CTC Family Systems & Trauma Recovery 3

Question 1

A grandmother who experienced war-related trauma has never disclosed this to her family. Her grandchildren show anxiety and hypervigilance with no identified cause. This is best explained by:

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic and narrative transmission of intergenerational trauma

Answer

Intergenerational trauma transmission occurs through both epigenetic mechanisms and unspoken family narratives, affecting descendants who have no direct exposure to the original trauma.

Question 2

In Contextual Family Therapy (Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy), the concept of 'invisible loyalties' in trauma families refers to:

Accepted Answer

Children unconsciously repeating parental trauma patterns out of family loyalty

Answer

Invisible loyalties describe how children unconsciously honor parents or ancestors by repeating their struggles, perpetuating trauma patterns across generations.

Question 3

A CTC consultant working with a family in trauma recovery identifies that the eldest child manages all household responsibilities and mediates parental conflict. This role is called:

Accepted Answer

Parentification

Answer

Parentification occurs when a child assumes adult responsibilities, often as a response to parental incapacity due to trauma, substance use, or mental illness.

Question 4

Which phase of family trauma recovery focuses on rebuilding safety, predictability, and routine within the family system?

Accepted Answer

Stabilization and safety

Answer

Stabilization is the foundational phase of trauma recovery that establishes the safety and predictability necessary before any trauma processing can occur.

Question 5

A trauma consultant observes that family members avoid discussing a deceased relative who died by suicide. From a family systems perspective, this silence most likely:

Accepted Answer

Creates a toxic secret that distorts family communication and identity

Answer

Unspoken family secrets around traumatic loss create communication distortions, shame, and identity confusion that impair healing across generations.

(CTC) Childhood Trauma Consultant Certified Practice Test

(CTC) Childhood Trauma Consultant Certified Practice Test

CTC Family Systems & Trauma Recovery 3