NCE WEEK 2 STUDY PREP

What is the purpose of summarizing at the end of an intake session?

To ensure accuracy, highlight key themes, and prepare for collaborative goal setting.

What are common areas explored in a psychosocial history?

Family dynamics, education, employment, medical history, trauma, relationships, substance use, and legal issues.

Which intake question best assesses suicidal risk?

A. “Have you been feeling sad?”
B. “Have you thought about hurting yourself?”
C. “Do you ever feel anxious?”
D. “Do you have support from friends or family?

B — Direct questioning about self-harm is best practice for risk assessment.

During intake, a counselor notices inconsistencies in the client’s timeline. Which response demonstrates good interviewing skills?

A. Confront the client about lying
B. Summarize the timeline and ask for clarification
C. Ignore the inconsistency and move on
D. Focus only on current symptoms

B — Summarizing and seeking clarification builds understanding without confrontation.

Which microskill helps clarify confusing client statements?

Clarification — asking the client to elaborate or specify for better understanding.

What is informed consent in clinical interviewing?

Explaining counseling process, risks/benefits, limits of confidentiality, and obtaining client agreement to proceed.

Why is cultural sensitivity critical during intake?

t ensures respect for client’s background, avoids bias, and informs culturally appropriate assessment and treatment planning.

Name three risk factors you must always assess in intake interviews.

• Suicide risk (ideation, intent, plan)

• Homicidal risk

• Self-harm or danger to others

What is assessed in a Mental Status Exam (MSE)?

Appearance, behavior, mood, affect, speech, thought process/content, cognition, insight, and judgment.

What is the main goal of a clinical intake interview?

To collect comprehensive information to understand the client’s concerns, assess risk, formulate a diagnosis, and develop an initial treatment plan.

What are the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

• 5+ symptoms during same 2-week period

• Must include depressed mood OR anhedonia

• Symptoms: weight/appetite changes, sleep changes, fatigue, guilt, poor concentration, suicidal ideation,

How long must MDD symptoms last, and what level of impairment is required?

• Duration: ≥ 2 weeks

• Must cause significant distress/impairment

• Not due to substance or medical condition

MDD vs. Persistent Depressive Disorder

• MDD = ≥2 weeks, more severe

• PDD = ≥2 years, chronic but less severe symptoms

: What are the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

• Excessive anxiety/worry for ≥6 months

• Difficult to control worry

• 3+ symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance (1 for kids)

How is GAD different from Panic Disorder?

• GAD = chronic worry about multiple domains

• Panic = recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with fear of future attacks

What are the four symptom clusters required for PTSD diagnosis?

• Intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares)

• Avoidance (avoiding reminders)

• Negative mood/cognition changes (guilt, detachment)

• Arousal/reactivity (hypervigilance, sleep problems)

: How does PTSD differ from Acute Stress Disorder?

• PTSD = symptoms >1 month after trauma

• Acute Stress = symptoms 3 days–1 month after trauma

What are the DSM-5 criteria for Substance Use Disorder?

• Maladaptive pattern causing impairment/distress

• 2+ symptoms in 12 months: cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, failure to fulfill roles, continued use despite harm, etc.

How is SUD severity determined in DSM-5?

• Mild = 2–3 symptoms

• Moderate = 4–5 symptoms

• Severe = 6+ symptoms

: How does Major Depressive Disorder differ from Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood?

• MDD = 5+ depressive symptoms, ≥2 weeks, not tied to one stressor

• Adjustment = emotional/behavioral response to stressor, within 3 months, resolves after stressor ends

A client reports depressed mood, fatigue, insomnia, poor concentration, and suicidal thoughts lasting 3 weeks. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Persistent Depressive Disorder
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Adjustment Disorder
D. Bipolar II Disorder

Meets MDD criteria (≥5 symptoms, ≥2 weeks)

A client worries daily about finances, health, and family for 7 months, has muscle tension, irritability, and poor sleep. What is the likely diagnosis?

Chronic worry ≥6 months with 3+ physical symptoms = GAD

A veteran reports flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance for 2 months after combat exposure. What is the diagnosis? A. Acute Stress Disorder
B. PTSD
C. GAD
D. Major Depression

B — PTSD requires >1 month of trauma-related symptom

A man drinks daily, can’t cut down, lost his job due to drinking, and experiences withdrawal. Which severity level applies?

A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Cannot determine

C — 6+ symptoms = Severe Substance Use Disorder

The main diagnostic feature of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) i

not the symptom that is being reported or the one that causes the client the most concern.

Rather, it is the excessive focus and thoughts about that symptom that form SSD. Thus, a person who is obsessed with their symptom of shortness of breath would appear to be suffering from SSD.

Personality disorders comprise 10 distinct and diagnosable maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, relationships, and functioning.

These are paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, avoidant, histrionic, obsessive-compulsive, and dependent.

At very low levels, the neurotransmitter

dopamine is implicated in Parkinson's disease; an excess may be related to schizophrenia.

Bergen's model uses a

behavioral approach that emphasizes the verbal interactions during consultation. The four stages of this model are problem identification, problem analysis, plan implementation, and problem evaluation. Bergan's model also focuses on problem behaviors, their antecedents, and their consequences.

Sociometry

the measurement of people in groups by behavior and attitude; it is good at detailing the feelings of group members for each other