LPCC Clinical Procedures and Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor is using motivational interviewing (MI). Which technique best reflects the 'rolling with resistance' principle?
- Confronting the client directly about denial
- Arguing for the benefits of change
- Reflecting the client's ambivalence without judgment (Correct answer)
- Providing psychoeducation until resistance decreases
Correct answer: Reflecting the client's ambivalence without judgment
Rolling with resistance means reflecting the client's ambivalence non-confrontationally rather than pushing for change.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a safety plan in clinical practice?
- To document that the counselor has fulfilled legal obligations only
- To provide the client with personalized coping strategies and crisis resources for high-risk moments (Correct answer)
- To replace hospitalization in all suicidal presentations
- To serve as a behavioral contract that the client must sign
Correct answer: To provide the client with personalized coping strategies and crisis resources for high-risk moments
A safety plan equips the client with individualized warning signs, coping steps, support contacts, and crisis resources for use during suicidal crises.
Question 3: In CBT protocol, what is the primary purpose of a thought record?
- To document session attendance
- To help clients identify and challenge automatic negative thoughts (Correct answer)
- To assign homework without clinical rationale
- To replace the diagnostic interview
Correct answer: To help clients identify and challenge automatic negative thoughts
Thought records help clients recognize automatic thoughts, evaluate their accuracy, and develop balanced alternative perspectives.
Question 4: A client with PTSD is beginning Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. Which component is introduced first in standard PE protocol?
- In vivo exposure to avoided situations
- Imaginal exposure to the trauma memory
- Psychoeducation about PTSD and treatment rationale (Correct answer)
- EMDR bilateral stimulation
Correct answer: Psychoeducation about PTSD and treatment rationale
PE begins with psychoeducation about PTSD symptoms and a clear treatment rationale before any exposure exercises are introduced.
Question 5: Which standard is used to evaluate whether a counselor's conduct meets professional expectations in a malpractice claim?
- The counselor's personal ethical code
- The standard of care established by what a reasonable, similarly trained professional would do (Correct answer)
- The client's subjective satisfaction with treatment
- The number of continuing education hours completed
Correct answer: The standard of care established by what a reasonable, similarly trained professional would do
Malpractice is determined by whether the counselor's actions deviated from what a reasonably competent professional in the same field would have done.
Question 6: A counselor is conducting a structured suicide risk assessment. Which validated tool is specifically designed for this purpose?
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (Correct answer)
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-3)
- General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)
Correct answer: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
The C-SSRS is a validated, widely used instrument that assesses suicidal ideation and behavior across multiple dimensions of severity.
Question 7: Which documentation practice best supports continuity of care when a client transfers to another provider?
- Shredding records once the client ends treatment
- Providing a comprehensive clinical summary with diagnosis, treatment history, and current functioning (Correct answer)
- Sending only billing records to the new provider
- Noting only the date of last session
Correct answer: Providing a comprehensive clinical summary with diagnosis, treatment history, and current functioning
A thorough clinical summary ensures the receiving provider has the context needed to continue effective, informed care.
LPCC Clinical Procedures and Protocols 3
A counselor is using motivational interviewing (MI).
Which technique best reflects the 'rolling with resistance' principle?