MFT LICENSING EXAM COMPREHENSIVE TEST
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS EXPERT VERIFIED GRADED A+
◉ Family Systems Theory. Answer: A broad range of theories and
therapeutic models that view the family as an open system that
functions in relation to its larger environment and define individual
problems in the context of family dynamics.
◉ Family Typologies. Answer: A way of classifying families which
illustrates members' similarities and differences, and which may
quickly enable the therapist to identify therapeutic goals. For
example, the Beavers-Timberlawn model classifies families as
centripetal or centrifugal.
◉ Feedback. Answer: Information which is returned to the system
and which exerts a controlling influence on it.
◉ Feedback Loops. Answer: A circular mechanism whereby
feedback is reintroduced into the system, in a looping chain of
events that influence one another (Can be Negative Feedback Loop
and Positive Feedback Loop).
,◉ Feminist Family Therapy. Answer: A treatment philosophy with a
nonsexist, egalitarian view in which the social and familial gender
roles of women and men are actively considered, including the
perspective that social and cultural structures often give men a
greater amount of power and control over political and economic
resources.
◉ Field Theory. Answer: From Lewin, the theory that the
individual's field or "life-space" is psychologically and emotionally
constructed of objects which are perceived to have either positive or
negative valence. Positively valued objects are approached, while
negatively valued ones are avoided. Closely related to Gestalt
psychology in its interest in how attention to objects is determined.
◉ Filial Loyalty. Answer: CONTEXTUAL: the loyalty inherent in
children toward parents. The care and concern given to children, in
turn, results in Filial Responsibility toward parents (see Split Filial
Loyalty).
◉ First Order Change. Answer: MRI (STRATEGIC): A change in a
behavior due to external forces, thoughts and perceptions are the
same, unlike Second Order Change where thoughts and perception
about same situation change causing a change in one's behavior.
◉ Fixation of Triangles. Answer: WHITAKER-EXPERIENTIAL: term
used by Whitaker (symbolic-experiential therapy) to describe a
clash of family of origin cultures (a man from a family of isolates
,marries into a family of social activists). The weakest family member
is vulnerable to pathology arising out of family mythology.
◉ Fixed Linguistic Statement. Answer: SOLUTION FOCUSED: the
idea that families often characterize their problem as though it were
an immutable fact in the beginning of therapy which generates a
sense of hopelessness. To reverse this tendency the therapist begins
asking by eliciting information about what happens when the
problem does not occur.
◉ Formula First Task. Answer: SOLUTION FOCUSED: 1st
intervention of therapy where clients are asked to observe their lives
between 1st and 2nd sessions to notice what has happened that they
would like to continue to happen so they begin to identify their
strengths.
◉ Functional Analysis. Answer: A behavioral assessment technique
used to determine the interpersonal or environmental contingencies
that maintain the problem.
◉ Functional Family Therapy (Originally Systems Behavioral
Therapy). Answer: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL: model of cognitive-
behavioral marital therapy developed by Alexander which integrates
systems theory, behaviorism, and cognitive therapy. The two-step
therapy includes cognitive work and psychoeducation and is most
often applied to adolescents and their families.
, ◉ Fusion. Answer: BOWEN: Refers to the blurring of intellectual and
emotional boundaries between family members. It is the opposite of
differentiation, results in lack of self and higher levels of reactivity
between family members.
◉ Gender Sensitive Family Therapy. Answer: A philosophical
position that can be applied to any model of family therapy in which
the therapist examines the impact of gender roles on family
members in order to help clients make choices that are not limited
by internalized gender biases or external pressure based on gender.
◉ General Systems Theory. Answer: The study of how living systems
organize, maintain, and regulate themselves, emphasizing the unity
and interrelated hierarchical structure of the parts. Adapted from
the biological, physical, and communication sciences, primarily
through the work of von Bertalanffy.
◉ Genogram. Answer: Multigenerational schematic diagram of the
family system used by Bowen and other transgenerational therapists
to depict the individual and relationship characteristics and
behavioral patterns.
◉ Gestalt Family Therapy. Answer: model of therapy that focuses on
the anxiety inherent in the contact between people and which uses
techniques to heighten self-awareness and personal choice.
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS EXPERT VERIFIED GRADED A+
◉ Family Systems Theory. Answer: A broad range of theories and
therapeutic models that view the family as an open system that
functions in relation to its larger environment and define individual
problems in the context of family dynamics.
◉ Family Typologies. Answer: A way of classifying families which
illustrates members' similarities and differences, and which may
quickly enable the therapist to identify therapeutic goals. For
example, the Beavers-Timberlawn model classifies families as
centripetal or centrifugal.
◉ Feedback. Answer: Information which is returned to the system
and which exerts a controlling influence on it.
◉ Feedback Loops. Answer: A circular mechanism whereby
feedback is reintroduced into the system, in a looping chain of
events that influence one another (Can be Negative Feedback Loop
and Positive Feedback Loop).
,◉ Feminist Family Therapy. Answer: A treatment philosophy with a
nonsexist, egalitarian view in which the social and familial gender
roles of women and men are actively considered, including the
perspective that social and cultural structures often give men a
greater amount of power and control over political and economic
resources.
◉ Field Theory. Answer: From Lewin, the theory that the
individual's field or "life-space" is psychologically and emotionally
constructed of objects which are perceived to have either positive or
negative valence. Positively valued objects are approached, while
negatively valued ones are avoided. Closely related to Gestalt
psychology in its interest in how attention to objects is determined.
◉ Filial Loyalty. Answer: CONTEXTUAL: the loyalty inherent in
children toward parents. The care and concern given to children, in
turn, results in Filial Responsibility toward parents (see Split Filial
Loyalty).
◉ First Order Change. Answer: MRI (STRATEGIC): A change in a
behavior due to external forces, thoughts and perceptions are the
same, unlike Second Order Change where thoughts and perception
about same situation change causing a change in one's behavior.
◉ Fixation of Triangles. Answer: WHITAKER-EXPERIENTIAL: term
used by Whitaker (symbolic-experiential therapy) to describe a
clash of family of origin cultures (a man from a family of isolates
,marries into a family of social activists). The weakest family member
is vulnerable to pathology arising out of family mythology.
◉ Fixed Linguistic Statement. Answer: SOLUTION FOCUSED: the
idea that families often characterize their problem as though it were
an immutable fact in the beginning of therapy which generates a
sense of hopelessness. To reverse this tendency the therapist begins
asking by eliciting information about what happens when the
problem does not occur.
◉ Formula First Task. Answer: SOLUTION FOCUSED: 1st
intervention of therapy where clients are asked to observe their lives
between 1st and 2nd sessions to notice what has happened that they
would like to continue to happen so they begin to identify their
strengths.
◉ Functional Analysis. Answer: A behavioral assessment technique
used to determine the interpersonal or environmental contingencies
that maintain the problem.
◉ Functional Family Therapy (Originally Systems Behavioral
Therapy). Answer: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL: model of cognitive-
behavioral marital therapy developed by Alexander which integrates
systems theory, behaviorism, and cognitive therapy. The two-step
therapy includes cognitive work and psychoeducation and is most
often applied to adolescents and their families.
, ◉ Fusion. Answer: BOWEN: Refers to the blurring of intellectual and
emotional boundaries between family members. It is the opposite of
differentiation, results in lack of self and higher levels of reactivity
between family members.
◉ Gender Sensitive Family Therapy. Answer: A philosophical
position that can be applied to any model of family therapy in which
the therapist examines the impact of gender roles on family
members in order to help clients make choices that are not limited
by internalized gender biases or external pressure based on gender.
◉ General Systems Theory. Answer: The study of how living systems
organize, maintain, and regulate themselves, emphasizing the unity
and interrelated hierarchical structure of the parts. Adapted from
the biological, physical, and communication sciences, primarily
through the work of von Bertalanffy.
◉ Genogram. Answer: Multigenerational schematic diagram of the
family system used by Bowen and other transgenerational therapists
to depict the individual and relationship characteristics and
behavioral patterns.
◉ Gestalt Family Therapy. Answer: model of therapy that focuses on
the anxiety inherent in the contact between people and which uses
techniques to heighten self-awareness and personal choice.
