MFT License Exam- DSM 5: AMFTRB
EXAM: DSM DX EXAM
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
(Ans – a disorder that appears in childhood ( between 0-5 ) and is marked
by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, and by
rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors. ( i.e. Infant not making eye
contact, child not participating in companion play or very limited, repetitive
speech, hand flapping, difficulty with transitions, and hypo/hyper sensitivity
to sensory input)
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
(Ans –
Persistent difficulties and impairment in the social use of verbal and
nonverbal communication
Specific Learning Disorder
(Ans –
difficulties in the acquisition, learning and use of listening, speaking,
reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities (basic academic
skills). R/O ADHD because some children present with behavioral issues
when having difficulty learning
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
(Ans –
a disorder marked by the appearance of one or more of the key symptoms:
inattentive (difficulty focusing, completing on tasks at hand, organization,
often interrupts others), hyperactivity and impulsivity ( fidgets, can’t stay
still, moves a lot on their seats, in constant need of physical stimulation)
before the age of 12 in 2 or more context (school, home, work, etc.)
Pica
(Ans – persistent eating of nonnutritive, nonfood substances
Rumination Disorder
(Ans – repeated regurgitation of food not related to any other disorder or
condition
Language Disorder
(Ans – difficulty forming/building a vocabulary resulting in very simple
sentence formation (less than 5 words) and limit sentence structure.
Symptoms present between 0-5 years.
Child Onset Fluency Disorder
(Ans – stuttering (long pause between 2 syllable words and/or repeated
sound or syllable). Symptoms present between 0-5 years old.
Tourette’s Disorder
(Ans – extreme tic disorder involving uncontrollable multiple motor and
vocal patterns
Persistent Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder
(Ans – single motor or vocal tics, persistent for at least 1 year, and with
onset before age 18
Encopresis
(Ans – the repeated elimination of feces on or into inappropriate places
such as the floor or clothing by someone over age 4
Enuresis
(Ans – involuntary urination by someone over age 5
Separation Anxiety Disorder
(Ans – Anxiety specific to separation from their attachment figure, including
anticipatory anxiety). For children, symptoms must be present for 4 weeks
MFT Models Study Guide
Bowen theorist
(AnsMurray Bowen
Michael Kerr
Bowen concepts
(Ans-
▪anxiety
▪differentiation
▪emotional cut off
▪emotional systems
▪family projection process ▪functional level of depreciation ▪Fusion
▪multi-generational transmission process
▪nuclear family promotional system
▪sibling position
▪ triangulation
Bowen dysfunction
(Ans-
▪lack of differentiation results in marital conflict, dysfunction in a spouse, or
symptoms of dysfunction in one or more children
Bowen change
(Ans-
▪increasing the ability to distinguish between thinking and feeling within self
and others. Use this skill to direct one’s life and solve problems
Bowen stages
(Ans-
▪emphasize extended family.
▪Entire family need not to be present.
▪use of genogram.
▪Reduce anxiety
▪increase differentiation.
▪Open communication, resolve triangles.
Bowen stance
(Ans-
▪neutral
▪objective
▪coach
Bowen methods
(Ans-
▪process over content
▪genogram
▪”I” position
▪Detriangulation
▪create therapy triangle
▪often long-term
Bowen assessments
(Ans-
▪self reports.
▪Level of differentiation – use of scale.
▪degree of cut off.
▪Level of family anxiety and reactivity.
▪Triangles.
Contextual theorist
(Ans- Ivan Boszormenri-Nagy
Contextual concepts
(Ans-
▪destructive entitlement. ▪entitlement
▪ exoneration
▪Justice/fairness
▪Ledger
▪Legacy
▪loyalty (filial and invisible)
▪Merit
▪multi-directional partiality, ▪parentification,
▪relational determinants (facts, individual, psychology, Behavioral
transaction, relational ethics) ▪revolving slate
▪trustworthiness
Contextual dysfunction
(Ans-
▪the trustworthiness of relationships breaks down because fairness, caring
and accountability are absent
Contextual change
(Ans-
▪a preventative plan for current and future generation.
▪Restore people’s capacity to give thru fair relating and trust
Contextual stages
(Ans-
▪unit of treatment is chosen by therapist
▪engagement
▪cognitive exploration of family history
▪alter perceptions
▪expand trust to increase options
Contextual stance
(Ans-
▪active
▪personal
▪co-therapy relational balances, ▪Catalyst
▪advocate for all
MFT National Exam Study Guide
Who is the founder of Bowenian therapy?
(Ans- Murray Bowen & James Framo (follower, although some argue he is
more object-relations, he feels he is transgenerational)
Which theory focuses on ledgers and balances?
(Ans- Contextual therapy
Who created the rubber fence theory?
(Ans- Wynn
Who created the term garage mechanic?
(Ans- Carl Whitaker
What is the emphasis in Bowenian therapy?
(Ans- Differentiation of self
What is Bowen’s differentiation of self defined?
(Ans- refers to the autonomy of function which results in being less reactive
to family systems dynamics and other members emotional states; the
extent to which they have learned to manage emotionality.
what is the core problem in Bowenian theory?
(Ans- triangles and emotional reactivity
what are Bowenian’s key techniques?
(Ans- genogram and process questions
who are the founders of experiential therapy?
(Ans- Virginia Satir & Carl Whitaker
What is the emphasis in experiential therapy?
(Ans- authenticity and self-actualization
what is the core problem in experiential therapy?
(Ans- emotional suppression and mystification
what are key techniques used in experiential therapy?
(Ans- confrontation and structured exercises
who are the founders of solution-focused therapy?
(Ans- Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg
What is the emphasis in solution-focused therapy?
(Ans- language creates reality
What is the core problem in solution-focused therapy?
(Ans- problem talk
what are key techniques used in solution-focused therapy?
(Ans- focusing on solutions and identifying exceptions
who are the founders of strategic therapy?
(Ans- Don Jackson and Jay Haley
What is the emphasis in strategic therapy?
(Ans- homeostasis and feedback loops
what is the core problem in strategic therapy?
(Ans- more-of-the-same solutions
what are key techniques used in strategic therapy?
(Ans- reframing directives
who are the founders of psychodynamic therapy?
(Ans- Nathan Ackerman, Henry Dicks, and Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy
What is the emphasis in psychodynamic therapy?
(Ans- drives
self objects
internal objects
what are the core problems in psychodynamic therapy?
(Ansconflict
projective identification
fixation and regression
what are the key techniques used in psychodynamic therapy?
(Ans- silence and interpretation
who are the founders of narrative therapy?
(Ans- Michael White & David Epston
what is the emphasis in narrative therapy?
(Ans- Narrative theory & social constructionism
what is the core problem in narrative therapy?
(Ans- problem-saturated stories
What are key techniques used in narrative therapy?
(Ans- externalization, identifying unique outcomes, & creating audiences of
support
who are the founders of structural therapy?
(Ans- Salvador Minuchin
what is the emphasis in structural therapy?
(Ans- subsystems and boundaries
what is the core problem in structural therapy?
(Ans- enmeshment and disengagement
what are key techniques used in structural therapy?
(Ans- enactments and boundary making
who are the founders of cognitive behavioral therapy?
(Ans- Gerald Patterson, Robert Liberman, and Richard Stuart
what is the emphasis in cognitive behavioral therapy?
(Ans- reinforcement, extinction, and schemas
what is the core problem in cognitive behavioral therapy?
(Ans- inadvertent reinforcement and aversive control
what are key techniques used in cognitive behavioral therapy?
(Ans- functional analysis and teaching positive control
what theory emphasizes negative-feedback loops or cycles?
(Ans- Structural
what theory emphasizes positive-feedback cycles?
(Ans- strategic
what theory emphasizes the importance of structure in dysfunction?
(Ans- structural
what theory emphasizes the importance of maladaptive behavioral
sequences in dysfunction?
(Ans- strategic
what theory is straight-forward and confrontive?
(Ans- structural
what theory is indirect and non-confrontive?
(Ans- strategic
MFT LICENSING EXAM: STUDY GUIDE
ABC-X Family Crisis Model
(AnsRueben Hill’s model used to explain whether or not a stressful event would
result in crisis in some families but not in other’s.
A=stressor
B=family’s crisis- meeting resources
C=family’s definition of the stressor
X=the crisis
Accommodation
(Ans- Describes a variety of engagement techniques such as joining, used
principally by Structural Family Therapists in which the therapist adapts
themselves to the family’s style of interacting.
Acculturation
(Ans- The process by which immigrant group members adjust to the culture
of their new country.
Adaptability
(AnsTerm from Olson’s Circumflex Model, which is a measure of the families
ability to respond and adapt to changes in their lives. Also called
“flexibility”-families are rated at 4 levels:
- Rigid
- Structured
- Flexible
- Chaotic
Alliance
(Ans- Structural and Strategic Model Definition: a bond or affiliation
between 2 or more family members. Alliances differ from coalitions in that
they are generally within the subsystems and not hidden.
Domestic Violence Model Definition: Refers to the redemptive phase of the
abuse cycle, in which the perpetrator promises to never act violently again
and the victim agrees to participate in that goal and believes them,
continuing the cycle of abuse.
Antilibidinal Ego
(Ans- Objects-Relations Term defined as the part of the ego that is formed
from interactions with the rejecting object.
Antilibidinal System
(Ans- Object-Relations Term define as a repressed system within the ego
characterized by aggression, rage, and contempt.
“As If” Structure
(Ans- Symbolic-Experiential Term defined as family members are
encouraged to freely experiment “as if” they were in the role of the other, so
long as they understand that the role play is symbolic. The process allows
family members to alternately experiment and then return to their secure
roles.
Autopoetic (Autopoeisis) System
(Ans- Defined as a system that is self organizing and self maintaining,
such as biological and human systems. Can be described by second order
cybernetics. Term originated from Postmodern Chilean Biologist, Maturana.
Avoider
(Ans- SATIR EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: This is 1 of the 5 communication
styles developed by Satir (Experiential Therapy). The avoider tends to
distract others form potential conflict by acting helpless, weak, and lacking
an understanding.
Battle for Initiative
(Ans- WHITAKER EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: The Battle for Initiative follows
the Battle for Structure. Defined as the family taking back authority form the
therapist to make choices about what is discussed and about decisions that
affect their life.
Battle for Structure
(Ans- WHITAKER EXPERIENTIAL MODEL: The Battle for Structure is
when the therapist demands the family capitulate (give in to) to their way of
conducting the therapy, particularly during the initial stage of therapy. It is
followed by the next phase, Battle for Initiative.
Beavers-Timberlawn Model
(Ans- An assessment tool used to rate the dimensions of competence and
style in a family.
Competence Dimensions are:
- Adequate
- Optimal
- Midrange
- Borderline
- Severely Dysfunctional
Stylistic Dimensions are: - Centripetal
- Centrifugal
- Mixed
Behavioral Exchange Theory
(Ans- From Behavior Family Therapy. Defined as a way of describing
relationships in terms of costs and benefits. Functional relationships have
plentiful access to rewards and relatively few costs, while distressed
relationships have few rewards relative to the costs.
Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT)
(Ans- A theory and therapeutic model developed by PATERSON, REID
(and others). Based on principles of learning and behavior change. All
family members are seen as part of the problem, and symptoms are
reformulated into concrete observable behaviors, each of which will be
rewarded, or extinguished.
Behavioral Parent Training (Behavioral Family Therapy)
(Ans- A program for training parents in the use of contingency management
to modify, or extinguish unwanted behaviors and reinforce desirable
behaviors in children.
Bicultural
(Ans- People who belong to more then one culture and are able to alternate
between the two, adjusting temporarily to each, depending on the
circumstance.
Bilateral Pseudo Therapy (Ans- SYMBOLIC-EXPERIENTIAL: Defined as
the tendency in some families for members to be therapists to one another.
The Therapist demands the therapy be turned over to them, asserting the
family has failed in it’s efforts at self-therapy. (Goes along with Battle for
Structure and Battle for Initiative)
Bilateral Transference
(Ans- SYMBOLIC-EXPERIENTIAL: A therapeutic stance defined as the
therapist adopting the language, accent, rhythm, pr posture of the family.
Biobehavioral
(Ans- Defined as biological factors that influence behavior (example,
depression that is caused, in part, by faulty neurochemistry.
Bi-Modal Feedback Mechanism
(Ans- (Ashby) the rule-bound mechanism by which a system remains
unchanged so long as the internal or external environment is stable, but
when the fluctuation exceeds the range of stability the system must
respond in some new way. The system either breaks down or it makes a
leap into new levels of functioning. The change results in a new set of
patterns which, like the old pattern, is also bound by rules, and it, too,
remains unchanged, so long as the environment is stable.
AMFTRB National MFT Exam
Psuedomutality
(Ans- describes a systemic pretense of harmony and closeness that hides
conflict and interferes with intimacy (Lyman Wynne, 1940s)
Psuedohostility
(Ans- Arguing and bickering that hides “pathological alignments” in families
A volatile and intense way of disguising and distorting both affection and
splits
Prevents open communication and quality relationships (Lyman Wynne,
1940s)
Rubber-Fence Boundary
(Ans- Families are seemingly yielding, but are in fact nearly impermeable
to information from the outside; boundaries bind them together in their
resistance to separation” Appear open and flexible but are closed. (Lyman
Wynne, 1940s)
John Bowlby
(Ans- Attachment theory. Identified the characteristics of a child’s
attachment to his/her caregiver and the phases that a child experiences
when separated from the caregiver.
Different attachment styles (Bowlby, 1949)
(Ans-
- Secure Attachment
- Insecure Attachment (Anxious-Avoidant)
- Insecure Attachment (Ambivalent-Resistant)
- Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment
Theodore Lidz
(Ans- Professor out of Yale, researched schizophrenia and the marital
couple’s influence on the development of schizophrenia in a child (1950s)
-Marital Schism: Parents overly focused on their own problems which
harms the marriage, individuals, and the children.
-Marital Skew: One parent dominates the family and the other is
dependent.
“Family process” (peer-reviewed journal)
(Ans- Founded by Don Jackson and Nathan Ackerman, edited by Jay
Haley (1962)
Mental Research Institute (MRI)
(Ans- MRI; Mental Research Institute A center for the study of families in
Palo, Alto, CA whose researchers and practioners- Bateson, Jackson,
Satir, Weakland, Fry, and Haley studied schizophrenia and family
interactions, communication, and cybernetic theory. They emphasized
process and interactional sequences rather than structure, and
distinguished between first-order and second-order change. They
developed a version of Brief Family Therapy based on the notion that the
“problem” or tx focus, stems from the failed solution previously attempted
by the family.
Norbert Wiener
(Ans- Coined the term and theory “cybernetics”
General Systems Theory
(Ans- living systems are like cybernetic systems that are equipped w/
complex feed systems capable of maintaining a desired state of affairs (i.e.
homeostasis) → leads to Bowlby’s system of behavior control
Double bind theory
(Ans- distinct pattern of communication in which one individual receives
contradictory commands from which there is no escape (lose, lose
situation)
6 characteristic of a double bind
(Ans1) Communication involves 2 or more people who are involved in an
important emotional relationship.
2) The pattern of communication and the relationship is a repeated
experience.
3) The communication involves a primary negative injunction–or a
command not to do (some act) or not to NOT do (some act), either of which
come with a threat of punishment.
4) A second abstract injunction is given that contradicts the primary
injunction but at a more abstract level and is usually nonverbal. This also
occurs under the threat of punishment.
5) A third negative injunction both demands a response and prevents
escape, effectively binding the recipient to the environment in which these
patterns exist.
6) When the above double bind messages have been communicated
enough times, the individual has become conditioned which no longer
requires all of the above mentioned criteria to be present in order to elicit
the same intensity in response (panic, rage, schizophrenia).
Bertrand Russell
(Ans- Theory of Logical Types
Ludwig von Bertalanffy
(Ans- General Systems Theory
Milton Erickson
(Ans- Hypnosis and paradox
Gregory Bateson
(Ans- Human Communication Processes (influenced by Russell, Von
Bertalanffy, Wiener, Erickson)
Strategic Family Therapy
(Ans- Jay Haley
Emphasizes change techniques over theory. Influenced by Milton Erickson
Therapist is very directive, especially useful with change-resistant families
Techniques: Take charge role, directives, paradoxical directives, ordeals,
out-positioning, reframing
Milan Systemic Family Therapy
(Ans- A theory and therapeutic model influenced by Bateson and the MRI
Group, originally developed in Italy by Selvini Palazzoli, Boscolo, Cecchin,
and Prata. The primary techniques associated with the early Milan group
were rituals and positive connotations. The Milan Group split in the early
1980s with Selvini Palazzoli and Prata forming one group, adhering to the
strategic model and developing a ritualistic technique, invariant
prescription, to counteract the dirty game, or power struggle between the
parents and their child. Boscolo and Cecchin moved away from the
strategic approach, developing a collaborative style of therapy. In this
model, problems are maintained when the family holds to an old
epistemology that does not fit its current circumstance. The therapist
introduces new information indirectly by asking questions and the family
solves problems themselves as they develop a new epistemology. The
therapist/client interactions within the session are the treatment. In their
interviews they displayed a curious attitude about the family and the
meanings they derived from their experiences and interchanges.
General Systems Theory definition
(Ans- GST proposed that all living systems share universal characteristics.
Fundamental principle is idea that the whole of the system is more than the
sum of its parts. To understand the system as a whole, must understand
the dynamic, circular functioning between the parts.
Cybernetics
(Ans- the study of information processing, feedback, and control in
communication systems