MFT National Exam: Sample
Questions and Answers
Out of earshot of Dad, Mom points out one of his parenting inadequacies to the
children. From a Contextual Family Therapy perspective, Mom's actions are evidence
for - ANS-split filial loyalty
Bob (45) and Marianne (38) argue about what is the proper age for their daughter Jill
(14) to begin dating. Jill hears the fighting and enters the room. Marianne draws Jill into
the argument to side with her against Bob. From a Bowen Systems perspective, what
has occurred? - ANS-triangulation
Creation of a sufficient holding environment is a critical part of which theoretical
approach? - ANS-Object Relations
Which theory believes that relative birth order is significant in determining specific
characteristics? - ANS-Bowen Systems
Bill (50) and Alexandria (43) present for therapy because their son Ralph (13) has
developed school phobia. The phobia emerged after a trial separation between Bill and
Alexandria. Bill moved back into the home when it became apparent that the only way
to get Ralph to attend school was with both parents working together to help him. From
Bozormenyi-Nagy's perspective, this is an example of - ANS-invisible loyalties
Jonathan (47) and Samantha (46) present for help with their daughter Michelle (12) who
has a history of depression. The family has also recently moved and Michelle will be
entering a new high school this fall. The family spends some time animatedly describing
recent events in their lives that they believe deepened Michelle's depression. The
conversation begins to wind down. An Object Relations therapist would be most likely to
- ANS-request details of their earlier histories
The following therapist is most associated with multigenerational process of
psychopathology - ANS-Bowen
Introjection can only be detected by - ANS-trained therapists
Milan systemic therapy differs from Haley's strategic in that - ANS-systemic therapy
helps families to understand the meaning of the symptoms, while strategic just changes
the pattern
, In Strategic Therapy, when first starting out with a family in therapy, it is important to -
ANS-adjust your style to the family's, paying close attention to both verbal and non-
verbal cues as you attempt to engage with each member of the family.
The following theorist is most associated with power and control - ANS-Haley
Which model will sometimes use ordeals to alter symptom expression? - ANS-Strategic
According to MRI, all communication contains which of the following two levels of
functions? - ANS-report and command
A symptom carrier for family dysfunction or pathology is often referred to as - ANS-the
scapegoat
In the MRI version of brief therapy, it is essential to - ANS-identify the disabling
sequence of which the symptom is a vital part
Which theorist assumes that all problems presented to therapy result from the dilemma
between love and violence? - ANS-Chloe Madanas
Which of the following is NOT one of the five stages of the initial interview? Social
Stage, Engagement Stage, Problem Stage, Interaction Stage - ANS-engagement stage
Dr. J is seeing a family in which the husband and wife frequently argue in the bedroom.
In fact, the two argue while preparing for bed almost every night. Dr. J does not ask the
couple to attempt to stop their arguments, but directs them to only argue in the kitchen.
If an argument starts in the bedroom, they have to move to the kitchen to compete it. Dr.
J is using what technique? - ANS-manipulating the symptom
In addition, Dr J exaggerates the couple's arguments, calling the "battles" and
relationship threatening. He relates to the family is fears that these "battles" are headed
straight for the divorce court. Dr. J is most likely practicing from which theorist's model?
- ANS-Haley
Quid pro quo refers to a family or couple's tendency to take which stance? - ANS-If you
do X, I will do Y
Jane is struggling with insomnia. She's seeing a therapist who has instructed her that, if
she is not asleep with 30 minutes of going to bed, she must get up and mop and wax
her kitchen floor. This technique is known as - ANS-ordeal therapy
Jane doesn't like that intervention and goes to another therapist. This therapist tells
Jane she must attempt to stay awake at least three hours each night when she goes to
bed. This therapist is - ANS-targeting the attempted solution
Questions and Answers
Out of earshot of Dad, Mom points out one of his parenting inadequacies to the
children. From a Contextual Family Therapy perspective, Mom's actions are evidence
for - ANS-split filial loyalty
Bob (45) and Marianne (38) argue about what is the proper age for their daughter Jill
(14) to begin dating. Jill hears the fighting and enters the room. Marianne draws Jill into
the argument to side with her against Bob. From a Bowen Systems perspective, what
has occurred? - ANS-triangulation
Creation of a sufficient holding environment is a critical part of which theoretical
approach? - ANS-Object Relations
Which theory believes that relative birth order is significant in determining specific
characteristics? - ANS-Bowen Systems
Bill (50) and Alexandria (43) present for therapy because their son Ralph (13) has
developed school phobia. The phobia emerged after a trial separation between Bill and
Alexandria. Bill moved back into the home when it became apparent that the only way
to get Ralph to attend school was with both parents working together to help him. From
Bozormenyi-Nagy's perspective, this is an example of - ANS-invisible loyalties
Jonathan (47) and Samantha (46) present for help with their daughter Michelle (12) who
has a history of depression. The family has also recently moved and Michelle will be
entering a new high school this fall. The family spends some time animatedly describing
recent events in their lives that they believe deepened Michelle's depression. The
conversation begins to wind down. An Object Relations therapist would be most likely to
- ANS-request details of their earlier histories
The following therapist is most associated with multigenerational process of
psychopathology - ANS-Bowen
Introjection can only be detected by - ANS-trained therapists
Milan systemic therapy differs from Haley's strategic in that - ANS-systemic therapy
helps families to understand the meaning of the symptoms, while strategic just changes
the pattern
, In Strategic Therapy, when first starting out with a family in therapy, it is important to -
ANS-adjust your style to the family's, paying close attention to both verbal and non-
verbal cues as you attempt to engage with each member of the family.
The following theorist is most associated with power and control - ANS-Haley
Which model will sometimes use ordeals to alter symptom expression? - ANS-Strategic
According to MRI, all communication contains which of the following two levels of
functions? - ANS-report and command
A symptom carrier for family dysfunction or pathology is often referred to as - ANS-the
scapegoat
In the MRI version of brief therapy, it is essential to - ANS-identify the disabling
sequence of which the symptom is a vital part
Which theorist assumes that all problems presented to therapy result from the dilemma
between love and violence? - ANS-Chloe Madanas
Which of the following is NOT one of the five stages of the initial interview? Social
Stage, Engagement Stage, Problem Stage, Interaction Stage - ANS-engagement stage
Dr. J is seeing a family in which the husband and wife frequently argue in the bedroom.
In fact, the two argue while preparing for bed almost every night. Dr. J does not ask the
couple to attempt to stop their arguments, but directs them to only argue in the kitchen.
If an argument starts in the bedroom, they have to move to the kitchen to compete it. Dr.
J is using what technique? - ANS-manipulating the symptom
In addition, Dr J exaggerates the couple's arguments, calling the "battles" and
relationship threatening. He relates to the family is fears that these "battles" are headed
straight for the divorce court. Dr. J is most likely practicing from which theorist's model?
- ANS-Haley
Quid pro quo refers to a family or couple's tendency to take which stance? - ANS-If you
do X, I will do Y
Jane is struggling with insomnia. She's seeing a therapist who has instructed her that, if
she is not asleep with 30 minutes of going to bed, she must get up and mop and wax
her kitchen floor. This technique is known as - ANS-ordeal therapy
Jane doesn't like that intervention and goes to another therapist. This therapist tells
Jane she must attempt to stay awake at least three hours each night when she goes to
bed. This therapist is - ANS-targeting the attempted solution
