MFT NATIONAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Which theory focuses on ledgers and balances? Answer: Contextual
therapy
⩥ Who created the rubber fence theory? Answer: Wynn
⩥ Who created the term garage mechanic? Answer: Carl Whitaker
⩥ What is the emphasis in Bowenian therapy? Answer: Differentiation
of self
⩥ What is Bowen's differentiation of self defined? Answer: refers to the
autonomy of function which results in being less reactive to family
systems dynamics and other members emotional states; the extent to
which they have learned to manage emotionality.
⩥ what is the core problem in Bowenian theory? Answer: triangles and
emotional reactivity
,⩥ what are Bowenian's key techniques? Answer: genogram and process
questions
⩥ who are the founders of experiential therapy? Answer: Virginia Satir
& Carl Whitaker
⩥ What is the emphasis in experiential therapy? Answer: authenticity
and self-actualization
⩥ what is the core problem in experiential therapy? Answer: emotional
suppression and mystification
⩥ what are key techniques used in experiential therapy? Answer:
confrontation and structured exercises
⩥ who are the founders of solution-focused therapy? Answer: Steve de
Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg
⩥ What is the emphasis in solution-focused therapy? Answer: language
creates reality
⩥ What is the core problem in solution-focused therapy? Answer:
problem talk
,⩥ what are key techniques used in solution-focused therapy? Answer:
focusing on solutions and identifying exceptions
⩥ who are the founders of strategic therapy? Answer: Don Jackson and
Jay Haley
⩥ What is the emphasis in strategic therapy? Answer: homeostasis and
feedback loops
⩥ what is the core problem in strategic therapy? Answer: more-of-the-
same solutions
⩥ what are key techniques used in strategic therapy? Answer: reframing
directives
⩥ who are the founders of psychodynamic therapy? Answer: Nathan
Ackerman, Henry Dicks, and Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy
⩥ What is the emphasis in psychodynamic therapy? Answer: drives
self objects
internal objects
⩥ what are the core problems in psychodynamic therapy? Answer:
conflict
, projective identification
fixation and regression
⩥ what are the key techniques used in psychodynamic therapy? Answer:
silence and interpretation
⩥ who are the founders of narrative therapy? Answer: Michael White &
David Epston
⩥ what is the emphasis in narrative therapy? Answer: Narrative theory
& social constructionism
⩥ what is the core problem in narrative therapy? Answer: problem-
saturated stories
⩥ What are key techniques used in narrative therapy? Answer:
externalization, identifying unique outcomes, & creating audiences of
support
⩥ who are the founders of structural therapy? Answer: Salvador
Minuchin
⩥ what is the emphasis in structural therapy? Answer: subsystems and
boundaries
EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Which theory focuses on ledgers and balances? Answer: Contextual
therapy
⩥ Who created the rubber fence theory? Answer: Wynn
⩥ Who created the term garage mechanic? Answer: Carl Whitaker
⩥ What is the emphasis in Bowenian therapy? Answer: Differentiation
of self
⩥ What is Bowen's differentiation of self defined? Answer: refers to the
autonomy of function which results in being less reactive to family
systems dynamics and other members emotional states; the extent to
which they have learned to manage emotionality.
⩥ what is the core problem in Bowenian theory? Answer: triangles and
emotional reactivity
,⩥ what are Bowenian's key techniques? Answer: genogram and process
questions
⩥ who are the founders of experiential therapy? Answer: Virginia Satir
& Carl Whitaker
⩥ What is the emphasis in experiential therapy? Answer: authenticity
and self-actualization
⩥ what is the core problem in experiential therapy? Answer: emotional
suppression and mystification
⩥ what are key techniques used in experiential therapy? Answer:
confrontation and structured exercises
⩥ who are the founders of solution-focused therapy? Answer: Steve de
Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg
⩥ What is the emphasis in solution-focused therapy? Answer: language
creates reality
⩥ What is the core problem in solution-focused therapy? Answer:
problem talk
,⩥ what are key techniques used in solution-focused therapy? Answer:
focusing on solutions and identifying exceptions
⩥ who are the founders of strategic therapy? Answer: Don Jackson and
Jay Haley
⩥ What is the emphasis in strategic therapy? Answer: homeostasis and
feedback loops
⩥ what is the core problem in strategic therapy? Answer: more-of-the-
same solutions
⩥ what are key techniques used in strategic therapy? Answer: reframing
directives
⩥ who are the founders of psychodynamic therapy? Answer: Nathan
Ackerman, Henry Dicks, and Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy
⩥ What is the emphasis in psychodynamic therapy? Answer: drives
self objects
internal objects
⩥ what are the core problems in psychodynamic therapy? Answer:
conflict
, projective identification
fixation and regression
⩥ what are the key techniques used in psychodynamic therapy? Answer:
silence and interpretation
⩥ who are the founders of narrative therapy? Answer: Michael White &
David Epston
⩥ what is the emphasis in narrative therapy? Answer: Narrative theory
& social constructionism
⩥ what is the core problem in narrative therapy? Answer: problem-
saturated stories
⩥ What are key techniques used in narrative therapy? Answer:
externalization, identifying unique outcomes, & creating audiences of
support
⩥ who are the founders of structural therapy? Answer: Salvador
Minuchin
⩥ what is the emphasis in structural therapy? Answer: subsystems and
boundaries
