AMFTRB National Exam Study Guide; Major
Terminologies (work in progress), Latest Update
2024/2025.
Positivism Belief System
This theory believes there can be only one real interpretation of a client's problem.
Realism Belief System
This theory believes there is no room for personal perspective or interpretation.
Essential-ism Belief System
This theory believes that things in the world can not be interpreted differently based on personal,
cultural, or social perspective
Empiricism Belief System
This theory believes that all knowledge comes through sensual experience. For example I know I am
right because of the way I feel about it.
Complimentary Relationship
In this type of relationship members complete each other by possessing different strengths and
weaknesses that make up for what the other is missing.
Emotional Reactivity (Family Systems Theory)
This means to respond to a stimuli without serious thought, but with emotions or feelings, rather than
logic or perspective.
Coalition
This term is used to describe when multiple members of a family unite against another member or
members of their family.
Symmetric Relationship
In this type of relationship each member has equal importance and status with no clear dominant leader.
Content and Process
This is the difference that is observed in therapy from how a client behaves, and how they speak.
First Order Change
This is described as a minimal change to a family that does not effect or change the overall family
system.
Second Order Change
, This term is used to describe a change in a family system that alters the family dynamic or how they
operate.
Family System
This is an understanding of how each member of a family works together as individuals to form a single
unit.
Family Rules
This is the repetitive way, unwritten or unspoken, of how demands influence individuals, in the family,
and how they behave, express emotion and interact.
Family Homeostasis
This is used to describe the way in which Families behave in order to avoid change and keep things the
same.
Identified Client or Patient
This individual is usually, due to behavior or symptoms, the reason why families begin therapy.
Undifferentiated Family Ego Mass
Bowen used this term to describe a family that lacked the ability to experience individual feelings and
emotions.
Undifferentiated Family Ego Mass
According to Bowen, this describes a families unhealthy tendency to function as one emotional being.
Second Order Cybernetics
This is the theory that a therapist cannot remain neutral while observing and trying to change a family
system. In fact they will become part of the family system they are trying to work with.
Meta Communication
This is the belief that all dialogue is split between the direct message, and the suggested message.
Parent Training
This is when a therapist teaches caregivers specific techniques and skills to increase positive behavior
and decrease negative behavior in their children.
Process Research
This is when a therapist explores different approaches in therapy, and concludes which techniques and
interventions are most effective, resulting in a specilized therapy to help the client.
Randomized Trials
This is a research method that compares how well different treatments work, using patients, that are
selected at random.
Terminologies (work in progress), Latest Update
2024/2025.
Positivism Belief System
This theory believes there can be only one real interpretation of a client's problem.
Realism Belief System
This theory believes there is no room for personal perspective or interpretation.
Essential-ism Belief System
This theory believes that things in the world can not be interpreted differently based on personal,
cultural, or social perspective
Empiricism Belief System
This theory believes that all knowledge comes through sensual experience. For example I know I am
right because of the way I feel about it.
Complimentary Relationship
In this type of relationship members complete each other by possessing different strengths and
weaknesses that make up for what the other is missing.
Emotional Reactivity (Family Systems Theory)
This means to respond to a stimuli without serious thought, but with emotions or feelings, rather than
logic or perspective.
Coalition
This term is used to describe when multiple members of a family unite against another member or
members of their family.
Symmetric Relationship
In this type of relationship each member has equal importance and status with no clear dominant leader.
Content and Process
This is the difference that is observed in therapy from how a client behaves, and how they speak.
First Order Change
This is described as a minimal change to a family that does not effect or change the overall family
system.
Second Order Change
, This term is used to describe a change in a family system that alters the family dynamic or how they
operate.
Family System
This is an understanding of how each member of a family works together as individuals to form a single
unit.
Family Rules
This is the repetitive way, unwritten or unspoken, of how demands influence individuals, in the family,
and how they behave, express emotion and interact.
Family Homeostasis
This is used to describe the way in which Families behave in order to avoid change and keep things the
same.
Identified Client or Patient
This individual is usually, due to behavior or symptoms, the reason why families begin therapy.
Undifferentiated Family Ego Mass
Bowen used this term to describe a family that lacked the ability to experience individual feelings and
emotions.
Undifferentiated Family Ego Mass
According to Bowen, this describes a families unhealthy tendency to function as one emotional being.
Second Order Cybernetics
This is the theory that a therapist cannot remain neutral while observing and trying to change a family
system. In fact they will become part of the family system they are trying to work with.
Meta Communication
This is the belief that all dialogue is split between the direct message, and the suggested message.
Parent Training
This is when a therapist teaches caregivers specific techniques and skills to increase positive behavior
and decrease negative behavior in their children.
Process Research
This is when a therapist explores different approaches in therapy, and concludes which techniques and
interventions are most effective, resulting in a specilized therapy to help the client.
Randomized Trials
This is a research method that compares how well different treatments work, using patients, that are
selected at random.
