Official AMFTRB Exam 3Questions and
Answers
Julie is a 35-year-old survivor of sexual abuse and discloses in a session that her father abused her from
the time she was eight until she was 11. She was only willing to come to therapy if her mother could
attend with her. You observe that Julie looks to her mother before answering your questions for
verification before responding to you. The mother nods in approval, that you have come to learn, gives
permission for Julie to continue with the conversation. This is an example of - Answer-enmeshment
According to family systems theory, the family system differentiates and carries out its functions
through subsystems (e.g., individual, spousal, parental, and sibling). The boundaries of these subsystems
must be clear for proper family functioning. Rigid boundaries prevent communication between
subsystems and do not allow change. Enmeshed boundaries: - Answer-result in confusion and a lack of
differentiation
According to systems theory, the external environment: - Answer-can have a positive effect on a family
According to Clifford Sager, couples enter marriage with a contract consisting of three levels. The third
level: - Answer-represents the desires and needs of both partners that are beyond their awareness
,According to general systems theory, positive feedback: - Answer-increases deviation from a balanced
state
A couple in their 40's is seeking therapy to save their marriage.
Recently, the husband has lost interest in sex and has been unable to maintain an erection. His wife
complains that he has been irritable and angry for months. She is convinced that he no longer finds her
attractive and that he is having an affair. She is tearful and anxious. They both report that they have
been fighting a lot. Recently, the husband had a medical check-up and was reported to be in good health
except for his long-standing hypertension. As a precautionary measure, his doctor increased his drug
dosage. Regarding the husband's erectile dysfunction, you would - Answer-refer them back to the
husband's doctor to discuss this issue with the doctor
A Bowenian family systems therapist would know a client with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was
making therapeutic progress when the client - Answer-reports being aware that he was starting to panic
and leaves the room to do some breathing exercises
A client experiencing depressive symptoms says she feels worthless and unlikable and every time she
tries to do something to make things better, she is faced with barriers put up by her parents, boss, etc.,
who do not seem to recognize her efforts. In terms of the third component of Beck's cognitive triad, you
would expect the client to also say - Answer-she feels that things will never change
A 22-year-old woman comes to treatment stating that she has been depressed for five years. She tells
you that she doesn't use birth control but has had many sexual partners lately and recently contracted
herpes. Your first intervention would be to - Answer-explore her self-destructive behavior
A Bowenian therapist is considering termination with a patient.
What indicators would be most important? - Answer-The patient is better able to separate thinking
from feeling.
A cognitive therapist has been working with a family for a couple of months. In the middle stage of
treatment, the family brings up the issue of termination. How does the therapist respond? -
Answer-"What do you as a family and what do you as individuals think about termination?"
,Hint:
therapist would be interested in exploring and addressing with the family group and with each individual
the reasons, rational and irrational, underlying their belief that therapy should end now.
A 16-year-old girl has been verbally confrontational towards her
17-year-old brother. Her parents do not know if family therapy is helping, because her behavior is worse
since coming to therapy. A strategic family therapist believes that what is needed is - Answer-second -
order change, change consists of basic changes in the structure and functioning of a system that alters
its fundamental organization.
A symptomatic family can be said to undergo second-order change when a therapeutic intervention
fundamentally disrupts the pattern of symptomatic interaction so it ceases.
Pamela is a solution-focused therapist. She is working with Sally in helping her communicate with her
family of origin more effectively. What does
Pamela most likely believe may be the reason that Sally has struggled with this issue?
Hint: maladaptive behavior is a result of becoming "stuck" in dealing with a problem due to continued
reliance on the same ineffective methods for resolving it. - Answer-Sally may be "stuck" in dealing with
the problem due to her continued reliance on the same ineffective methods for resolving it.
A client leaves a message on your answering machine, saying she is ending therapy. There has been no
previous discussion of termination. What should you do? - Answer-Call her to make sure she is not in
crisis and is comfortable with her decision.
A behavioral treatment plan measures client progress by using
_ that refers back to_ behaviors. - Answer-measurable objectives and baseline
, A therapist using a feminist therapy approach would do all of the following EXCEPT
Hint: To avoid pathologizing client's problems - Answer-emphasize traditional assessment and diagnosis
A client has been in therapy for eight months and says he wants to quit therapy. He feels that the
original problems he came to therapy for have all been resolved. The therapist disagrees and thinks that
there is good reason for the man to continue in therapy. The therapist should - Answer-have a
conversation with the client to discuss his reasons for wanting to terminate and the therapist's reasons
for thinking he should continue
During a professional staff meeting, a counselor says he is worried that if techniques are implemented to
stop a 6-year-old boy from sucking his thumb, then he will begin biting his nails or stuttering. The
counselor - Answer-is most likely an analytically trained counselor concerned with symptom
substitution.
Hint: Behaviorists do strive for symptom reduction and do not believe in the concept of symptom
substitution.
An eclectic counselor
Hint: Associated with Frederick C. Thorne. - Answer-attempts to choose the best theoretical approach
based on the client's attributes, resources, and situation.
(50% of counselors claim to be eclectic)
cognitive dissonance - Answer-unpleasant mental experience of tension resulting from two conflicting
thoughts or beliefs and thus the person will be motivated to reduce the dissonance.
Lifestyle, birth order, and family constellation are emphasized by - Answer-Adler
Answers
Julie is a 35-year-old survivor of sexual abuse and discloses in a session that her father abused her from
the time she was eight until she was 11. She was only willing to come to therapy if her mother could
attend with her. You observe that Julie looks to her mother before answering your questions for
verification before responding to you. The mother nods in approval, that you have come to learn, gives
permission for Julie to continue with the conversation. This is an example of - Answer-enmeshment
According to family systems theory, the family system differentiates and carries out its functions
through subsystems (e.g., individual, spousal, parental, and sibling). The boundaries of these subsystems
must be clear for proper family functioning. Rigid boundaries prevent communication between
subsystems and do not allow change. Enmeshed boundaries: - Answer-result in confusion and a lack of
differentiation
According to systems theory, the external environment: - Answer-can have a positive effect on a family
According to Clifford Sager, couples enter marriage with a contract consisting of three levels. The third
level: - Answer-represents the desires and needs of both partners that are beyond their awareness
,According to general systems theory, positive feedback: - Answer-increases deviation from a balanced
state
A couple in their 40's is seeking therapy to save their marriage.
Recently, the husband has lost interest in sex and has been unable to maintain an erection. His wife
complains that he has been irritable and angry for months. She is convinced that he no longer finds her
attractive and that he is having an affair. She is tearful and anxious. They both report that they have
been fighting a lot. Recently, the husband had a medical check-up and was reported to be in good health
except for his long-standing hypertension. As a precautionary measure, his doctor increased his drug
dosage. Regarding the husband's erectile dysfunction, you would - Answer-refer them back to the
husband's doctor to discuss this issue with the doctor
A Bowenian family systems therapist would know a client with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was
making therapeutic progress when the client - Answer-reports being aware that he was starting to panic
and leaves the room to do some breathing exercises
A client experiencing depressive symptoms says she feels worthless and unlikable and every time she
tries to do something to make things better, she is faced with barriers put up by her parents, boss, etc.,
who do not seem to recognize her efforts. In terms of the third component of Beck's cognitive triad, you
would expect the client to also say - Answer-she feels that things will never change
A 22-year-old woman comes to treatment stating that she has been depressed for five years. She tells
you that she doesn't use birth control but has had many sexual partners lately and recently contracted
herpes. Your first intervention would be to - Answer-explore her self-destructive behavior
A Bowenian therapist is considering termination with a patient.
What indicators would be most important? - Answer-The patient is better able to separate thinking
from feeling.
A cognitive therapist has been working with a family for a couple of months. In the middle stage of
treatment, the family brings up the issue of termination. How does the therapist respond? -
Answer-"What do you as a family and what do you as individuals think about termination?"
,Hint:
therapist would be interested in exploring and addressing with the family group and with each individual
the reasons, rational and irrational, underlying their belief that therapy should end now.
A 16-year-old girl has been verbally confrontational towards her
17-year-old brother. Her parents do not know if family therapy is helping, because her behavior is worse
since coming to therapy. A strategic family therapist believes that what is needed is - Answer-second -
order change, change consists of basic changes in the structure and functioning of a system that alters
its fundamental organization.
A symptomatic family can be said to undergo second-order change when a therapeutic intervention
fundamentally disrupts the pattern of symptomatic interaction so it ceases.
Pamela is a solution-focused therapist. She is working with Sally in helping her communicate with her
family of origin more effectively. What does
Pamela most likely believe may be the reason that Sally has struggled with this issue?
Hint: maladaptive behavior is a result of becoming "stuck" in dealing with a problem due to continued
reliance on the same ineffective methods for resolving it. - Answer-Sally may be "stuck" in dealing with
the problem due to her continued reliance on the same ineffective methods for resolving it.
A client leaves a message on your answering machine, saying she is ending therapy. There has been no
previous discussion of termination. What should you do? - Answer-Call her to make sure she is not in
crisis and is comfortable with her decision.
A behavioral treatment plan measures client progress by using
_ that refers back to_ behaviors. - Answer-measurable objectives and baseline
, A therapist using a feminist therapy approach would do all of the following EXCEPT
Hint: To avoid pathologizing client's problems - Answer-emphasize traditional assessment and diagnosis
A client has been in therapy for eight months and says he wants to quit therapy. He feels that the
original problems he came to therapy for have all been resolved. The therapist disagrees and thinks that
there is good reason for the man to continue in therapy. The therapist should - Answer-have a
conversation with the client to discuss his reasons for wanting to terminate and the therapist's reasons
for thinking he should continue
During a professional staff meeting, a counselor says he is worried that if techniques are implemented to
stop a 6-year-old boy from sucking his thumb, then he will begin biting his nails or stuttering. The
counselor - Answer-is most likely an analytically trained counselor concerned with symptom
substitution.
Hint: Behaviorists do strive for symptom reduction and do not believe in the concept of symptom
substitution.
An eclectic counselor
Hint: Associated with Frederick C. Thorne. - Answer-attempts to choose the best theoretical approach
based on the client's attributes, resources, and situation.
(50% of counselors claim to be eclectic)
cognitive dissonance - Answer-unpleasant mental experience of tension resulting from two conflicting
thoughts or beliefs and thus the person will be motivated to reduce the dissonance.
Lifestyle, birth order, and family constellation are emphasized by - Answer-Adler
