LMFT EXAM UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
ABC-X Family Crisis Model - CORRECT ANSWER - Reuben Hill's model used to
explain whether a stressful event would result in a crisis in some families but not others. A=the
stressor, B=the family's crisis-meeting resources, C=the family's definition of the stressor, and
X= the crisis
Accommodation - CORRECT ANSWER - Describes a variety of engagement techniques,
such as joining, used principally by structural therapists in which the therapist adapts him/herself
to the family's style of interacting
Acculturation - CORRECT ANSWER - The process by which immigrant group members
adjust to the culture of their new country
Adaptability - CORRECT ANSWER - From Olson's Circumplex Model, a measure of the
family's ability to respond and adapt to changes in their lives. Also called "flexibility." Families
are rated at four levels: rigid, structured, flexible, and chaotic.
Alliance - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. In the structural and strategic models, a bond or
affiliation between two or more family members. Differs from a coalition in that it is generally
within a subsystem and not hidden.
2. In DV lit, refers to the redemptive phase of the abuse cycle, in which the perpetrator promises
never to act violently again and the victim agrees to participate in that goal.
Allopoetic Systems - CORRECT ANSWER - Originated by postmodern Chilean biologist
Humberto Maturana, systems that can be controlled from the outside, such as machines
Analogic Communication - CORRECT ANSWER - Communication that is rich in content
and little structure, ex. kinetic family drawing
,Analysis of Variance- ANOVA - CORRECT ANSWER - Method of statistical analysis that
enables researchers to determine the likelihood that a variable being measured (dependent
variable) is associated with a second variable (independent variable) by chance alone. If the
deviation (variance) from the norm (frequency of association expected by chance alone) is
sufficiently large, the variables are likely to be causally related.
Antilibidinal Ego - CORRECT ANSWER - From object relations theory, the part of the
ego that is formed from interactions with the relating object.
Anorgasmia - CORRECT ANSWER - Also called Coughlan's syndrome, is a type of
sexual dysfunction in which a person cannot achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. In
males, it is most closely associated with delayed ejaculation. Far more common in females
(4.7%) and is greater in post-menopause.
Antilibidnal System - CORRECT ANSWER - From object relations theory, a repressed
system within the ego characterized by aggression, rage, and contempt.
As If Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - From symbolic-experiential therapy, 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 return to their secure roles.
Autopoetic Systems - CORRECT ANSWER - Originated by postmodern Chilean biologist
Humberto Maturana, systems that are self-organizing and self-maintaining, such as biological
and human systems. Can be described as second order cybernetics.
Avoider - CORRECT ANSWER - From Satir's experiential family therapy, one of the five
communication styles. The avoider tends to distract others from potential conflict by acting
helpless, weak, and lacking an understanding.
Basic Self - CORRECT ANSWER - Bowen, this concept consists of the beliefs and
convictions held by the person. People at the higher end of the differentiation scale have more of
a basic self than do those at the lower end. They have formed their own beliefs and tend to be
clear about the difference between what they think and how they feel.
, Balancing Power - CORRECT ANSWER - Equalizing access to power in a couple that is
overly organized by a hierarchy
Battle for Initiative - CORRECT ANSWER - Whitaker( symbolic-experiential therapy),
follows the battle for structure. The family takes back from the therapist its authority to makes
choices about what is discussed and the decisions that affect their lives.
Battle for Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - Whitaker, the therapist's demand that the
family capitulate to his/her way of conducting therapy, particularly during initial stages.
Beavers-Timberlawn Model - CORRECT ANSWER - An assessment tool used to rate the
dimensions of competence and style in a family's functioning. Competence dimensions are:
adequate, optimal, midrange, borderline, and severely dysfunctional. Stylistic dimensions are:
centripetal, centrifugal, and mixed.
Behavioral Exchange Theory - CORRECT ANSWER - From behavioral family therapy, 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 a scarcity
of rewards relative to costs.
Behavioral Family Therapy - CORRECT ANSWER - A theory and therapeutic model
developed by Patterson, Reid, and others, based on principles of learning and behavior change.
In BFT, all family members are seen as part of the problem and symptoms are reformulated into
concrete observable behaviors, each of which will either be rewarded or extinguished.
Behavioral Parent Training - CORRECT ANSWER - A program for training parents in the
use of contingency management to modify or extinguish unwanted behaviors and reinforce
desirable behaviors in children
Bilateral Transference - CORRECT ANSWER - A therapeutic stance in symbolic-
experiential therapy in which the therapist adopts the language, accent, rhythm, or posture of the
family
Questions and CORRECT Answers
ABC-X Family Crisis Model - CORRECT ANSWER - Reuben Hill's model used to
explain whether a stressful event would result in a crisis in some families but not others. A=the
stressor, B=the family's crisis-meeting resources, C=the family's definition of the stressor, and
X= the crisis
Accommodation - CORRECT ANSWER - Describes a variety of engagement techniques,
such as joining, used principally by structural therapists in which the therapist adapts him/herself
to the family's style of interacting
Acculturation - CORRECT ANSWER - The process by which immigrant group members
adjust to the culture of their new country
Adaptability - CORRECT ANSWER - From Olson's Circumplex Model, a measure of the
family's ability to respond and adapt to changes in their lives. Also called "flexibility." Families
are rated at four levels: rigid, structured, flexible, and chaotic.
Alliance - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. In the structural and strategic models, a bond or
affiliation between two or more family members. Differs from a coalition in that it is generally
within a subsystem and not hidden.
2. In DV lit, refers to the redemptive phase of the abuse cycle, in which the perpetrator promises
never to act violently again and the victim agrees to participate in that goal.
Allopoetic Systems - CORRECT ANSWER - Originated by postmodern Chilean biologist
Humberto Maturana, systems that can be controlled from the outside, such as machines
Analogic Communication - CORRECT ANSWER - Communication that is rich in content
and little structure, ex. kinetic family drawing
,Analysis of Variance- ANOVA - CORRECT ANSWER - Method of statistical analysis that
enables researchers to determine the likelihood that a variable being measured (dependent
variable) is associated with a second variable (independent variable) by chance alone. If the
deviation (variance) from the norm (frequency of association expected by chance alone) is
sufficiently large, the variables are likely to be causally related.
Antilibidinal Ego - CORRECT ANSWER - From object relations theory, the part of the
ego that is formed from interactions with the relating object.
Anorgasmia - CORRECT ANSWER - Also called Coughlan's syndrome, is a type of
sexual dysfunction in which a person cannot achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. In
males, it is most closely associated with delayed ejaculation. Far more common in females
(4.7%) and is greater in post-menopause.
Antilibidnal System - CORRECT ANSWER - From object relations theory, a repressed
system within the ego characterized by aggression, rage, and contempt.
As If Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - From symbolic-experiential therapy, 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 return to their secure roles.
Autopoetic Systems - CORRECT ANSWER - Originated by postmodern Chilean biologist
Humberto Maturana, systems that are self-organizing and self-maintaining, such as biological
and human systems. Can be described as second order cybernetics.
Avoider - CORRECT ANSWER - From Satir's experiential family therapy, one of the five
communication styles. The avoider tends to distract others from potential conflict by acting
helpless, weak, and lacking an understanding.
Basic Self - CORRECT ANSWER - Bowen, this concept consists of the beliefs and
convictions held by the person. People at the higher end of the differentiation scale have more of
a basic self than do those at the lower end. They have formed their own beliefs and tend to be
clear about the difference between what they think and how they feel.
, Balancing Power - CORRECT ANSWER - Equalizing access to power in a couple that is
overly organized by a hierarchy
Battle for Initiative - CORRECT ANSWER - Whitaker( symbolic-experiential therapy),
follows the battle for structure. The family takes back from the therapist its authority to makes
choices about what is discussed and the decisions that affect their lives.
Battle for Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - Whitaker, the therapist's demand that the
family capitulate to his/her way of conducting therapy, particularly during initial stages.
Beavers-Timberlawn Model - CORRECT ANSWER - An assessment tool used to rate the
dimensions of competence and style in a family's functioning. Competence dimensions are:
adequate, optimal, midrange, borderline, and severely dysfunctional. Stylistic dimensions are:
centripetal, centrifugal, and mixed.
Behavioral Exchange Theory - CORRECT ANSWER - From behavioral family therapy, 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 a scarcity
of rewards relative to costs.
Behavioral Family Therapy - CORRECT ANSWER - A theory and therapeutic model
developed by Patterson, Reid, and others, based on principles of learning and behavior change.
In BFT, all family members are seen as part of the problem and symptoms are reformulated into
concrete observable behaviors, each of which will either be rewarded or extinguished.
Behavioral Parent Training - CORRECT ANSWER - A program for training parents in the
use of contingency management to modify or extinguish unwanted behaviors and reinforce
desirable behaviors in children
Bilateral Transference - CORRECT ANSWER - A therapeutic stance in symbolic-
experiential therapy in which the therapist adopts the language, accent, rhythm, or posture of the
family
