California MFT Exam: Core Theories and Models-
Questions with Correct solutions
What is the systems perspective in MFT?
People are understood in relational systems, not in isolation. Focus shifts from "What is wrong
with this person?" to "What is happening in their relationships?"
What is circular causality?
Behaviors influence each other in loops rather than one cause leading to one effect.
What is Bowen Family Systems Theory focused on?
The family as an emotional unit and patterns passed across generations.
Key Bowen concept: differentiation of self
Ability to separate thoughts from emotions and maintain autonomy within relationships.
What happens when someone has low differentiation?
They become emotionally reactive and overly dependent on approval.
Bowen concept: multigenerational transmission process
Emotional and behavioral patterns are passed down across generations.
Bowen therapy goal
Increase self-awareness, manage anxiety, and change patterns by examining family history.
Founder of Structural Family Therapy
Salvador Minuchin
, Structural Family Therapy focuses on what?
Family structure, hierarchy, boundaries, and subsystems.
What is parentification?
When a child takes on the role of a parent, indicating structural imbalance.
Key SFT techniques
Joining, mapping family structure, enactments, boundary setting.
What are enactments in SFT?
Having the family act out interactions in session to reveal patterns.
Founder figures of Strategic Family Therapy
Jay Haley and the Milan Group
Strategic therapy focuses on what?
Changing problematic behaviors using planned interventions.
Strategic therapy view of problems
Maintained by power dynamics and feedback loops in family patterns.
One hallmark of Strategic therapy techniques
Paradoxical interventions.
Founders of Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg
Questions with Correct solutions
What is the systems perspective in MFT?
People are understood in relational systems, not in isolation. Focus shifts from "What is wrong
with this person?" to "What is happening in their relationships?"
What is circular causality?
Behaviors influence each other in loops rather than one cause leading to one effect.
What is Bowen Family Systems Theory focused on?
The family as an emotional unit and patterns passed across generations.
Key Bowen concept: differentiation of self
Ability to separate thoughts from emotions and maintain autonomy within relationships.
What happens when someone has low differentiation?
They become emotionally reactive and overly dependent on approval.
Bowen concept: multigenerational transmission process
Emotional and behavioral patterns are passed down across generations.
Bowen therapy goal
Increase self-awareness, manage anxiety, and change patterns by examining family history.
Founder of Structural Family Therapy
Salvador Minuchin
, Structural Family Therapy focuses on what?
Family structure, hierarchy, boundaries, and subsystems.
What is parentification?
When a child takes on the role of a parent, indicating structural imbalance.
Key SFT techniques
Joining, mapping family structure, enactments, boundary setting.
What are enactments in SFT?
Having the family act out interactions in session to reveal patterns.
Founder figures of Strategic Family Therapy
Jay Haley and the Milan Group
Strategic therapy focuses on what?
Changing problematic behaviors using planned interventions.
Strategic therapy view of problems
Maintained by power dynamics and feedback loops in family patterns.
One hallmark of Strategic therapy techniques
Paradoxical interventions.
Founders of Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg
