MFT Written Questions Correctly
Answered.
Transgenerational MFT - CORRECT ANSWER •Bowen conceptualized the family as an emotional unit, a
network of interlocking relationships, best understood when analyzed within a multi-generational or
historical framework
•A nice bridge between systems work and psychodynamic work
•The attempt to balance two vital, natural, opposing life forces: Family togetherness, and Individual
autonomy
Transgen. 8 Interlocking Self Concepts - CORRECT ANSWER Differentiation of Self
Triangles
Nuclear Family Emotional System
Family Projection Process
Emotional Cutoff
Multigenerational Transmission Process
Sibling Position
Societal Regression
Differentiation of Self - CORRECT ANSWER The extent to which a person is able to distinguish between
the intellectual process and the emotional process of what is being experienced, And to be able to
choose which will guide you. We can see this when clients are able to use I statements correctly, and
when they are able to take some perspective and talk about these (sometimes) opposing forces. When
you don't have this separation between thoughts and feelings, you have fusion.
Triangulation - CORRECT ANSWER Triangulation happens when a third person is drawn into a dyad to
reduce tension - through being invited in, being overflowed onto "accidentally," or by having been
emotionally pre-programmed to intervene
Nuclear Family Emotional System - CORRECT ANSWER SO, people tend to get into relationships with
people who are about as well differentiated as they are themselves. This makes for really healthy (diff-
,diff) pairs and really unhealthy (fus-fus) pairs. The fused pairs tend to fuse with each others' emotions,
too, and then they raise kids who can't escape into differentiation. This usually turns into 1 of 3 things
(next): 1. a physically or psychologically symptomatic partner, 2) chronic, unresolved partner-partner
conflict, 3) psychological symptoms in a child
Family Projection Process - CORRECT ANSWER So, let's be more specific about what kids get from their
parents. Not ALL kids get the multiplied fusion from their parents, but 1 will (the youngest, or the one
who is perceived as the youngest/neediest). Other kids will get something on the continuum, including a
few who will end up better differentiated than either parent (usually the ones who are less targeted by
parents or less exposed to parents)
Emotional Cutoff - CORRECT ANSWER Because kids are born with those two needs, individuality AND
connectedness, in a fused system, they will try to escape somehow.
Multigenerational Transmission Process - CORRECT ANSWER Ppl marry at a similar level of
differentiation. They target at least one child who gets the full brunt of their fusion. These kids marry ppl
who are also at a low level. Then kids, and so on and so forth through many generations.
Sibling Position - CORRECT ANSWER Personality (and understanding of relationship rules and roles)
develops differently for different siblings ie. oldests and onlys tend to be more mature and responsible,
youngests tend to be more dependent and impulsive.
Societal Regression - CORRECT ANSWER Society also has opposing forces toward individuality and
togetherness. When there's a lot of stress (e.g., recession), there's a whoosh of fusion - everybody gets
really anxious, jealous, uncertain.
Goals of Transgen. - CORRECT ANSWER Management of anxiety and relief from symptoms
•Increase in each person's level of differentiation
•Often takes this pattern
-Focus on the marital/family problems and track them in terms of symptoms
-Then SHIFT to focus on the individuals and help them learn differentiation
Transgen. Techniques - CORRECT ANSWER Evaluation Interview
•Genogram
, •Back Home Visits
•Teaching Differentiation
Ellis - CORRECT ANSWER Antecedent → Belief → Consequence (Ex, Bx), so therapist disputes
Big Three Irrational Beliefs - CORRECT ANSWER 1. I MUST, all the time, perform outstandingly well and
win the approval and love of valued others. If I don't, it is awful and I am a bad, bad person. 2. Others
MUST, all the time, treat me kindly and fairly. If they don't, it is awful and they are bad, bad people. 3.
The world MUST be safe, comfortable, easy, and enjoyable for me at all times. If it is not, this is awful,
and I can't bear it.
Beck - CORRECT ANSWER Cognitive distortions (i.e., errors in thinking) MOST COMMON IN MFT
Beck combined cognitive behavior theory with a systems perspective, viewing family interactive patterns
as being equal in importance to cognitions.
Baucom and Epstein identified five cognitive distortions that commonly affect couples
1. Selective perceptions of relational events
2. Distorted attributions about causes of events
3. Inaccurate expectations or predictions of future events
4. Inaccurate assumptions about the general nature of relationships
5. Unrealistic standards to which the relationship is held
Similar to Beck's approach, Baucom and Epstein advocate helping couples examine and modify these
cognitions, developing healthier communication patterns for future interactions.
Catastophizing - CORRECT ANSWER experiencing as unbearable rather than uncomfortable
Mind Reading - CORRECT ANSWER inferring other's thoughts without asking
Polarized Thinking - CORRECT ANSWER black & white thinking
Arbitrary Inference - CORRECT ANSWER jumping to conclusions
