MFT National Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary goal of structural family therapy?
✔✔To reorganize family interactions and establish healthy boundaries.
How does a genogram assist in family therapy?
✔✔It provides a visual representation of family relationships and patterns across generations.
What is triangulation in family therapy?
✔✔When two family members involve a third to reduce tension or conflict.
What is the purpose of strategic interventions in therapy?
✔✔To interrupt dysfunctional patterns and promote behavioral change.
How does differentiation of self affect family dynamics?
✔✔Higher differentiation allows individuals to maintain their identity while staying emotionally
connected.
1
,What is the main focus of Bowenian family therapy?
✔✔Examining intergenerational patterns and promoting differentiation of self.
How does a therapist use reframing in therapy?
✔✔By changing the way a behavior or situation is interpreted to reduce negative emotions.
What is a common goal of emotion-focused family therapy?
✔✔To help family members express and regulate emotions constructively.
How does structural family therapy define boundaries?
✔✔As invisible lines that regulate interactions between family subsystems.
What is the role of a family sculpting exercise?
✔✔To help family members visually represent relationships and emotional dynamics.
What is a key concept in narrative therapy?
✔✔Externalizing problems to separate the issue from the person.
2
,Why is circular questioning used in family therapy?
✔✔To explore differences in perceptions and relational patterns among family members.
What is the primary goal of solution-focused therapy?
✔✔To identify solutions and build on family strengths rather than focusing on problems.
How does a therapist assess family roles?
✔✔By observing patterns of interaction, responsibilities, and power dynamics.
What is the impact of enmeshment on family functioning?
✔✔It reduces individual autonomy and can lead to emotional overdependence.
How is the concept of triangulation addressed in therapy?
✔✔By helping family members communicate directly and reduce reliance on a third party.
What is the purpose of assigning homework in family therapy?
✔✔To practice new skills and reinforce therapeutic insights outside sessions.
3
, How does systemic thinking influence therapy interventions?
✔✔It focuses on patterns and relationships rather than isolated behaviors.
What is the difference between family rules and norms?
✔✔Rules are explicit expectations, while norms are implicit patterns of behavior.
How does structural therapy address disengaged families?
✔✔By strengthening connections and promoting more effective interactions.
What is a common technique in cognitive-behavioral family therapy?
✔✔Identifying and modifying distorted thoughts that influence family behavior.
How does a therapist promote emotional regulation in family therapy?
✔✔By teaching skills to recognize, express, and manage emotions constructively.
What is the role of a family life cycle assessment?
✔✔To identify stress points and developmental challenges affecting family functioning.
4
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary goal of structural family therapy?
✔✔To reorganize family interactions and establish healthy boundaries.
How does a genogram assist in family therapy?
✔✔It provides a visual representation of family relationships and patterns across generations.
What is triangulation in family therapy?
✔✔When two family members involve a third to reduce tension or conflict.
What is the purpose of strategic interventions in therapy?
✔✔To interrupt dysfunctional patterns and promote behavioral change.
How does differentiation of self affect family dynamics?
✔✔Higher differentiation allows individuals to maintain their identity while staying emotionally
connected.
1
,What is the main focus of Bowenian family therapy?
✔✔Examining intergenerational patterns and promoting differentiation of self.
How does a therapist use reframing in therapy?
✔✔By changing the way a behavior or situation is interpreted to reduce negative emotions.
What is a common goal of emotion-focused family therapy?
✔✔To help family members express and regulate emotions constructively.
How does structural family therapy define boundaries?
✔✔As invisible lines that regulate interactions between family subsystems.
What is the role of a family sculpting exercise?
✔✔To help family members visually represent relationships and emotional dynamics.
What is a key concept in narrative therapy?
✔✔Externalizing problems to separate the issue from the person.
2
,Why is circular questioning used in family therapy?
✔✔To explore differences in perceptions and relational patterns among family members.
What is the primary goal of solution-focused therapy?
✔✔To identify solutions and build on family strengths rather than focusing on problems.
How does a therapist assess family roles?
✔✔By observing patterns of interaction, responsibilities, and power dynamics.
What is the impact of enmeshment on family functioning?
✔✔It reduces individual autonomy and can lead to emotional overdependence.
How is the concept of triangulation addressed in therapy?
✔✔By helping family members communicate directly and reduce reliance on a third party.
What is the purpose of assigning homework in family therapy?
✔✔To practice new skills and reinforce therapeutic insights outside sessions.
3
, How does systemic thinking influence therapy interventions?
✔✔It focuses on patterns and relationships rather than isolated behaviors.
What is the difference between family rules and norms?
✔✔Rules are explicit expectations, while norms are implicit patterns of behavior.
How does structural therapy address disengaged families?
✔✔By strengthening connections and promoting more effective interactions.
What is a common technique in cognitive-behavioral family therapy?
✔✔Identifying and modifying distorted thoughts that influence family behavior.
How does a therapist promote emotional regulation in family therapy?
✔✔By teaching skills to recognize, express, and manage emotions constructively.
What is the role of a family life cycle assessment?
✔✔To identify stress points and developmental challenges affecting family functioning.
4
