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. 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
6. What is the term for the court-supervised legal process for validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate? → Probate
7. The 'stigma of suicide' in bereavement refers to: → Social shame and judgment experienced by those bereaved by suicide
8. In Jewish tradition, 'Shiva' is best described as: → A seven-day intensive mourning period observed at home with community support
9. 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
10. Which approach best describes 'meaning-centered grief therapy'? → Assisting clients in finding sources of meaning, purpose, and legacy after loss
11. Which of the following is a PRIMARY symptom of compassion fatigue in grief professionals? → Emotional numbness, detachment, and reduced capacity for empathy
12. 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
13. What is the significance of informed consent in end-of-life care? → It ensures the patient understands and agrees to care decisions
14. 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
15. What is the primary goal of end-of-life care? → To provide comfort and alleviate pain
16. 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
17. Which assessment tool is commonly used to measure compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in helping professionals? → ProQOL (Professional Quality of Life Scale)
18. 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
19. 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
20. How can counselors support clients who feel guilt during grief? → By helping clients process guilt and work toward self-forgiveness
21. What is the primary focus of grief counseling? → Providing emotional support and facilitating coping with loss
22. 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
23. In cases of unexpected, violent, or suspicious death, jurisdiction over the body typically passes to the: → Medical examiner or coroner
24. When a person dies without a valid will, they are said to have died in which legal state? → Intestate
25. Which religious and philosophical tradition most emphasizes ancestor veneration as a central component of the grief process? → Confucianism and many East Asian traditions
26. Team debriefing after a traumatic client death serves what primary purpose? → Processing emotional reactions and normalizing responses among team members
27. What does 'meaning reconstruction' refer to in the context of grief? → The process of revising one's assumptive world and identity following loss
28. In the context of spiritual care for bereaved individuals, a 'theophany' refers to: → A direct manifestation or experience of the divine
29. Which federal law requires healthcare providers to inform patients of their right to create advance directives? → Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
30. Which quality assurance method is most commonly applied in cross-cultural death rituals to verify that CT professional standards are being met? → Structured audits, peer reviews, and performance metrics aligned with industry benchmarks