Family Therapist (LMFT) Exam With
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1. A couple comes to therapy because of frequent arguments over finances.
The therapist notices that each partner blames the other for the
problems. According to structural family therapy, what is the therapist
most likely to focus on?
a) Individual self-esteem issues
b) Family hierarchies and boundaries
c) Childhood trauma
d) Personality disorders
b) Family hierarchies and boundaries
Rationale: Structural family therapy emphasizes reorganizing family
structures, hierarchies, and boundaries to reduce conflict.
2. In Bowenian family therapy, differentiation of self refers to:
a) The ability to separate emotionally while remaining connected to the
family
b) Avoiding conflict by placating family members
c) Aligning completely with family opinions
d) Developing personality disorders
,a) The ability to separate emotionally while remaining connected to the
family
Rationale: Differentiation of self involves maintaining one’s individuality
without cutting off emotional connection to family members.
3. A therapist helps a couple identify patterns in their communication and
introduces structured exercises to change them. This approach is most
consistent with:
a) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
b) Structural family therapy
c) Psychodynamic therapy
d) Experiential therapy
b) Structural family therapy
Rationale: Structural family therapy focuses on observable interaction
patterns and uses structured interventions to alter them.
4. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
(AAMFT) Code of Ethics, which action is considered unethical?
a) Referring a client to another therapist when necessary
b) Terminating therapy abruptly without planning
c) Maintaining client confidentiality
d) Seeking supervision for complex cases
b) Terminating therapy abruptly without planning
Rationale: Ethical practice requires planned termination and client
preparation to prevent harm.
5. In family systems theory, triangulation occurs when:
a) Two family members form an alliance against a third member
b) A therapist avoids involvement with family issues
c) Each family member acts independently
d) Families create shared goals
a) Two family members form an alliance against a third member
Rationale: Triangulation is when conflict between two people is diverted by
involving a third party, often creating dysfunctional dynamics.
, 6. A therapist is working with a family in which a teenager is acting out. The
therapist focuses on family rules, hierarchies, and subsystems. This
approach aligns with:
a) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
b) Bowenian therapy
c) Structural family therapy
d) Humanistic therapy
c) Structural family therapy
Rationale: Structural family therapy examines family rules, hierarchies, and
subsystems to address presenting problems.
7. A therapist notices that a client often shifts blame to others and has
difficulty taking responsibility. A psychodynamic perspective would most
likely explore:
a) Present communication patterns
b) Unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms
c) Behavioral reinforcement
d) Social support systems
b) Unconscious conflicts and defense mechanisms
Rationale: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes, internal
conflicts, and defense mechanisms influencing behavior.
8. When working with a couple experiencing infidelity, a therapist
encourages exploration of attachment patterns and emotional needs.
This approach is most consistent with:
a) Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
b) Structural family therapy
c) Bowenian therapy
d) Behavioral therapy
a) Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Rationale: EFT emphasizes understanding emotional experiences and
attachment needs to create secure bonding in couples.
9. Which intervention is most characteristic of strategic family therapy?
a) Restructuring family hierarchies