MFT Ultimate Marital and Family Therapy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A therapist working with a blended family discovers the stepfather has no authority over the children due to the mother's protective stance. This boundary issue is best described as:
- Diffuse boundary
- Rigid boundary
- Disengaged subsystem
- Cross-generational coalition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cross-generational coalition
A cross-generational coalition forms when a parent and child align against a third party (here the stepfather), undermining the parental subsystem.
Question 2: In solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), the 'miracle question' is primarily used to:
- Uncover unconscious conflicts
- Help clients envision a future without the problem (Correct answer)
- Assign behavioral homework
- Challenge cognitive distortions
Correct answer: Help clients envision a future without the problem
The miracle question invites clients to imagine how life would look if the problem were solved overnight, helping define therapeutic goals.
Question 3: Which ethical principle is most directly at stake when an MFT must decide whether to share information disclosed by one spouse in an individual session with the other spouse in conjoint therapy?
- Beneficence
- Nonmaleficence
- Confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Confidentiality
Confidentiality governs how information disclosed by individuals in a multi-client context is handled, making it the primary ethical concern in this scenario.
Question 4: According to Bowen theory, during periods of high anxiety a family will most likely:
- Increase differentiation of self
- Move toward individuation
- Increase triangulation (Correct answer)
- Reduce enmeshment
Correct answer: Increase triangulation
Bowen theory holds that anxiety causes families to triangle in a third person to stabilize the two-person system and reduce emotional intensity.
Question 5: A family therapist uses a genogram to reveal a multigenerational pattern of alcoholism. This assessment tool is most associated with:
- Strategic therapy
- Bowen Family Systems Theory (Correct answer)
- Narrative therapy
- Experiential therapy
Correct answer: Bowen Family Systems Theory
Genograms are a key assessment tool in Bowen Family Systems Theory for mapping multigenerational patterns of behavior, relationships, and illness.
Question 6: When a therapist uses 'positive connotation' to label a problematic behavior as protective or helpful, this technique is rooted in which model?
- Milan Systemic Therapy (Correct answer)
- Structural Family Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy
Correct answer: Milan Systemic Therapy
Positive connotation is a core Milan technique that reframes symptoms as serving a protective function within the family system.
Question 7: An MFT is mandated to report suspected child abuse. The therapist should:
- First consult a supervisor to confirm clinical judgment before reporting
- Report immediately to the appropriate child protective authority (Correct answer)
- Confront the family and give them a chance to explain before filing
- Seek a release of information from the parents before reporting
Correct answer: Report immediately to the appropriate child protective authority
Mandatory reporting laws require MFTs to report suspected child abuse directly to authorities without delay, regardless of family consent or supervisor consultation.
MFT Ultimate Marital and Family Therapy 3
A therapist working with a blended family discovers the stepfather has no authority over the children due to the mother's protective stance.
This boundary issue is best described as: