MFT National Exam: Sample Questions
and Answers
Out of earshot of Dad, Mom points out one of his parenting inadequacies to the children. From a
Contextual Family Therapy perspective, Mom's actions are evidence for - Answer-split filial loyalty
Bob (45) and Marianne (38) argue about what is the proper age for their daughter Jill (14) to begin
dating. Jill hears the fighting and enters the room. Marianne draws Jill into the argument to side with her
against Bob. From a Bowen Systems perspective, what has occurred? - Answer-triangulation
Creation of a sufficient holding environment is a critical part of which theoretical approach? - Answer-
Object Relations
Which theory believes that relative birth order is significant in determining specific characteristics? -
Answer-Bowen Systems
Bill (50) and Alexandria (43) present for therapy because their son Ralph (13) has developed school
phobia. The phobia emerged after a trial separation between Bill and Alexandria. Bill moved back into
the home when it became apparent that the only way to get Ralph to attend school was with both
parents working together to help him. From Bozormenyi-Nagy's perspective, this is an example of -
Answer-invisible loyalties
, Jonathan (47) and Samantha (46) present for help with their daughter Michelle (12) who has a history of
depression. The family has also recently moved and Michelle will be entering a new high school this fall.
The family spends some time animatedly describing recent events in their lives that they believe
deepened Michelle's depression. The conversation begins to wind down. An Object Relations therapist
would be most likely to - Answer-request details of their earlier histories
The following therapist is most associated with multigenerational process of psychopathology - Answer-
Bowen
Introjection can only be detected by - Answer-trained therapists
Anita (23) has had a conflictual relationship with her mother, Sarah (43) throughout her teens. She was
rebellious and angry with her mother much of the time. Sarah is a single mother and very anxious about
her daughter, so much so that she frequently screamed and used inappropriate punishments in an
attempt to get her daughter to "behave". After Anita left home for college, she rarely wrote or called
home and only visited on holidays. Now that she has graduated, she took a job several states away from
her hometown and continues her pattern of not phoning or calling. A Bowenian therapist would say that
Anita is engaged in - Answer-emotional cutoff
In object relations theory, the latent meaning behind attitudes, behaviors, or feelings that is detected by
therapists through analyzing personal reactions to session materials is knows as - Answer-derivatives
Sandy's parents divorced when she was 10 years old, and her mother went through a depression.
Consequently, Sandy often was responsible for the care of her 7 year old brother as well as seeing to
family meals and other household chores. Her mother often confided in her about her feelings and
interacted with her more like an older sister than her mother. When Sandy became a young adult, her
mother, who had recovered somewhat, was surprised to find how irresponsibly Sandy conducted her
life and how angry she seemed. According to Bozormenyi-Nagy, Sandy's behavior is an example of -
Answer-destructive entitlement
The role of the therapist is Bowenian therapy is that of - Answer-coach
and Answers
Out of earshot of Dad, Mom points out one of his parenting inadequacies to the children. From a
Contextual Family Therapy perspective, Mom's actions are evidence for - Answer-split filial loyalty
Bob (45) and Marianne (38) argue about what is the proper age for their daughter Jill (14) to begin
dating. Jill hears the fighting and enters the room. Marianne draws Jill into the argument to side with her
against Bob. From a Bowen Systems perspective, what has occurred? - Answer-triangulation
Creation of a sufficient holding environment is a critical part of which theoretical approach? - Answer-
Object Relations
Which theory believes that relative birth order is significant in determining specific characteristics? -
Answer-Bowen Systems
Bill (50) and Alexandria (43) present for therapy because their son Ralph (13) has developed school
phobia. The phobia emerged after a trial separation between Bill and Alexandria. Bill moved back into
the home when it became apparent that the only way to get Ralph to attend school was with both
parents working together to help him. From Bozormenyi-Nagy's perspective, this is an example of -
Answer-invisible loyalties
, Jonathan (47) and Samantha (46) present for help with their daughter Michelle (12) who has a history of
depression. The family has also recently moved and Michelle will be entering a new high school this fall.
The family spends some time animatedly describing recent events in their lives that they believe
deepened Michelle's depression. The conversation begins to wind down. An Object Relations therapist
would be most likely to - Answer-request details of their earlier histories
The following therapist is most associated with multigenerational process of psychopathology - Answer-
Bowen
Introjection can only be detected by - Answer-trained therapists
Anita (23) has had a conflictual relationship with her mother, Sarah (43) throughout her teens. She was
rebellious and angry with her mother much of the time. Sarah is a single mother and very anxious about
her daughter, so much so that she frequently screamed and used inappropriate punishments in an
attempt to get her daughter to "behave". After Anita left home for college, she rarely wrote or called
home and only visited on holidays. Now that she has graduated, she took a job several states away from
her hometown and continues her pattern of not phoning or calling. A Bowenian therapist would say that
Anita is engaged in - Answer-emotional cutoff
In object relations theory, the latent meaning behind attitudes, behaviors, or feelings that is detected by
therapists through analyzing personal reactions to session materials is knows as - Answer-derivatives
Sandy's parents divorced when she was 10 years old, and her mother went through a depression.
Consequently, Sandy often was responsible for the care of her 7 year old brother as well as seeing to
family meals and other household chores. Her mother often confided in her about her feelings and
interacted with her more like an older sister than her mother. When Sandy became a young adult, her
mother, who had recovered somewhat, was surprised to find how irresponsibly Sandy conducted her
life and how angry she seemed. According to Bozormenyi-Nagy, Sandy's behavior is an example of -
Answer-destructive entitlement
The role of the therapist is Bowenian therapy is that of - Answer-coach
