MFT LICENSING EXAM Questions and
Answers.
ABC-X Family Crisis Model -
\Rueben Hill's model used to explain whether or not a stressful event would result in
crisis in some families but not in other's.
A=stressor
B=family's crisis- meeting resources
C=family's definition of the stressor
X=the crisis
Accomodation -
\Describes a variety of engagement techniques such as joining, used principally by
Structural Family Therapists in which the therapist adapts themselves to the family's
style of interacting.
Acculturation -
\The process by which immigrant group members adjust to the culture of their new
country.
Adaptability -
\Term from Olson's Circumflex Model, which is a measure of the families ability to
respond and adapt to changes in their lives. Also called "flexibility"-families are rated at
4 levels:
1. Rigid
2. Structured
3. Flexible
4. Chaotic
Alliance -
\Structural and Strategic Model Definition: a bond or affiliation between 2 or more family
members. Alliances differ from coalitions in that they are generally within the
subsystems and not hidden.
Domestic Violence Model Definition: Refers to the redemptive phase of the abuse cycle,
in which the perpetrator promises to never act violently again and the victim agrees to
participate in that goal and believes them, continuing the cycle of abuse.
Antilibidinal Ego -
\Objects-Relations Term defined as the part of the ego that is formed from interactions
with the rejecting object.
Antilibidinal System -
,\Object-Relations Term define as a repressed system within the ego characterized by
aggression, rage, and contempt.
"As If" Structure -
\Symbolic-Experiential Term defined as family members are encouraged to freely
experiment "as if" they were in the role of the other, so long as they understand that the
role play is symbolic. The process allows family members to alternately experiment and
then return to their secure roles.
Autopoetic (Autopoeisis) System -
\Defined as a system that is self organizing and self maintaining, such as biological and
human systems. Can be described by second order cybernetics. Term originated from
Postmodern Chilean Biologist, Maturana.
Avoider -
\SATIR EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: This is 1 of the 5 communication styles developed by
Satir (Experiential Therapy). The avoider tends to distract others form potential conflict
by acting helpless, weak, and lacking an understanding.
Battle for Initiative -
\WHITAKER EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: The Battle for Initiative follows the Battle for
Structure. Defined as the family taking back authority form the therapist to make choices
about what is discussed and about decisions that affect their life.
Battle for Structure -
\WHITAKER EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: The Battle for Structure is when the therapist
demands the family capitulate (give in to) to their way of conducting the therapy,
particularly during the initial stage of therapy. It is followed by the next phase, Battle for
Initiative.
Beavers-Timberlawn Model -
\An assessment tool used to rate the dimensions of competence and style in a family.
Competence Dimensions are:
1. Adequate
2. Optimal
3. Midrange
4. Borderline
5. Severely Dysfunctional
Stylistic Dimensions are:
1. Centripetal
2. Centrifugal
3. Mixed
Behavioral Exchange Theory -
,\From Behavior Family Therapy. Defined as a way of describing relationships in terms
of costs and benefits. Functional relationships have plentiful access to rewards and
relatively few costs, while distressed relationships have few rewards relative to the
costs.
Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT) -
\A theory and therapeutic model developed by PATERSON, REID (and others). Based
on principles of learning and behavior change. All family members are seen as part of
the problem, and symptoms are reformulated into concrete observable behaviors, each
of which will be rewarded, or extinguished.
Behavioral Parent Training (Behavioral Family Therapy) -
\A program for training parents in the use of contingency management to modify, or
extinguish unwanted behaviors and reinforce desirable behaviors in children.
Bicultural -
\People who belong to more then one culture and are able to alternate between the two,
adjusting temporarily to each, depending on the circumstance.
Bilateral Pseudo Therapy -
\SYMBOLIC-EXPERIENTIAL: Defined as the tendency in some families for members to
be therapists to one another. The Therapist demands the therapy be turned over to
them, asserting the family has failed in it's efforts at self-therapy. (Goes along with
Battle for Structure and Battle for Initiative)
Bilateral Transference -
\SYMBOLIC-EXPERIENTIAL: A therapeutic stance defined as the therapist adopting
the language, accent, rhythm, pr posture of the family.
Biobehavioral -
\Defined as biological factors that influence behavior (example, depression that is
caused, in part, by faulty neurochemistry.
Bi-Modal Feedback Mechanism -
\(Ashby) the rule-bound mechanism by which a system remains unchanged so long as
the internal or external environment is stable, but when the fluctuation exceeds the
range of stability the system must respond in some new way. The system either breaks
down or it makes a leap into new levels of functioning. The change results in a new set
of patterns which, like the old pattern, is also bound by rules, and it, too, remains
unchanged, so long as the environment is stable.
Binuclear Family -
\Families in which the parents are divorced, have remarried, and formed two intact
nuclear families.
Blamer -
, \SATIR EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: This is 1 of the 5 communication styles developed by
Satir (Experiential Therapy). The Blamer judges and complains, often for the purpose of
bullying others into accepting what their preference is (get their own way).
Boundary -
\MINUCHIN-STRUCTURAL:Minuchin's structural family therapy, boundaries are
hypothetical dividers between or among subsystems within the family or between
systems. They are defined spatially by the ways family members align with one
another.They are set by the implicit or explicit rules concerning who participates in
which subsystem and in what manner. Boundaries and the subsystems they define may
change over time. In the structural model, boundaries are rigid, clear, or diffuse.
Boundary Interface -
\The regions between each subsystem of the family and between the family and the
suprasystem. In family systems therapy this interface is referred to as the familial
boundary.
Boundary Making -
\A structural therapy technique in which the therapist establishes a functional semi-
permeable (clear) boundary where either a rigid or diffuse boundary had existed
previously.
Bowenian Family Therapy -
\Bowen's theory and therapeutic model is based on the family's emotional system, the
differentiation of self within one's family, and the multi-generational transmission of
emotions and family patterns.
Brief Family Therapy -
\DEVELOPED BY MRI (STRATEGIC): A model of problem-focused and time-limited
therapy developed by the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, CA. Milton Erickson
and others.
Caring Days -
\From behavioral marital therapy, each partner identifies behaviors that his/her partner
finds enjoyable and makes a commitment to increasing those behaviors.
Case-Specific Symptom Prescription -
\STRATEGIC MODEL TECHNIQUE defined as a therapeutic technique of the strategic
model, in which symptomatic or other undesirable behaviors are paradoxically
encouraged in order to lessen such behavior or bring it under conscious control.
Central Ego -
\OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY:1 of 3 parts of the ego. The Central Ego is conscious,
adaptable, & free to deal with future experiences with attachment figures in reasonable
ways. The central ego maintains its own object, the ideal object
Answers.
ABC-X Family Crisis Model -
\Rueben Hill's model used to explain whether or not a stressful event would result in
crisis in some families but not in other's.
A=stressor
B=family's crisis- meeting resources
C=family's definition of the stressor
X=the crisis
Accomodation -
\Describes a variety of engagement techniques such as joining, used principally by
Structural Family Therapists in which the therapist adapts themselves to the family's
style of interacting.
Acculturation -
\The process by which immigrant group members adjust to the culture of their new
country.
Adaptability -
\Term from Olson's Circumflex Model, which is a measure of the families ability to
respond and adapt to changes in their lives. Also called "flexibility"-families are rated at
4 levels:
1. Rigid
2. Structured
3. Flexible
4. Chaotic
Alliance -
\Structural and Strategic Model Definition: a bond or affiliation between 2 or more family
members. Alliances differ from coalitions in that they are generally within the
subsystems and not hidden.
Domestic Violence Model Definition: Refers to the redemptive phase of the abuse cycle,
in which the perpetrator promises to never act violently again and the victim agrees to
participate in that goal and believes them, continuing the cycle of abuse.
Antilibidinal Ego -
\Objects-Relations Term defined as the part of the ego that is formed from interactions
with the rejecting object.
Antilibidinal System -
,\Object-Relations Term define as a repressed system within the ego characterized by
aggression, rage, and contempt.
"As If" Structure -
\Symbolic-Experiential Term defined as family members are encouraged to freely
experiment "as if" they were in the role of the other, so long as they understand that the
role play is symbolic. The process allows family members to alternately experiment and
then return to their secure roles.
Autopoetic (Autopoeisis) System -
\Defined as a system that is self organizing and self maintaining, such as biological and
human systems. Can be described by second order cybernetics. Term originated from
Postmodern Chilean Biologist, Maturana.
Avoider -
\SATIR EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: This is 1 of the 5 communication styles developed by
Satir (Experiential Therapy). The avoider tends to distract others form potential conflict
by acting helpless, weak, and lacking an understanding.
Battle for Initiative -
\WHITAKER EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: The Battle for Initiative follows the Battle for
Structure. Defined as the family taking back authority form the therapist to make choices
about what is discussed and about decisions that affect their life.
Battle for Structure -
\WHITAKER EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: The Battle for Structure is when the therapist
demands the family capitulate (give in to) to their way of conducting the therapy,
particularly during the initial stage of therapy. It is followed by the next phase, Battle for
Initiative.
Beavers-Timberlawn Model -
\An assessment tool used to rate the dimensions of competence and style in a family.
Competence Dimensions are:
1. Adequate
2. Optimal
3. Midrange
4. Borderline
5. Severely Dysfunctional
Stylistic Dimensions are:
1. Centripetal
2. Centrifugal
3. Mixed
Behavioral Exchange Theory -
,\From Behavior Family Therapy. Defined as a way of describing relationships in terms
of costs and benefits. Functional relationships have plentiful access to rewards and
relatively few costs, while distressed relationships have few rewards relative to the
costs.
Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT) -
\A theory and therapeutic model developed by PATERSON, REID (and others). Based
on principles of learning and behavior change. All family members are seen as part of
the problem, and symptoms are reformulated into concrete observable behaviors, each
of which will be rewarded, or extinguished.
Behavioral Parent Training (Behavioral Family Therapy) -
\A program for training parents in the use of contingency management to modify, or
extinguish unwanted behaviors and reinforce desirable behaviors in children.
Bicultural -
\People who belong to more then one culture and are able to alternate between the two,
adjusting temporarily to each, depending on the circumstance.
Bilateral Pseudo Therapy -
\SYMBOLIC-EXPERIENTIAL: Defined as the tendency in some families for members to
be therapists to one another. The Therapist demands the therapy be turned over to
them, asserting the family has failed in it's efforts at self-therapy. (Goes along with
Battle for Structure and Battle for Initiative)
Bilateral Transference -
\SYMBOLIC-EXPERIENTIAL: A therapeutic stance defined as the therapist adopting
the language, accent, rhythm, pr posture of the family.
Biobehavioral -
\Defined as biological factors that influence behavior (example, depression that is
caused, in part, by faulty neurochemistry.
Bi-Modal Feedback Mechanism -
\(Ashby) the rule-bound mechanism by which a system remains unchanged so long as
the internal or external environment is stable, but when the fluctuation exceeds the
range of stability the system must respond in some new way. The system either breaks
down or it makes a leap into new levels of functioning. The change results in a new set
of patterns which, like the old pattern, is also bound by rules, and it, too, remains
unchanged, so long as the environment is stable.
Binuclear Family -
\Families in which the parents are divorced, have remarried, and formed two intact
nuclear families.
Blamer -
, \SATIR EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: This is 1 of the 5 communication styles developed by
Satir (Experiential Therapy). The Blamer judges and complains, often for the purpose of
bullying others into accepting what their preference is (get their own way).
Boundary -
\MINUCHIN-STRUCTURAL:Minuchin's structural family therapy, boundaries are
hypothetical dividers between or among subsystems within the family or between
systems. They are defined spatially by the ways family members align with one
another.They are set by the implicit or explicit rules concerning who participates in
which subsystem and in what manner. Boundaries and the subsystems they define may
change over time. In the structural model, boundaries are rigid, clear, or diffuse.
Boundary Interface -
\The regions between each subsystem of the family and between the family and the
suprasystem. In family systems therapy this interface is referred to as the familial
boundary.
Boundary Making -
\A structural therapy technique in which the therapist establishes a functional semi-
permeable (clear) boundary where either a rigid or diffuse boundary had existed
previously.
Bowenian Family Therapy -
\Bowen's theory and therapeutic model is based on the family's emotional system, the
differentiation of self within one's family, and the multi-generational transmission of
emotions and family patterns.
Brief Family Therapy -
\DEVELOPED BY MRI (STRATEGIC): A model of problem-focused and time-limited
therapy developed by the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, CA. Milton Erickson
and others.
Caring Days -
\From behavioral marital therapy, each partner identifies behaviors that his/her partner
finds enjoyable and makes a commitment to increasing those behaviors.
Case-Specific Symptom Prescription -
\STRATEGIC MODEL TECHNIQUE defined as a therapeutic technique of the strategic
model, in which symptomatic or other undesirable behaviors are paradoxically
encouraged in order to lessen such behavior or bring it under conscious control.
Central Ego -
\OBJECT RELATIONS THEORY:1 of 3 parts of the ego. The Central Ego is conscious,
adaptable, & free to deal with future experiences with attachment figures in reasonable
ways. The central ego maintains its own object, the ideal object
