MFT Licensing Exam: Theories
Questions and Answers
CBT - ANS--change occurs by learning to modify dysfunctional thought patterns
-teach client coping skills and give homework to practice; therapist is a "teacher" that
helps clients understand how negative thoughts affect mood and behavior
rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) - ANS--change occurs through changing
irrational beliefs to rational beliefs, which improve clients' emotional and behavioral
functioning
-therapist is directive, confrontational and acts as an instructor to help client alter
thinking patterns to overcome psychological issues/mental distress
reality therapy - ANS--change occurs through identifying and meetings needs, and
developing satisfying interpersonal relationships
-therapist creates nurturing environment; non-judgmental, supportive, patient coach
DBT - ANS--change happens through mindfulness, developing skills to manage distress
tolerance and emotional regulation, and improving interpersonal problem solving skills
-therapist is an ally and coach, validates and offers alternatives
client-centered therapy - ANS--change occurs through creating conditions for the client
to grow through the therapeutic relationship and with genuineness, unconditional
positive regard, and empathy
-therapist is non-directive
attachment-based therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploration of past and
current relational attachments and trauma in environment of a healing, secure, and
reliable relationship
-therapist creates secure, accepting, caring, non-judgmental, reliable environment so
client feels comfortable sharing past traumas
-therapist acts as secure base
-goal is to improve quality of attachments with others, regulate emotions, and raise
awareness of client's problematic behavioral and emotional patterns
adlerian therapy - ANS--change occurs by increasing client's self-awareness, and
challenging and modifying their life goals and basic concepts
-therapist is accepting, encouraging, respectful, optimistic, collaborative, builds trust,
and co-thinker
-goals are to increase social interests and sense of belonging
, depth psychology therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploring and integrating
material from both unconscious and conscious levels of understanding (i.e. dreams,
images, symptoms, intuitions)
-client and therapist form a critical alliance
-goals are to increase self-awareness and inner wisdom
Bowen family therapy - ANS--change occurs by understanding multigenerational
dynamics and differentiation
-therapist is neutral, investigator, coach/educator
-goals are to reduce emotional turmoil in family system, improve communication, reduce
emotional reactivity, facilitate detriangulation, decrease recurrence of dysfunctional
patterns, increase self-differentiation in family context
general systems theory - ANS--change occurs by helping the system view the family as
the problem rather than an individual as the problem
-therapist helps family explore belief and values, expectations, family hierarchy,
rules/roles in family, and defense mechanisms
-goals are to identify conflicts, move family to equilibrium, and recognize defense
mechanisms that help deal with dysfunctional family behaviors/patterns
strategic therapy - ANS--change occurs through action-oriented directives and
paradoxical interventions
-therapist is direct to facilitate change, focus on problem solving/eliminating symptoms,
and has different approach for each person's presenting problem
-goal is to solve presenting problems and change dysfunctional patterns of interaction in
family
structural family therapy - ANS--change occurs through restructuring the family's
organization
-therapist is active and involved and helps family understand how family structure can
be changed
-goals are to change dysfunctional patterns, create flexible boundaries, and restructure
family system to allow for relief of symptoms and problem solving
satir communications therapy - ANS--change happens through self-awareness and
improved communication
-therapist is active facilitator, genuine, warm, honest, and direct
--goal is for client to increase congruent communication, improve self-esteem and
personal growth
gestalt - ANS-awareness of here and now
narrative - ANS-identify unique outcomes
psychodynamic - ANS-reparative experiences with therapist
Questions and Answers
CBT - ANS--change occurs by learning to modify dysfunctional thought patterns
-teach client coping skills and give homework to practice; therapist is a "teacher" that
helps clients understand how negative thoughts affect mood and behavior
rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) - ANS--change occurs through changing
irrational beliefs to rational beliefs, which improve clients' emotional and behavioral
functioning
-therapist is directive, confrontational and acts as an instructor to help client alter
thinking patterns to overcome psychological issues/mental distress
reality therapy - ANS--change occurs through identifying and meetings needs, and
developing satisfying interpersonal relationships
-therapist creates nurturing environment; non-judgmental, supportive, patient coach
DBT - ANS--change happens through mindfulness, developing skills to manage distress
tolerance and emotional regulation, and improving interpersonal problem solving skills
-therapist is an ally and coach, validates and offers alternatives
client-centered therapy - ANS--change occurs through creating conditions for the client
to grow through the therapeutic relationship and with genuineness, unconditional
positive regard, and empathy
-therapist is non-directive
attachment-based therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploration of past and
current relational attachments and trauma in environment of a healing, secure, and
reliable relationship
-therapist creates secure, accepting, caring, non-judgmental, reliable environment so
client feels comfortable sharing past traumas
-therapist acts as secure base
-goal is to improve quality of attachments with others, regulate emotions, and raise
awareness of client's problematic behavioral and emotional patterns
adlerian therapy - ANS--change occurs by increasing client's self-awareness, and
challenging and modifying their life goals and basic concepts
-therapist is accepting, encouraging, respectful, optimistic, collaborative, builds trust,
and co-thinker
-goals are to increase social interests and sense of belonging
, depth psychology therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploring and integrating
material from both unconscious and conscious levels of understanding (i.e. dreams,
images, symptoms, intuitions)
-client and therapist form a critical alliance
-goals are to increase self-awareness and inner wisdom
Bowen family therapy - ANS--change occurs by understanding multigenerational
dynamics and differentiation
-therapist is neutral, investigator, coach/educator
-goals are to reduce emotional turmoil in family system, improve communication, reduce
emotional reactivity, facilitate detriangulation, decrease recurrence of dysfunctional
patterns, increase self-differentiation in family context
general systems theory - ANS--change occurs by helping the system view the family as
the problem rather than an individual as the problem
-therapist helps family explore belief and values, expectations, family hierarchy,
rules/roles in family, and defense mechanisms
-goals are to identify conflicts, move family to equilibrium, and recognize defense
mechanisms that help deal with dysfunctional family behaviors/patterns
strategic therapy - ANS--change occurs through action-oriented directives and
paradoxical interventions
-therapist is direct to facilitate change, focus on problem solving/eliminating symptoms,
and has different approach for each person's presenting problem
-goal is to solve presenting problems and change dysfunctional patterns of interaction in
family
structural family therapy - ANS--change occurs through restructuring the family's
organization
-therapist is active and involved and helps family understand how family structure can
be changed
-goals are to change dysfunctional patterns, create flexible boundaries, and restructure
family system to allow for relief of symptoms and problem solving
satir communications therapy - ANS--change happens through self-awareness and
improved communication
-therapist is active facilitator, genuine, warm, honest, and direct
--goal is for client to increase congruent communication, improve self-esteem and
personal growth
gestalt - ANS-awareness of here and now
narrative - ANS-identify unique outcomes
psychodynamic - ANS-reparative experiences with therapist
