PMH-C Therapeutic Approaches 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which therapy specifically targets the mother-infant relationship by focusing on the therapist-mother-infant triad during sessions?
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) (Correct answer)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Correct answer: Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) focuses on the relationship between caregiver and child, using the therapeutic triad to address trauma and promote attachment.
Question 2: A new mother with perinatal OCD is distressed by intrusive thoughts of harming her baby. What is the first-line behavioral intervention?
- Avoidance of all baby-care tasks until thoughts resolve
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) (Correct answer)
- Prolonged Exposure therapy
- EMDR targeting the intrusive images
Correct answer: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard behavioral treatment for OCD, including perinatal OCD with ego-dystonic intrusive thoughts.
Question 3: Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for perinatal depression addresses which of the following problem areas?
- Cognitive distortions, schemas, and core beliefs
- Role transitions, grief, and interpersonal disputes (Correct answer)
- Trauma processing, dissociation, and affect regulation
- Attachment styles, object relations, and transference
Correct answer: Role transitions, grief, and interpersonal disputes
IPT focuses on four problem areas: grief, role transitions, role disputes, and interpersonal deficits, with role transition being particularly relevant postpartum.
Question 4: In the context of perinatal mental health, what does 'watchful waiting' typically involve?
- Immediate pharmacological treatment while monitoring for side effects
- Active monitoring of mild symptoms with scheduled follow-up and psychoeducation (Correct answer)
- Inpatient observation without therapeutic intervention
- Deferring all treatment until the postpartum period ends at 12 months
Correct answer: Active monitoring of mild symptoms with scheduled follow-up and psychoeducation
Watchful waiting involves close monitoring of mild symptoms, patient education, and scheduled follow-up appointments before initiating formal treatment.
Question 5: Which therapeutic modality uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic perinatal memories, such as a traumatic birth experience?
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (Correct answer)
- Somatic Experiencing
- Motivational Interviewing
Correct answer: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) to help clients reprocess traumatic memories, including birth trauma.
Question 6: A perinatal therapist is using Motivational Interviewing with a pregnant client ambivalent about stopping alcohol use. Which technique best reflects MI principles?
- Confronting the client directly about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy
- Exploring the client's own reasons for change using open-ended questions and reflective listening (Correct answer)
- Providing a detailed list of fetal alcohol syndrome statistics
- Setting firm boundaries about continuing therapy if drinking persists
Correct answer: Exploring the client's own reasons for change using open-ended questions and reflective listening
Motivational Interviewing uses open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries to elicit the client's own motivation for change.
Question 7: Which group therapy format has been shown to reduce perinatal depression by combining psychoeducation, skill-building, and peer support?
- Psychodynamic group therapy focusing on unconscious conflicts
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) adapted for postpartum women (Correct answer)
- Aversion therapy groups for negative parenting behaviors
- Hypnotherapy group sessions for birth anxiety
Correct answer: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) adapted for postpartum women
MBCT adapted for postpartum women integrates mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy skills and has demonstrated efficacy in reducing perinatal depression.
PMH-C Therapeutic Approaches 2
Which therapy specifically targets the mother-infant relationship by focusing on the therapist-mother-infant triad during sessions?