MRCPsych Psychological Treatments and Psychotherapy 3

Question 1

Which psychological therapy has the strongest evidence base for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Accepted Answer

CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Answer

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Answer

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Answer

Interpersonal Therapy

Question 2

In attachment theory, a caregiver who is inconsistently available and responsive is most likely to produce which attachment style in the child?

Accepted Answer

Anxious-ambivalent (resistant) attachment

Answer

Secure attachment

Answer

Avoidant attachment

Answer

Disorganised attachment

Question 3

Which of the following is a contraindication for exploratory (uncovering) psychodynamic psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Current active psychosis

Answer

Neurotic-level personality organisation

Answer

History of trauma without current symptoms

Answer

Mild to moderate depression with insight

Question 4

Positive risk in therapeutic relationships refers to:

Accepted Answer

Calculated, evidence-based decisions to accept some risk to promote therapeutic progress and patient autonomy

Answer

Ignoring all risk factors to build therapeutic rapport

Answer

Only applying therapies with zero risk of adverse events

Answer

Disclosing patient information to minimise legal risk

Question 5

Which best describes 'projective identification' as used in object relations theory?

Accepted Answer

The therapist identifies with the patient's projected feelings and may act them out

Answer

The patient identifies the therapist with a past object

Answer

Attributing one's own feelings to another without influencing them

Answer

A defence mechanism where feelings are denied and attributed to others without impact on them

Question 6

The Dodo Bird Verdict in psychotherapy research refers to:

Accepted Answer

The conclusion that all bona fide psychotherapies produce broadly equivalent outcomes

Answer

The finding that CBT is superior to all other therapies

Answer

The idea that therapy is no better than placebo

Answer

The principle that medication always outperforms psychotherapy

Question 7

Which psychological intervention is specifically recommended for treating bulimia nervosa as a first-line treatment?

Accepted Answer

CBT-ED (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders)

Answer

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Answer

Interpersonal Therapy as monotherapy

Answer

Psychodynamic psychotherapy