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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

AMFTRB MFT Exam Questions

Page 8 of 25

141.

The BEST definition of client autonomy is:

  • Respecting a client's inherent right to make choices and act on those choices independently

  • Working to benefit others positively

  • Maintaining a sense of loyalty and upholding promises

  • Providing equal treatment despite external circumstances

Correct answer: Respecting a client's inherent right to make choices and act on those choices independently

Respecting a client's inherent right to make choices and act on those choices independently is the best definition of autonomy. 

Working to benefit others positively is a form of beneficence. 

Maintaining promises and loyalty is best described as fidelity. 

Equal treatment is a form of justice.

142.

Which of the following is TRUE when examining differences between OCD and eating disorders?

  • Both may include obsessive and compulsive behavior, but they are limited to food and weight when it comes to eating disorders.

  • Eating disorders do not typically consist of compulsive behavior.

  • Eating disorders are a subtype of OCD.

  • Both may include obsessive and compulsive disorder, but people with OCD do not have insight into their behaviors. 

Correct answer: Both may include obsessive and compulsive behavior, but they are limited to food and weight when it comes to eating disorders.

Both OCD and eating disorders may entail obsessive thoughts and rituals, but they are exclusive to food and weight when it comes to eating disorders. Eating disorders DO consist of compulsive behaviors. An ED would not be a subtype of OCD. Finally, most individuals with OCD have good insight into their behavior/condition. 

143.

You are working from a Satir Human Validation Process Model framework when intervening with a new family. The mother, Carol, states that she strongly believes her daughter, Janie, has depression. Janie states that she agrees with her mother. Based on this information, you should NEXT:

  • Explore how the family system may contribute to depression

  • Thoroughly assess Janie for depression 

  • Assess Janie for suicidal ideation

  • Engage in a genogram 

Correct answer: Explore how the family system may contribute to depression

Satir was non-pathologizing and did not necessarily engage in individual diagnoses (as her framework was far more systemic). Thus, it would make sense to explore the family's role in her symptoms. 

You might still assess Janie, but you would also want to have the family involved. At this time, we don't have enough information to assess her for suicidal ideation right off the bat. Satir did not use genograms in her work. 

144.

In Bowen's Family Systems, what is the BEST definition of the differential phase? 

  • Increasing levels of autonomy 

  • Increasing awareness of family patterns 

  • Increasing patterns of togetherness

  • Increasing the parental subsystem 

Correct answer: Increasing levels of autonomy 

Increasing levels of autonomy (a form of differentiation) are one of the main goals of Bowenian family therapy.

Increasing awareness of patterns and togetherness represents other Bowenian goals. Increasing the parental subsystem is more of a structural family therapy goal. 

145.

Which of the following conditions is a client MOST susceptible to just after experiencing a crisis?

  • Acute stress disorder 

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder

  • Depersonalization disorder

  • Generalized anxiety disorder 

Correct answer: Acute stress disorder

Clients are most vulnerable to acute stress disorder, as these symptoms occur right after an incident (but dissipate by one month). 

Posttraumatic stress disorder is possible, but symptoms must persist for at least one month. Depersonalization disorder tends to be rare. Generalized anxiety disorder may happen, but it is rarely in response to just a singular event, as symptoms are inherently more global. 

146.

All the following are generally true about brief therapy, EXCEPT:

  • It should be used only after eliminating the need for long-term therapy

  • It tends to focus on present problems

  • It tends to emphasize efficient problem-solving

  • It can be used with families, couples, and individuals

Correct answer: It should be used only after eliminating the need for long-term therapy

Brief therapy can be highly effective, and some therapists only practice from this framework. Thus, they would not "eliminate the need" for long-term therapy for each client.

It's true that this work often focuses on present problems and strives to solve issues efficiently. It can also be used with families, couples, and individuals.

147.

You are working with James, a 32-year-old single male who frequently feels frustrated by his experiences with dating. He complains that he's been meeting women who "expect expensive dates," which he states often clashes with his preference towards frugality. He reports getting upset when they don't want to split a meal or eat lunch instead of dinner to save money.  James tells you that he doesn't know why these women are acting "so shallow." As a solution-focused therapist, you would BEST conceptualize James's situation as:

  • Him being a complainant

  • Him being a visitor

  • Him being a customer

  • Him being a victim 

Correct answer: Him being a complainant

James is quick to blame women (and acknowledge a problem with dating), but he doesn't address his part in the problem and sees no desire to change.

The visitor isn't interested in change, and often only comes to treatment to appease someone else (which doesn't appear to be the case here). A customer acknowledges the problem and wants to do what he can to solve it.  'Victim' is not a term used by solution-focused therapists. 

148.

All the following are TRUE when a client poses a serious risk of violence towards others, EXCEPT: 

  • Therapists must notify the client about the actions they will take. 

  • Therapists should document everything in writing. 

  • Therapists must alert the appropriate authorities.

  • Therapists must notify the intended victim.

Correct answer: Therapists must notify the client about the actions they will take. 

In instances of 'duty to protect,' therapists can use discretion when notifying clients about the actions they will take. 

It is not mandatory to inform them. It is true that therapists should document the details appropriately and they must alert the appropriate authorities and intended victim.

149.

Lindsey (24) is referred to work with you. During her intake session, she cites that she often feels worried about her loved ones dying. She finds it hard to sleep at night because she also worries about being able to pay the bills and whether she will need to file for bankruptcy. 

Lindsey states that others often find her worrying "dramatic and excessive."  To some extent, she agrees, but she indicates that she doesn't know how to change her feelings or stop the anxiety, as she's been struggling with this for years. 

Given this situation, you would MOST likely diagnose Lindsey with:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder

  • Specific phobia

  • Panic disorder

  • Obsessive compulsive disorder

Correct answer: Generalized anxiety disorder

Lindsey meets the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder.  She worries excessively about several things, and this has occurred for over six months. Lindsey also finds it difficult to control the worry, as she states she cannot stop it. These symptoms align with generalized anxiety disorder. 

We have no indication of panic attacks (panic disorder) or specific phobic symptoms (as her anxieties appear to be more global). 

We also do not see evidence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as Lindsey's symptoms are not characterized primarily by obsessive thoughts and attempts to neutralize these thoughts through compulsions. 

She more so experiences excessive, global anxiety, in line with generalized anxiety disorder.

150.

If you are assessing a client for gambling disorder, you might ask all the following questions, EXCEPT:

  • How many times have you won big while gambling?

  • Have you attempted to cut down your gambling in the past?

  • Have you ever lied to someone about your gambling?

  • Do you typically gamble when you feel depressed or anxious?

Correct answer: How many times have you won big while gambling? 

This answer is irrelevant to gambling disorder. It wouldn't matter how many times a client has "won" or "lost." 

A gambling disorder is marked by significant but unsuccessful efforts to cut down on gambling, gambling when in a distressed mood, and lying/concealing gambling to others.

All of these options would be relevant when assessing for gambling disorder.

151.

When engaging in 'parent management training,' the interventions:

  • occur at home and are implemented directly by the parents.

  • occur at home and are implemented directly by the therapist.

  • occur at school and are implemented directly by the therapist.

  • occur in the therapy office and are implemented directly by the therapist and parents together.

Correct answer: occur at home and are implemented directly by the parents.

Parent management training occurs at home and the interventions are taught by the parents (not the therapist). 

It would not take place at the school or in a professional office. 

152.

Which of the following theorists used family sculpting as an intervention when working with families? 

  • Virginia Satir

  • John Bowlby

  • Salvador Minuchin

  • Murray Bowen

Correct answer: Virginia Satir

Virginia Satir introduced the concept of family sculpting, where family members 'sculpt' the family in ways they best see fit. 

The other answers are all different theorists, but none of them introduced this concept or mention it as an intervention in their work. 

153.

Trent is a 22-year-old college student who was referred to you after being placed on academic probation. During his intake session, he states that he is currently "very depressed" and has "no motivation to do anything." He states that this depression happens fairly often, and that it usually disappears after a few weeks. He states that, a few times a year, he has short periods (about 5–6 days) where he feels immense surges of energy. During these "surges," he tends to become very disciplined, doesn't need a lot of sleep, and engages in a lot of promiscuous activity. He states that he prefers those surges because he's productive, and he wishes that was his "constant state." He states that, while he sometimes regrets having sex after, nothing bad has happened as a result of having more energy.

Based on this information, you would MOST likely give Trent a preliminary diagnosis of:

  • Bipolar II disorder

  • Bipolar I disorder

  • Cyclothymic disorder

  • Major depressive disorder 

Correct answer: Bipolar II disorder

Trent has enough symptoms to justify bipolar II disorder with this information. The patient shows symptoms of a hypomanic episode. He would not meet criteria for a manic episode (as seen in bipolar I disorder), as symptoms have not lasted at least one week, and there is no indication he has required hospitalization to manage symptoms. The client also mentions being depressed, falling in line with the criteria for bipolar II disorder, which requires both a hypomanic and a major depressive episode.

It does not appear Trent has had a manic episode (severe impairment or needing hospitalization), so he does not meet criteria for a bipolar I diagnosis.

A diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder requires symptoms lasting a minimum duration of two years. We do not have information that Trent's symptoms have lasted this long. Furthermore, to be diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder, a person cannot meet full criteria for a major depressive episode or a hypomanic episode at any point. Since it appears Trent has met criteria for both episodes, cyclothymic disorder does not apply.

Finally, major depressive disorder is not the most likely diagnosis, as Trent also has hypomanic symptoms, which are not a part of major depressive disorder.

154.

In cases of suspected child abuse, a therapist "acts in good faith" when they:

  • report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

  • comprehensively assess for suspected abuse or neglect.

  • collaborate with other treatment team professionals to assess the child's safety.

  • obtain absolute certainty that child abuse has occurred.

Correct answer: report suspected cases of abuse or neglect.

Acting "in good faith" refers to reporting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect if they have reasonable cause. Marriage and family therapists should properly assess, but no state requires that reporters must be absolutely certain about abuse occurring. 

155.

The final phase of psychotherapy is BEST defined as:

  • Termination

  • Later phase

  • Extinction

  • Last session

Correct answer: Termination

Termination is the general term used to describe the "end" of psychotherapy. 

The later phase tends to come just before termination. 

Extinction is not a term used for this process. 

Last session is part of the final phase, but it falls under the umbrella of termination.

156.

In structural family therapy, mimesis can be BEST described as: 

  • Embracing and implementing the family's communication style 

  • Building rapport with the family

  • Preparing for enactments with the family

  • Challenging family assumptions 

Correct answer: Embracing and implementing the family's communication style 

Mimesis refers to a therapist implementing the family's affect, communication style, and general way of being. 

The other answers refer to different structural family therapy interventions that a therapist might use in the session. 

157.

As a Milan Systemic therapist, your pre-session goal would BEST consist of: 

  • Establishing an initial hypothesis without the family present

  • Establishing an initial hypothesis together with the family

  • Deciding the best intervention to use to treat the family 

  • Debriefing the overall success of the intervention used 

Correct answer: Establishing an initial hypothesis without the family present

Establishing an initial hypothesis without the family present is the pre-session goal. 

Establishing an initial hypothesis together with the family is part of the 'session phase.' Deciding the best intervention to use to treat the family is part of the 'intercession phase.' Debriefing the overall success of the intervention used is part of the 'post-session discussion.'

158.

Nikki (24) comes to you after recently being released from a psychiatric hospital following a suicide attempt. Nikki states that she wasn't "actually trying to hurt herself" but that her "last therapist was overly dramatic." Nikki reports a volatile history with past therapists and states that she can never really trust them because they always abandon her. She states she feels the same way with romantic partners. When asked about her coping skills, Nikki laughs and says that she tends to "cut herself" when she gets stressed or "have sex with random guys." Based on this information, you would MOST LIKELY diagnose Nikki with:

  • Borderline personality disorder

  • Histrionic personality disorder

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder

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

Correct answer: Borderline personality disorder

Nikki has enough symptoms to meet the criteria for borderline personality disorder. 

A further assessment would be needed to rule out histrionic personality disorder, as we don't have enough information to substantiate that diagnosis. We also have no mentioned history of past trauma, ruling out PTSD.  

159.

Your client is arrested for assault and battery. The client's lawyer requests that you turn over your client's records. Ethically speaking, you should NEXT:

  • Review the appropriate statutes in the state where you practice 

  • Assert client privilege

  • Turn over your records

  • Consult with a judge 

Correct answer: Review the appropriate statutes in the state where you practice 

Each state has different guidelines for reporting and even discussing criminal activity. You should review your state's policies first. 

You would not automatically turn over records, assert privilege, or consult with a judge before taking that step. 

160.

The Circumplex Model identifies various levels of flexibility. All the following are key levels, EXCEPT:

  • Organized 

  • Chaos

  • Rigid

  • Structured

Correct answer: Organized 

Organized is not an identified level of flexibility. 

Chaos, rigid, and structured are listed levels.

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