NURS 753 Psychotherapeutic Theories COMPLETED EXAM 2026 (9pages)

1. What is the main difference between cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)? Answer: CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs that cause emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors. DBT is a modified form of CBT that incorporates mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to help clients with borderline personality disorder or other complex problems. Rationale: CBT and DBT share some common principles and techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, exposure, and homework assignments. However, DBT also emphasizes the acceptance and validation of the client's experience, the balance between change and acceptance, and the use of dialectical strategies to resolve apparent contradictions or conflicts. 2. What are the three core conditions of person-centered therapy (PCT) according to Carl Rogers? Answer: The three core conditions of PCT are empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. Rationale: Empathy is the ability to understand and reflect the client's feelings and perspectives without judgment or interpretation. Unconditional positive regard is the attitude of acceptance and respect for the client as a person of worth regardless of their behaviors or circumstances. Congruence is the authenticity and consistency between the therapist's words and actions. 3. What are the four stages of motivational interviewing (MI) according to Miller and Rollnick? Answer: The four stages of MI are engagement, focusing, evoking, and planning. Rationale: Engagement is the process of establishing a trusting and collaborative relationship with the client. Focusing is the process of identifying and clarifying the client's goals and priorities for change. Evoking is the process of eliciting and strengthening the client's intrinsic motivation for change by exploring their ambivalence, values, and reasons. Planning is the process of developing a concrete and feasible action plan for change with the client's input and commitment. 4. What are the five phases of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) according to Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger? Answer: The five phases of TF-CBT are stabilization, psychoeducation, relaxation, affective expression and regulation, cognitive coping and processing. Rationale: Stabilization is the phase where the therapist helps the client establish safety, stability, and coping skills in their environment. Psychoeducation is the phase where the therapist provides information about