PTSD Treatment Planning & Protocols 2

Question 1

Which phase of Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy involves the therapist and client constructing a hierarchy of avoided situations?

Accepted Answer

In vivo exposure planning phase

Answer

The in vivo exposure planning phase involves collaboratively building a hierarchy of avoided situations ranked by subjective units of distress (SUDS).

Question 2

When a PTSD client has comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder, which treatment sequencing approach is most commonly recommended?

Accepted Answer

Stabilize emotion dysregulation skills before trauma processing

Answer

Clients with BPD typically benefit from building emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills (e.g., DBT) before engaging in intensive trauma processing.

Question 3

A treatment plan goal states: 'Client will report PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) score reduction of 10+ points within 12 sessions.' This goal is best described as:

Accepted Answer

SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound

Answer

This goal meets all SMART criteria: it specifies the measure (PCL-5), the threshold (10 points), and the timeframe (12 sessions).

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the role of cognitive restructuring within Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and challenging stuck points — distorted beliefs about the trauma

Answer

CPT targets 'stuck points' — maladaptive cognitions about safety, trust, power, esteem, and intimacy — through Socratic questioning and thought records.

Question 5

A clinician notices that a veteran client avoids all homework between sessions. The most appropriate treatment planning response is to:

Accepted Answer

Collaboratively explore barriers and modify assignments to increase engagement

Answer

Collaboratively identifying and addressing homework barriers maintains the therapeutic alliance and improves treatment engagement without abandoning the evidence-based protocol.

(PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Certification Practice Test

(PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Certification Practice Test

PTSD Treatment Planning & Protocols 2