MRCPsych Psychological Treatments and Psychotherapy

Question 1

Which component is central to the cognitive model underpinning Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Accepted Answer

The role of automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions in maintaining distress

Answer

Unconscious conflict resolution

Answer

Exploration of early attachment relationships

Answer

Acceptance of symptoms without change

Question 2

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was originally developed for which patient population?

Accepted Answer

Patients with borderline personality disorder

Answer

Patients with schizophrenia

Answer

Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer

Patients with treatment-resistant depression

Question 3

In Motivational Interviewing (MI), what does the acronym OARS stand for?

Accepted Answer

Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summarising

Answer

Observation, Assessment, Reflection, Strategy

Answer

Outcomes, Ambivalence, Resistance, Stages

Answer

Objectives, Actions, Review, Support

Question 4

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) has the strongest evidence base for treating which condition?

Accepted Answer

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Bipolar disorder

Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Question 5

Which of Yalom's therapeutic factors in group therapy refers to the sense of hope gained by observing others' recovery?

Accepted Answer

Instillation of hope

Answer

Universality

Answer

Altruism

Answer

Cohesiveness

Question 6

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for depression focuses primarily on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Improving interpersonal functioning and addressing grief, role disputes, transitions, and deficits

Answer

Challenging cognitive distortions about worthlessness

Answer

Resolving unconscious conflicts from childhood

Answer

Building distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills

Question 7

In systemic family therapy, the technique of 'circular questioning' is used to:

Accepted Answer

Explore how family members perceive each other's relationships and behaviours

Answer

Repeat the same question until the patient answers correctly

Answer

Confront defensive responses in a circular pattern

Answer

Ask questions in a predetermined order around the room