MFT Couples Therapy 3

Question 1

According to Gottman's Sound Relationship House theory, 'turning toward' bids for connection is most closely associated with which floor of the house?

Accepted Answer

Responding to bids for emotional connection

Answer

Shared meaning

Answer

Trust and commitment

Answer

Emotional bank account and fondness/admiration

Question 2

A couple reports low sexual frequency. One partner was raised in a religious household with shame around sexuality. The most clinically appropriate first step is:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough sexual history and explore each partner's sexual scripts

Answer

Prescribe sensate focus exercises immediately

Answer

Refer to a sex therapist without further assessment

Answer

Normalize the pattern as a common result of relationship aging

Question 3

In Structural Family Therapy applied to couples, the concept of 'enmeshment' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Diffuse boundaries where partners have lost individual autonomy and identity

Answer

Rigid boundaries that prevent adequate emotional contact between partners

Answer

Hierarchical inversions where the couple defers to extended family

Answer

Triangulation of children into marital conflict

Question 4

A therapist notices that whenever one partner raises a complaint, the other immediately launches a counter-complaint. This pattern is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Cross-complaining or counter-attacking

Answer

Stonewalling

Answer

Belligerence

Answer

Contempt

Question 5

Which approach to couples therapy uses 'enactments' as a primary in-session technique?

Accepted Answer

Structural Family Therapy

Answer

Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT)

Answer

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Answer

Gottman Method

Question 6

A couple in therapy discloses that one partner had an affair 2 years ago. The betrayed partner continues to bring it up during conflicts. The therapist's priority should be:

Accepted Answer

Assess whether both partners are committed to rebuilding trust before proceeding

Answer

Redirect the couple away from the affair to present-day communication skills

Answer

Immediately refer the couple for individual therapy before couples work

Answer

Focus on the betraying partner's attachment wounds that caused the affair

Question 7

In Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT), 'unified detachment' is a technique designed to:

Accepted Answer

Help partners observe their conflict pattern from a calm, descriptive distance without blame

Answer

Teach partners to detach emotionally from each other to reduce dependency

Answer

Increase acceptance of each other's negative behaviors through distancing

Answer

Reduce emotional reactivity by suppressing emotional expression during conflict

MFT Couples Therapy 3

What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for MFT

Sources & references