Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Interventions
What this domain tests
This domain tests whether you can match a therapy to a disorder and a stage of readiness, explain mechanisms briefly, and respect ethical boundaries - including culturally adapted practice in Kuwait.
Core rules and concepts
- CBT: structured, present-focused, targeting unhelpful cognitions and behaviours; first-line for depression, panic, social anxiety, OCD (with ERP) and PTSD (trauma-focused).
- Interpersonal therapy: depression, focusing on role transitions, grief, disputes and deficits.
- DBT and MBT: borderline personality disorder, targeting emotional dysregulation and mentalising respectively.
- Psychodynamic therapy: explores unconscious conflict, transference and defence mechanisms; supportive therapy aims to sustain functioning rather than change structure.
- Motivational interviewing: collaborative, directional, resolves ambivalence; the right tool in precontemplation and contemplation, not a substitute for CBT once a change plan exists.
- Stages of change (Prochaska): precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance.
- Ethics and systems: confidentiality and its limits, informed consent, boundary management; supported employment (IPS) and family psychoeducation improve functional outcomes; care should be adapted to family and religious context without abandoning evidence-based content.
Worked example
A man with alcohol dependence says he sees no problem and attends only because his wife insisted. He is precontemplative, so motivational interviewing with feedback and exploration of values fits; a CBT relapse-prevention plan is premature until motivation shifts.
Traps that cost marks
- Offering CBT to a precontemplative patient.
- Confusing supportive therapy with doing nothing.
- Promising absolute confidentiality before asking about risk.