NCE Domain 3: Areas of Clinical Focus Welcome to your NCE Domain 3: Areas of Clinical Focus 1. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In psychodynamic therapy, the term "transference" refers to which of the following phenomena? A. The therapist's unconscious feelings toward the client B. The client's transfer of past feelings, conflicts, and attitudes into the therapeutic relationship C. The mutual sharing of personal information between therapist and client to build rapport D. The process of transferring psychological distress into physical symptoms None 2. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the technique of "cognitive restructuring" is primarily aimed at: A. Enhancing the client's social skills through role-playing B. Identifying and changing irrational or maladaptive thoughts C. Increasing the client's awareness of unconscious processes D. Reducing symptoms by changing behavioral responses to triggers None 3. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus When assessing for attachment disorders in children, a clinician is most likely to observe difficulties in which of the following areas? A. Logical-mathematical intelligence B. Physical coordination and fine motor skills C. Social relationships and emotional bonding D. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills None 4. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The therapeutic technique of "motivational interviewing" is particularly effective in treating clients struggling with: A. Phobias B. Substance abuse C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder D. Post-traumatic stress disorder None 5. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In treating clients with borderline personality disorder 'BPD', dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching skills in all of the following areas EXCEPT: A. Interpersonal effectiveness B. Distress tolerance C. Financial management D. Emotional regulation None 6. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The concept of "double bind" communication is most closely associated with the development of which of the following conditions? A. Schizophrenia B. Bipolar disorder C. Generalized anxiety disorder D. Major depressive disorder None 7. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In the treatment of anorexia nervosa, which of the following therapeutic interventions is considered MOST crucial in the initial phase? A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy B. Nutritional rehabilitation C. Family therapy D. Psychodynamic therapy None 8. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The use of "systematic desensitization" is most effective for clients dealing with: A. Substance abuse issues B. Personality disorders C. Specific phobias D. Relationship conflicts None 9. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus Which of the following is NOT a common feature of "narcissistic personality disorder" according to the DSM-5? A. A need for excessive admiration B. A pattern of unstable relationships C. A sense of entitlement D. Envy of others or belief that others are envious of them None 10. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In the context of trauma-informed care, "safety" primarily refers to: A. Physical safety in the therapeutic environment B. Emotional and psychological safety within the therapeutic relationship C. The client's legal protection against discrimination and harm D. Both A and B None 11. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The concept of "secondary gain" in psychological disorders refers to: A. The primary symptoms that prompt an individual to seek treatment B. Unconscious benefits derived from the symptoms of a disorder C. The worsening of symptoms due to medication side effects D. Benefits received from a diagnosis, such as disability payments None 12. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The term "allostatic load" is best described as: A. The physiological costs of chronic exposure to fluctuating or heightened neural or neuroendocrine response B. The equilibrium between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity C. The cognitive load involved in adapting to new social environments D. The buildup of lactic acid in muscles after prolonged stress None 13. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The concept of "earned secure attachment" is best understood as: A. A natural progression from insecure to secure attachment as children age B. The outcome of successful attachment-focused therapy in adulthood C. A classification for individuals who have achieved secure attachment solely through their genetic predisposition D. A theoretical framework suggesting that secure attachment is only possible in early childhood None 14. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In the assessment of complex post-traumatic stress disorder 'C-PTSD', which of the following is NOT typically considered a core component? A. Re-experiencing traumatic events through flashbacks and nightmares B. Persistent avoidance of reminders of the trauma C. Difficulties in regulating emotions and a sense of detachment D. A pronounced tendency towards somatization of psychological distress None 15. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The therapeutic model known as "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" (ACT) is primarily based on the principle of: A. Correcting cognitive distortions to improve mental health B. Enhancing emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills C. Accepting one's thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, while committing to action that aligns with personal values D. Gradual exposure to feared stimuli to extinguish the fear response None 16. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus Which of the following best describes the concept of "countertransference" in therapeutic settings? A. The process by which therapists project their own unresolved conflicts onto the client B. The replication of the client's transference reaction by the therapist C. The therapist's emotional reaction to the client's transference D. A therapeutic technique where therapists use their own reactions to understand the client's psyche None 17. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The "miracle question" is a technique most associated with which therapeutic approach? A. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) B. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) C. Narrative Therapy D. Psychodynamic Therapy None 18. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In schema therapy, "maladaptive schemas" are understood as: A. Deeply ingrained patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior developed in childhood that are dysfunctional in adulthood B. The result of cognitive distortions that occur in adulthood due to external stressors C. Fixed psychological structures that determine one's personality type D. Strategies that individuals use to protect themselves from psychological harm None 19. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The concept of "intergenerational trauma" is best described as: A. The transmission of historical oppression and its negative consequences across generations B. The psychological effect of trauma experienced by one generation on the subsequent generations C. A theory suggesting that trauma can be genetically inherited from one's ancestors D. The cumulative effect of a person's experiences with trauma over their lifetime None 20. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The technique of "externalization" is most closely associated with which therapeutic approach? A. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) B. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) C. Narrative Therapy D. Motivational Interviewing None 21. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus "Projective identification" is a concept that originates from which therapeutic perspective? A. Behavioral Therapy B. Humanistic Psychology C. Object Relations Theory D. Gestalt Therapy None 22. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The "Yalom's Therapeutic Factors" are most associated with which type of therapy? A. Individual Psychotherapy B. Group Psychotherapy C. Family Therapy D. Couples Therapy None 23. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The therapeutic concept of "parallel process" is most commonly observed in: A. The dynamics between a therapist and supervisor mirroring those of the therapist and client B. Concurrent psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatments for a single disorder C. The use of dual relationships to enhance therapeutic outcomes D. Similar therapeutic outcomes achieved by different therapeutic approaches None 24. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In the context of trauma therapy, "titration" refers to: A. The gradual introduction of traumatic memories to prevent overwhelming the client B. The measurement of therapeutic outcomes through standardized tests C. The process of adjusting psychotropic medication dosages D. The determination of the client's financial contribution based on income None 25. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The "false self" concept, often explored in therapy, was originally introduced by: A. Carl Jung B. Donald Winnicott C. Sigmund Freud D. B.F. Skinner None 26. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus In motivational interviewing, "rolling with resistance" involves: A. Directly confronting the client's objections to change B. Avoiding discussion of topics that provoke client resistance C. Adjusting the therapeutic approach in response to the client's resistance D. Recommending a different therapist or treatment modality None 27. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The "window of tolerance" model, used in understanding responses to trauma, describes: A. The range of arousal within which a person can function optimally B. The physical space in which a client feels safe during therapy sessions C. The timeframe in which trauma symptoms are likely to emerge after a traumatic event D. The varying levels of tolerance to psychotropic medication in traumatized individuals None 28. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus "Defensive splitting" is a defense mechanism most commonly associated with which personality disorder? A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder B. Borderline Personality Disorder C. Antisocial Personality Disorder D. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder None 29. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The technique of "mentalization-based treatment" (MBT) is particularly designed for clients with: A. Substance use disorders B. Schizophrenia C. Borderline Personality Disorder D. Bipolar Disorder None 30. NCE: Areas of Clinical Focus The term "neuroplasticity" is significant in psychotherapy because it implies that: A. Neurotransmitter levels are permanently altered by long-term therapy B. Brain structure and function can change in response to therapy C. Psychological disorders are primarily neurological in origin D. The therapeutic relationship has no impact on brain chemistry None 1 out of 30 Time is Up! Time's up
