LPC Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. The ABC-X Model of family crisis, developed by Hill, identifies which of the following as the 'X' factor? → The resulting crisis
2. Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD involves which two core components? → In vivo exposure to avoided situations and imaginal exposure to the trauma memory
3. When a counselor writes progress notes using the SOAP format, the 'A' section documents: → The counselor's assessment of the client's progress toward treatment goals
4. A client in crisis states, 'I have a plan, I have a gun at home, and I intend to use it tonight.' The counselor's immediate intervention should include: → Activating an emergency safety plan and initiating a 911 call or psychiatric hold
5. Which of the following best describes the use of 'behavioral experiments' in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? → Structured activities designed to test the accuracy of a client's beliefs or predictions
6. Which of the following best describes the ethical concept of fidelity in counseling? → Being faithful and keeping commitments and promises
7. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, was originally designed for the treatment of: → Borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidality
8. In therapy, as the connection develops over time, there will be a movement toward: → From external to internal ideas
9. The term 'working alliance' in counseling refers to: → The collaborative bond, goals, and tasks shared by client and counselor
10. Which of the following is an example of a projective assessment technique? → Rorschach Inkblot Test
11. A trauma survivor reports feeling as though they are watching themselves from outside their body during sessions. This experience is most consistent with: → Depersonalization
12. Which DSM-5 diagnostic principle requires that a disorder not be better explained by another medical condition or substance use? → Hierarchical exclusion rule
13. The biopsychosocial model of substance use disorders proposes that addiction results from: → The interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors
14. Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is specifically designed for use with which population? → Children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, and their caregivers
15. Which of the following is considered a 'negative' symptom of schizophrenia? → Avolition
16. Virginia Satir's communication theory identifies which mode as reflecting self-blame and self-deprecation under stress? → Placating
17. The miracle question in solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is used to: → Help the client describe and move toward a future in which the problem is solved
18. Which of the following is an example of a predisposing factor in a case conceptualization? → A childhood history of emotional neglect that established vulnerability to depression
19. Which of the following is generally considered outside the scope of practice for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)? → Prescribing psychotropic medications.
20. Counselors' comments were classed by Robert Carkhuff as all EXCEPT which of the following? → Multiplicative
21. DSM-5 consolidates what were previously separate categories of substance abuse and substance dependence into a single diagnosis called: → Substance use disorder with severity specifiers
22. Counselor awareness of their own assumptions, values, and biases is part of which dimension of multicultural counseling competence? → Awareness
23. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy uses bilateral stimulation to facilitate which process? → Adaptive processing of traumatic memories that had become 'stuck' in the nervous system
24. Which of the following describes a strength-based approach to working with LGBTQ+ clients? → Focusing on the client's resilience, community supports, and positive identity development
25. Debriefing models like Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) are primarily designed for use with: → Emergency responders and groups exposed to occupational trauma
26. Appreciating the _____ of individuals with different cultural backgrounds is a sign of multicultural knowledge. → All of the answers are correct
27. The Gottman Sound Relationship House theory identifies 'trust and commitment' as which level of the house? → The top floor
28. The concept of 'psychological triage' in disaster mental health refers to: → Prioritizing survivors based on the severity and immediacy of their psychological needs
29. Which consultation model emphasizes addressing organizational systems and uses data to resolve systemic problems rather than individual client issues? → Organizational consultation
30. Which of the following concepts, developed by Carl Rogers, is NOT considered one of the 'core conditions' for facilitating growth in the helping relationship? → Transference