MFT Ultimate Marital and Family Therapy 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Gottman Method Couples Therapy, which of the following is NOT one of the 'Four Horsemen' predictors of relationship failure?
- Criticism
- Contempt
- Avoidance (Correct answer)
- Stonewalling
Correct answer: Avoidance
The Four Horsemen are criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling; avoidance is not part of this framework.
Question 2: A therapist working with a same-sex couple who want to adopt should be aware that affirmative practice requires:
- Remaining neutral on all LGBTQ+ social issues to avoid bias
- Actively affirming the couple's identity and validating their family structure (Correct answer)
- Referring the couple to a specialist in LGBTQ+ adoption law
- Avoiding discussion of minority stress to keep sessions positive
Correct answer: Actively affirming the couple's identity and validating their family structure
Affirmative practice requires MFTs to actively validate LGBTQ+ identities and family structures, moving beyond mere tolerance to active affirmation.
Question 3: A strategic therapist assigns a couple the task of scheduling their argument for a specific time each evening. This intervention is an example of:
- Paradoxical directive (Correct answer)
- Systematic desensitization
- Behavioral activation
- Cognitive restructuring
Correct answer: Paradoxical directive
Prescribing the symptom (scheduling the argument) is a paradoxical directive that disrupts the spontaneous pattern and gives the couple control over it.
Question 4: According to Virginia Satir's experiential model, dysfunctional communication patterns (placating, blaming, computing, distracting) arise primarily from:
- Insecure attachment in infancy
- Low self-esteem and fear of rejection (Correct answer)
- Unresolved multigenerational trauma
- Neurological deficits in affect regulation
Correct answer: Low self-esteem and fear of rejection
Satir believed that problematic communication stances are defensive strategies rooted in low self-worth and fear that authentic expression will lead to rejection.
Question 5: When an MFT works with a family from a collectivist culture, which adaptation is most appropriate?
- Insist on individual autonomy goals as they are universally healthy
- Explore and respect interdependence and family hierarchy as cultural strengths (Correct answer)
- Avoid discussing family roles to prevent reinforcing cultural stereotypes
- Use only evidence-based Western models to ensure fidelity
Correct answer: Explore and respect interdependence and family hierarchy as cultural strengths
Cultural competence requires MFTs to recognize interdependence and hierarchical family structures as strengths in collectivist cultures rather than pathologizing them.
Question 6: A family therapist is subpoenaed to testify in a custody case involving a client family. The therapist's best initial course of action is to:
- Comply fully with all court requests immediately
- Immediately notify and consult with a licensed attorney (Correct answer)
- Refuse on the grounds of therapeutic privilege
- Contact the opposing attorney to clarify the scope of testimony
Correct answer: Immediately notify and consult with a licensed attorney
When subpoenaed, the therapist's first step is to consult with an attorney to understand legal obligations and how to protect client confidentiality within the law.
Question 7: In Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, the goal of accessing the 'Self' is to enable the therapist and client to:
- Merge conflicting subpersonalities into one dominant identity
- Lead healing from a place of calm, curiosity, and compassion (Correct answer)
- Identify and eliminate the most destructive internal parts
- Strengthen the superego to manage impulsive parts
Correct answer: Lead healing from a place of calm, curiosity, and compassion
In IFS, the Self is the core of a person characterized by the 8 Cs (calm, curiosity, compassion, etc.) and serves as the internal leader that heals wounded parts.
MFT Ultimate Marital and Family Therapy 5
In Gottman Method Couples Therapy, which of the following is NOT one of the 'Four Horsemen' predictors of relationship failure?