Marital and Family Therapy Flashcards
7 cards from real MFT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Marital and Family Therapy flashcards as text
In Bowen Family Systems Theory, 'differentiation of self' refers to a person's ability to:
Answer: Maintain a clear sense of self while remaining emotionally connected to others
Differentiation of self means balancing emotional connection with others while maintaining one's own identity and values.
A couple in therapy repeatedly argues about the same issue without resolution. From an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) perspective, this cycle is best understood as:
Answer: An underlying attachment need driving pursue-withdraw patterns
EFT views repetitive conflict cycles as expressions of unmet attachment needs, typically manifesting as pursue-withdraw patterns.
Which ethical principle requires an MFT to disclose the limits of confidentiality at the outset of therapy?
Answer: Informed consent
Informed consent requires therapists to explain confidentiality limits (e.g., duty to warn, mandated reporting) before treatment begins.
In Structural Family Therapy, an 'enmeshed' subsystem is characterized by:
Answer: Diffuse boundaries that result in loss of individual autonomy
Enmeshment involves diffuse boundaries where members are overly intertwined, reducing individual autonomy and independence.
A therapist notices that their own unresolved marital issues are affecting their neutrality with a couple. This is best described as:
Answer: Countertransference
Countertransference occurs when the therapist's personal experiences or emotions interfere with their objectivity in the therapeutic relationship.
The MFT technique of 'enactment' is primarily used to:
Answer: Observe family interaction patterns in the therapy room in real time
Enactment involves having family members interact with each other in session so the therapist can observe and intervene in live patterns.
According to the AAMFT Code of Ethics, an MFT who suspects child abuse is required to:
Answer: Report to appropriate authorities as a mandated reporter
MFTs are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse to appropriate authorities regardless of client consent.