MFT Licensing Exam: Theories
CBT - ANS--change occurs by learning to modify dysfunctional thought patterns
-teach client coping skills and give homework to practice; therapist is a "teacher" that helps
clients understand how negative thoughts affect mood and behavior
rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) - ANS--change occurs through changing irrational
beliefs to rational beliefs, which improve clients' emotional and behavioral functioning
-therapist is directive, confrontational and acts as an instructor to help client alter thinking
patterns to overcome psychological issues/mental distress
reality therapy - ANS--change occurs through identifying and meetings needs, and developing
satisfying interpersonal relationships
-therapist creates nurturing environment; non-judgmental, supportive, patient coach
DBT - ANS--change happens through mindfulness, developing skills to manage distress
tolerance and emotional regulation, and improving interpersonal problem solving skills
-therapist is an ally and coach, validates and offers alternatives
client-centered therapy - ANS--change occurs through creating conditions for the client to grow
through the therapeutic relationship and with genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and
empathy
-therapist is non-directive
gestalt therapy - ANS--change occurs through increased awareness of here-and-now
experience in the therapeutic relationship
-therapist is authentic, non-directive, non-judgmental
-clients become aware of what they're doing, how they're doing it, and how they can change
themselves while also learning to accept and value themselves
existential therapy - ANS--change occurs through finding philosophical meaning in face of
anxiety by choosing to think and act authentically and responsibly
-address the core question: "how do I exist?"
-client discovers their own life meaning and agency over their life
experiential therapy - ANS--change happens through existential encounters - the authentic
meeting of the therapist and client in present moment and by expanding the client's range of
experience
-therapist is authentic, creative and playful
-goal is for growth and increased flexibility
narrative therapy - ANS--change occurs by separating the client from the problem and creating
a new narrative/story, which emphasizes the client's competencies and strengths
, -therapist is the collaborator, co-author, investigator, views individual as expert on own life
-goal is to help client create more helpful stories of their life
solution focused therapy - ANS--change occurs through accessing client's strengths and
resources; find solutions to a problem, NOT discovering origins or causes of the problem!
-therapist is a coach/consultant
-goal is for client to build on current strengths/resources and implement small/large changes to
achieve preferred future
psychodynamic theory - ANS--change occurs through insight and understanding of early,
unresolved issues
-therapist is non-directive and develops secure attachment with client
object relations psychodynamic therapy - ANS--change occurs through reparative experiences
within the treatment relationship and from new insight
-therapist is natural, emphasis on counter and transference
-goal is to gain insight into how past relationships impact client's current functioning and improve
their relationship with self and others
self psychology psychodynamic therapy - ANS--change occurs through empathetic attunement
and strengthening the self-structures through optimal responsiveness
-therapist is responsive and understanding
-goal is to develop self-esteem, self-cohesion, and locate better self objects
attachment-based therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploration of past and current
relational attachments and trauma in environment of a healing, secure, and reliable relationship
-therapist creates secure, accepting, caring, non-judgmental, reliable environment so client feels
comfortable sharing past traumas
-therapist acts as secure base
-goal is to improve quality of attachments with others, regulate emotions, and raise awareness
of client's problematic behavioral and emotional patterns
adlerian therapy - ANS--change occurs by increasing client's self-awareness, and challenging
and modifying their life goals and basic concepts
-therapist is accepting, encouraging, respectful, optimistic, collaborative, builds trust, and
co-thinker
-goals are to increase social interests and sense of belonging
depth psychology therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploring and integrating material from
both unconscious and conscious levels of understanding (i.e. dreams, images, symptoms,
intuitions)
-client and therapist form a critical alliance
-goals are to increase self-awareness and inner wisdom
CBT - ANS--change occurs by learning to modify dysfunctional thought patterns
-teach client coping skills and give homework to practice; therapist is a "teacher" that helps
clients understand how negative thoughts affect mood and behavior
rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) - ANS--change occurs through changing irrational
beliefs to rational beliefs, which improve clients' emotional and behavioral functioning
-therapist is directive, confrontational and acts as an instructor to help client alter thinking
patterns to overcome psychological issues/mental distress
reality therapy - ANS--change occurs through identifying and meetings needs, and developing
satisfying interpersonal relationships
-therapist creates nurturing environment; non-judgmental, supportive, patient coach
DBT - ANS--change happens through mindfulness, developing skills to manage distress
tolerance and emotional regulation, and improving interpersonal problem solving skills
-therapist is an ally and coach, validates and offers alternatives
client-centered therapy - ANS--change occurs through creating conditions for the client to grow
through the therapeutic relationship and with genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and
empathy
-therapist is non-directive
gestalt therapy - ANS--change occurs through increased awareness of here-and-now
experience in the therapeutic relationship
-therapist is authentic, non-directive, non-judgmental
-clients become aware of what they're doing, how they're doing it, and how they can change
themselves while also learning to accept and value themselves
existential therapy - ANS--change occurs through finding philosophical meaning in face of
anxiety by choosing to think and act authentically and responsibly
-address the core question: "how do I exist?"
-client discovers their own life meaning and agency over their life
experiential therapy - ANS--change happens through existential encounters - the authentic
meeting of the therapist and client in present moment and by expanding the client's range of
experience
-therapist is authentic, creative and playful
-goal is for growth and increased flexibility
narrative therapy - ANS--change occurs by separating the client from the problem and creating
a new narrative/story, which emphasizes the client's competencies and strengths
, -therapist is the collaborator, co-author, investigator, views individual as expert on own life
-goal is to help client create more helpful stories of their life
solution focused therapy - ANS--change occurs through accessing client's strengths and
resources; find solutions to a problem, NOT discovering origins or causes of the problem!
-therapist is a coach/consultant
-goal is for client to build on current strengths/resources and implement small/large changes to
achieve preferred future
psychodynamic theory - ANS--change occurs through insight and understanding of early,
unresolved issues
-therapist is non-directive and develops secure attachment with client
object relations psychodynamic therapy - ANS--change occurs through reparative experiences
within the treatment relationship and from new insight
-therapist is natural, emphasis on counter and transference
-goal is to gain insight into how past relationships impact client's current functioning and improve
their relationship with self and others
self psychology psychodynamic therapy - ANS--change occurs through empathetic attunement
and strengthening the self-structures through optimal responsiveness
-therapist is responsive and understanding
-goal is to develop self-esteem, self-cohesion, and locate better self objects
attachment-based therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploration of past and current
relational attachments and trauma in environment of a healing, secure, and reliable relationship
-therapist creates secure, accepting, caring, non-judgmental, reliable environment so client feels
comfortable sharing past traumas
-therapist acts as secure base
-goal is to improve quality of attachments with others, regulate emotions, and raise awareness
of client's problematic behavioral and emotional patterns
adlerian therapy - ANS--change occurs by increasing client's self-awareness, and challenging
and modifying their life goals and basic concepts
-therapist is accepting, encouraging, respectful, optimistic, collaborative, builds trust, and
co-thinker
-goals are to increase social interests and sense of belonging
depth psychology therapy - ANS--change occurs through exploring and integrating material from
both unconscious and conscious levels of understanding (i.e. dreams, images, symptoms,
intuitions)
-client and therapist form a critical alliance
-goals are to increase self-awareness and inner wisdom
