumatic growth' in the context of bereavement refers to: → Positive psychological change resulting from the struggle with loss
15. Which quality assurance method is most commonly applied in bereavement group facilitation to verify that CT professional standards are being met? → Structured audits, peer reviews, and performance metrics aligned with industry benchmarks
16. What is the significance of informed consent in end-of-life care? → It ensures the patient understands and agrees to care decisions
17. Which quality assurance method is most commonly applied in bioethics & end-of-life decisions to verify that CT professional standards are being met? → Structured audits, peer reviews, and performance metrics aligned with industry benchmarks
18. What is the primary goal of end-of-life care? → To provide comfort and alleviate pain
19. Which intervention approach is recommended for individuals experiencing both PTSD and complicated grief following traumatic loss? → An integrated approach addressing both trauma and grief components simultaneously
20. The 'trajectory of grief' concept proposed by Bonanno identifies which four distinct patterns? → Resilience, recovery, chronic grief, delayed grief
21. Which assessment tool is commonly used to measure compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in helping professionals? → ProQOL (Professional Quality of Life Scale)
22. In attachment theory, Bowlby described which phase as involving disorganization and despair following bereavement? → Phase 3: Disorganization and despair
23. What is 'biographical disruption' in the context of serious illness and death? → The interruption of one's life narrative and identity caused by illness or loss
24. The 'continuing bonds' theory, developed by Klass, Silverman, and Nickman, challenged which earlier grief assumption? → The goal of mourning is to sever ties with the deceased
25. A CT professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing death anxiety & psychology duties. What is the most appropriate first action? → Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding
26. How can counselors support clients who feel guilt during grief? → By helping clients process guilt and work toward self-forgiveness
27. What is the primary focus of grief counseling? → Providing emotional support and facilitating coping with loss
28. According to Worden's task model of mourning, which task involves adjusting to a world without the deceased? → Task III: Adjusting to an environment in which the deceased is missing
29. In cases of unexpected, violent, or suspicious death, jurisdiction over the body typically passes to the: → Medical examiner or coroner
30. When a person dies without a valid will, they are said to have died in which legal state? → Intestate