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.