MFT Couples Therapy 4

Question 1

When a couple presents with one partner diagnosed with ADHD, which relational dynamic is MOST commonly reported?

Accepted Answer

The non-ADHD partner develops a parental/caretaker role, leading to resentment and loss of intimacy

Answer

Couples with one ADHD partner frequently develop a parent-child dynamic as the non-ADHD partner compensates for executive functioning deficits, which erodes romantic and sexual connection.

Question 2

A therapist is seeing a same-sex couple and applies heteronormative assumptions about gender roles. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Microaggression and affirmative therapy failure

Answer

Applying heteronormative frameworks to same-sex couples constitutes a microaggression and violates affirmative therapy principles, which require culturally responsive and non-assumptive practice.

Question 3

A couple reports that one partner is consistently dismissive of the other's emotional bids. According to Gottman, what is the long-term relational consequence of 'turning away' from bids?

Accepted Answer

Emotional bank account depletion and relationship dissolution risk

Answer

Consistently turning away from bids depletes the emotional bank account, which Gottman's research links to emotional disconnection and increased divorce risk.

Question 4

In the Developmental Model of couples therapy (Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson), the healthy progression from 'symbiosis' to 'differentiation' requires:

Accepted Answer

Each partner to develop a solid individual identity while maintaining the bond

Answer

The Developmental Model holds that healthy couples evolve from early symbiosis toward differentiation, where each partner can express a separate self within an intimate connection.

Question 5

Which of the following is a contraindication for conjoint couples therapy?

Accepted Answer

Active domestic violence with ongoing safety concerns

Answer

Active domestic violence is a primary contraindication for conjoint therapy because joint sessions can escalate danger, silence the victim, or reinforce the abuser's control.

MFT Exam Practice Test

MFT Exam Practice Test

MFT Couples Therapy 4