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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

AMFTRB MFT Exam Questions

Page 4 of 25

61.

All the following are TRUE about conduct disorder EXCEPT:

  • Symptoms need to persist for at least six months

  • Symptoms violate social norms

  • Symptoms may include aggression towards animals

  • Symptoms are pervasive in various settings 

Correct answer: Symptoms need to persist for at least six months

To be diagnosed with conduct disorder, the individual must show symptoms for at least 12 months. 

Violating social norms, aggression towards animals, and displaying symptoms across multiple settings are all factors of conduct disorder. 

62.

If your client is struggling with a legal issue, your BEST course of action would be:

  • Recommending that they consult with an attorney

  • Researching the issue and advising them what to do next

  • Exploring the potential options for how they can respond

  • Referring them to another therapist who specializes in that issue 

Correct answer: Recommending that they consult with an attorney

Legal issues are out of the scope of practice for therapists. You should recommend they consult with an attorney. You might then explore how they can respond later. 

You would not attempt to research the issue yourself, and referring another therapist would probably not be necessary in this case.  

What is most important is that legal advice comes from an attorney, since this is outside your scope of practice. 

63.

When building rapport with a client in a crisis situation, it is important to remember all the following, EXCEPT: 

  • It's important to validate the client by letting them know you know how they feel.

  • It's important to strive to be genuine and authentic.

  • It's important to try to maintain a positive attitude.

  • It's important to be mindful of the client's coping tendencies. 

Correct answer: It's important to validate the client by letting them know you know how they feel.

Therapists do not assume they know how clients feel, and so this would not be an appropriate part of building rapport. 

That said, it is important to be authentic, positive, and mindful of how the client copes as a means of creating an initial connection. 

64.

You are meeting with Shayla, a 28-year-old woman, referred to you because she consistently feels sad and disinterested. She recently broke up with her long-time partner and quit her job. During your first session, she reports feeling like she doesn't have much of a purpose in life. She states that she often drinks to cope with her sadness, but that even the drinking doesn't take her pain away. She acknowledges that depression runs in her family and that she grew up watching her mother struggle to get out of bed many mornings. Based on this information, you should NEXT proceed by: 

  • sssessing Shayla for suicidal ideation.

  • sssessing the severity of Shayla's alcohol consumption.

  • sssessing Shayla's past depression treatments.

  • assessing Shayla's motivation for treatment. 

Correct answer: assessing Shayla for suicidal ideation.

Shayla shows evident signs of depression, and it is important to clarify why she doesn't have much of a purpose in life and if she has plans of hurting herself. This is an important part of any safety assessment. 

You would also address her drinking, but that would come after ruling out the immediate safety concern related to suicidality. You could also assess her prior treatments and motivation for current treatment as you continue building rapport (but you need to assess for suicidal ideation first). 

65.

Brittany (21) was referred to you because she feels depressed. She states that she feels incredibly insecure about her skin and acne scars. She feels that they make her look hideous. As a result, she devotes hours to perfecting her makeup each day, and she is aiming to save up money for her fourth plastic surgery laser procedure. She often turns down social obligations when she is having "a bad skin day." Based on this information, you would MOST LIKELY diagnose Brittany with:

  • Body dysmorphic disorder

  • Generalized anxiety disorder

  • Major depressive disorder

  • Nothing - there is not enough information to warrant a diagnosis. 

Correct answer: Body dysmorphic disorder

Brittany meets the criteria for body dysphoric disorder, as her preoccupation with her perceived flaws is causing significant distress.

There are some symptoms of anxiety, but they are specific to her appearance. She does appear depressed, but it is also specific to her appearance.  

66.

A female supervisor, Lanie, is providing supervision for one of her male therapists, Ken, at a community mental health clinic. Ken is discussing a recent issue he is having with one of his clients, Kate. Ken states that he believes Kate has a crush on him, although he hasn't confronted the issue because he isn't sure where to start. Lanie states, "I wouldn't be surprised! You're so good-looking. Who wouldn't have a crush on you?" Lanie's comment BEST represents the ethical violation of:

  • Harassment

  • Exploitation

  • Conflict of interest

  • Maintenance of competency 

Correct answer: Harassment

Lanie's comment is a form of harassment. 

She is not actively exploiting Ken with this comment nor is she showing a particular conflict of interest or lack of competence. 

67.

Hank (45) states his wife Georgia (42) is at fault for all the problems in their marriage. You notice this pattern in other areas of his life as well. For example, he often says one of his colleagues is at fault for his own work stagnation. He also talks down to his daughter for "spending all their hard-earned money." 

Virginia Satir might classify Hank as a(n):

  • Blamer

  • Placater

  • Irrelevant 

  • Attacker

Correct answer: Blamer

Hank tends to blame others when things go wrong, and he lacks personal accountability. This is congruent with Satir's definition of a blamer. People with this communication style tend to be dominant and self-righteous.

A placater will often go along with what other people want, aiming to please at all costs. 

An irrelevant would try to diffuse the family tension altogether, becoming a distractor. 

An attacker is not a term Satir used.

68.

Your client, Jane, is talking about how frustrated she feels with her coworker, who spent the majority of their work meeting talking about her personal life. Jane states that she believes her coworker is woefully unfit for this job.

This information MOST likely represents:

  • Content

  • Process

  • Feedback

  • Boundaries 

Correct answer: Content

Content refers to explicit spoken conversation — in this case, Jane's frustration with her coworker and her opinion that the coworker is unfit for the job.

Process refers to how one communicates (or what the main patterns of communication are), and in this case, involves analyzing how Jane communicates this frustration (e.g., tone, body language).

Feedback refers to the reciprocal flow of communication.

Boundaries refer to how Jane does (or does not) set limits with her coworker).

69.

A young woman enters therapy reporting that she finds sexual activity extremely painful. She indicates she has not been able to consummate her marriage because it feels like her partner's penis is just "hitting a wall." As a result, any sexual activity makes her feel anxious, and she cites that she feels like her body "naturally tightens up." Based on these criteria, this client MOST LIKELY meets the criteria for:  

  • Genito-pelvic penetration disorder

  • Genito-pelvic pain disorder

  • Female low sexual interest/arousal disorder

  • Orgasmic disorder 

Correct answer: Genito-pelvic penetration disorder

Genito-pelvic penetration disorder consists of pain and discomfort around sexual activity. The individual experiences immense distress/anxiety about sex, which can involuntarily cause tightness sensations. As a result, they may find sexual activity impossible. 

Genito-pelvic pain disorder is associated with pain, but women can still typically engage in sexual activity. Female low sexual interest/arousal disorder refers to limited arousal around sex. Orgasmic disorder refers to difficulty achieving orgasm, which is not presented in this vignette. 

70.

You practice from a Bowenian family therapy framework, and you are meeting with a new family for the first time. You quickly notice that each family member talks to you, rather than to each other. For example, when you ask Bob how he feels about his wife Jane's work schedule, he says, "It's just really stressful." Then, when you ask Jane about Bob's response, she looks at you and says, "Yeah, I get why he's stressed. I'm stressed, too."

Based on this theoretical framework, how might you BEST intervene with this dynamic?

  • Continue allowing family members to speak to the therapist to reduce overall tension.

  • Psychoeducate on the poor boundaries within the family

  • Validate each family member's stress

  • Ask what has helped them manage stress in the past 

Correct answer: Continue allowing family members to speak to the therapist to reduce overall tension.

Bowen family systems therapy often entails clients speaking to the therapist directly. This can diffuse tension/conflict within the family, and allow family members to be actively listened to in times of distress.

Psychoeducation could be appropriate, but we don't necessarily see evidence of poor boundaries. Validation would also be important, but we'd ideally like the family members to validate each other. Asking about how they have managed stress in the past is more of a solution-focused intervention.

71.

Carol and Steve have been married for seventeen years. They can't remember a time they haven't fought about who controls the thermostat. Most of the time, it's just a lighthearted argument, but sometimes Carol feels really upset that Steve keeps the house "too cold" for her comfort. This dynamic can be BEST described as:

  • A gridlocked issue

  • Defensiveness 

  • An interactional pattern 

  • Accepting influence 

Correct answer: Gridlocked issue

Gottman describes 'gridlocked issues' as issues that are chronic and ongoing (but generally not a significant threat to a relationship). 

There are no real signs of defensiveness in this dynamic. An interactional pattern refers to how couples meet attachment needs (not the case in this conflict). Accepting influence refers to how couples build trust and safety in a relationship by meeting each other's needs- we don't know how Carol and Steve are working to achieve that.  

72.

All the following are TRUE when therapists use personal websites as a component of therapy, EXCEPT:

  • Therapists should avoid using websites as a component of therapy altogether. 

  • Therapists should carefully scrutinize the safety and quality of the website.

  • Therapists should consider how unintentional data leaks may impact clients. 

  • Therapists should be mindful of how their online presence affects their professional work. 

Correct answer: Therapists should avoid using websites as a component of therapy altogether 

It is common (and acceptable) for therapists to use websites for initial consultation information. 

Many websites also have secure patient portals where clients can sign in, pay bills, and email their therapists. However, therapists should scrutinize these websites and consider the risk of data leaks. Likewise, it's always important for therapists to be mindful of how their online presence affects their professional work. 

73.

All the following could be appropriate methods for your clients to reschedule a session with you, EXCEPT:

  • By sending you a message on social media

  • By texting you

  • By calling your intake coordinator

  • By leaving you a voicemail

Correct answer: By sending you a message on social media 

As part of your therapy process, you should not ethically be accepting friend requests or follows from clients. Thus, you should not permit contact via social media. 

Depending on your informed consent policies and HIPAA standards, texting, leaving voicemails, or calling your intake coordinator may all be appropriate.

74.

You are a narrative family therapist working with Kyle, a 25 year-old male referred to you because he states he struggles with compulsive gambling. He recognizes the severity of his problem and actively shows an interest in wanting to work on it. Kyle tells you that he feels like his compulsion is "bigger than him," and that he feels a sense of hopelessness about things getting better. Given this information, what would be your MAIN priority during the early phase of treatment? 

  • Learning more about Kyle beyond his gambling

  • Learning about Kyle's family history with gambling

  • Learning about Kyle's thoughts and feelings about gambling

  • Learning about Kyle's past attempts to stop gambling 

Correct answer: Learning more about Kyle beyond his gambling

A narrative therapist would consciously want to learn more about their clients beyond the specified problem (this helps with externalization). 

They might want to know the other information (family history, thoughts and feelings about the gambling, past attempts), but these would likely come AFTER learning more about the client and their unique strengths and resources.  

75.

A therapist is meeting with a young girl and her parents for family therapy. The parents are contemplating divorce, and they want to provide a supportive environment for their child should they separate. 

What early-phase goal would a family therapist applying Milan systemic theory have for this family?

  • Support family members in opening up to the therapist's hypothesizing

  • Invite everyone to explore the system and share their thoughts on what could improve

  • Psychoeducate family members on the various dyads maintaining the family structure

  • Explore healthy solutions for creating systemic change

Correct answer: Support family members in opening up to the therapist's hypothesizing 

Milan systemic therapists embrace the concepts of therapist neutrality. They obtain information about the family's goals and needs, and often ask circular questions that support clients in understanding the best outcome for their situation. 

In the beginning stages of treatment, the Milan therapist engages in hypothesizing, in which the therapist presents their view of the family's behavior and invites them to consider this new perspective on their life. So, an important early goal would be getting the family members to open up to hypothesizing so they can accept new views about their problems. This can help the family to change their usual "family game." 

While the other answers represent potential goals, they would not be the first course of action in beginning treatment.

76.

Which of the following is the BEST definition for minority stress?

  • The stress minorities face due to discrimination 

  • The stress minorities face due to a therapist's countertransference

  • The flawed worldviews some minorities have about their role in society

  • The arguments within a specific minority 

Correct answer: The stress minorities face due to discrimination 

Therapists may have countertransference when working with certain populations and that can contribute to minority stress, but minority stress is more of a global, societal issue (rather than just one in the therapy room). 

Minority stress is not a flawed worldview, nor is it indicative of arguments within a group.

77.

Marriage and family therapists need to be ethically cognizant of how they can publicly influence others due to their titles. Therefore, when publishing an article under your name and title, it is important to consider all the following, EXCEPT:

  • The need to use a pseudonym whenever possible 

  • The need to maintain a sense of professionalism

  • The need to be aware that people may admire you without knowing you

  • The need to avoid perpetuating harmful stigmas 

Correct answer: The need to use a pseudonym whenever possible 

Therapists do not need to use pseudonyms (unless they want to).

However, they should strive to maintain a sense of professionalism and be aware that people may look up to them due to their status. They should also strive to avoid perpetuating harmful stigmas about mental health or other related concerns. 

78.

You are working with Christine, a single mother, and her daughter, Molly. You believe that continuing family therapy is the best approach for their specific needs. Their insurance does not cover family sessions, but it does provide reimbursement for individual sessions. To mitigate financial stress, you submit a claim for individual psychotherapy while continuing to see them as a family. 

What legal issue is MOST pertinent in this case?

  • Insurance fraud

  • Breaching confidentiality

  • Working outside of the scope of practice

  • Financial abuse

Correct answer: Insurance fraud

This is an example of insurance fraud. Abusing insurance by making fraudulent claims is illegal. This could result in discipline against the therapist's license, or the filing of a civil suit for recovery of funds paid for services. The situation represents insurance fraud because the therapist misrepresented the services provided. 

This example does not represent a breach of confidentiality or working outside one's scope of practice. 

Financial abuse does not properly describe this situation; the situation is a clear example of insurance fraud.

79.

Which of the following is TRUE about therapists receiving financial referrals?

  • Therapists cannot offer or accept financial referrals.

  • Therapists can offer or accept financial referrals with written consent.

  • Therapists cannot offer, but can accept financial referrals.

  • Therapists can offer or accept financial referrals when the situation is clearly stated in their informed consent. 

Correct answer: Therapists cannot offer or accept financial referrals.

Therapists must ethically maintain financial integrity, which means avoiding any kinds of referrals. 

They cannot make exceptions as part of their informed consent or even with written consent. 

80.

You are working with Terrence (17), a teenage male who discloses that he plans to "beat up" his bully, Thomas, later that night. He says that he's going to "really going to make him regret what he's done to me." Ethically speaking, you should NEXT:

  • Consult with your local state laws about the constraints of 'duty to warn'

  • Break confidentiality as part of your 'duty to warn'

  • Maintain confidentiality and explore Terrence's feelings and thoughts about the bullying

  • Collaborate with Terrence's parents about the best course of action for safety 

Correct answer: Consult with your local state laws about the constraints of 'duty to warn'

This may fall under a therapist's 'duty to warn' requirement, but each state has its own regulations and policies. 

Therefore, it is best practice to consult immediately. You would not necessarily break confidentiality until you know the client's plan and intent (and if it's within the constraints of your local state laws). In some cases, you would consult with his parents, but that is also contingent on the confidentiality arrangements you have with his family. 

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