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

CBT is based on the model that automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions (negative appraisals of self, world, and future) maintain psychological distress, and therapy targets these cognitions.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Patients with borderline personality disorder

Answer

DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan specifically for individuals with borderline personality disorder, particularly those with chronic suicidality and self-harm.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summarising

Answer

OARS represents the core communication skills in MI: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summarising, used to elicit change talk.

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

EMDR has strong evidence from multiple RCTs for PTSD and is recommended by NICE as a first-line treatment alongside trauma-focused CBT.

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

Instillation of hope is one of Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors and involves group members gaining hope by witnessing the progress and recovery of others in the group.

(MRCPsych) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Practice Test

(MRCPsych) Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Practice Test

MRCPsych Psychological Treatments and Psychotherapy