MFT Therapy Exam Prep 2026
Practice Test

Sarah (45) comes to therapy without enthusiasm, at the request of her partner, David (43). Sarah mentions that David is frustrated with her constant suspicion toward their colleagues and neighbors. Sarah reveals she is exceedingly concerned about being exploited due to her recent inheritance from a wealthy relative. She expresses distrust towards her close friends and family, believing they might try to manipulate her for financial gain. From her childhood, she recalls distrusting her cousins who she suspected of taking her belongings. Sarah dresses modestly and opts to live in their old apartment despite their financial capability to move to a more spacious home. She also accuses David of being unfaithful. When the session ends, she skeptically remarks that you are only interested in her for her money. Based on this information, you would MOST LIKELY diagnose Sarah with:

Tom is a 35-year-old man who schedules a consultation because he is deeply concerned about his 7-year-old son, Max. Max was excited about starting school but has recently been having severe separation anxiety, refusing to go to school, and crying excessively when his parents drop him off. Based on this information, you would MOST LIKELY diagnose Max with:

All the following are subtypes of eating disorders, EXCEPT:

John is a 45-year-old male who has been experiencing frequent migraines and recently began seeing a new primary care physician. John tells his doctor that he often feels like there's someone else controlling his thoughts and actions. He reports hearing voices multiple times a day, which tell him to do harmful things. John appears highly anxious and distressed while describing his experiences. His medical history indicates that these symptoms started about ten years ago and have progressively worsened. Based on this information, you would MOST likely diagnose John with:

David, a 32-year-old male, recently started seeing a therapist due to stress at work. During the sessions, David reveals that he often feels overwhelmed by thoughts that he may suddenly become paralyzed, even though he has never shown any symptoms of paralysis. He mentions that he frequently visits specialists for various tests to ensure his nervous system is functioning properly. Despite these reassurances, David continues to worry excessively about developing paralysis or some other serious neurological condition. Based on this information, his therapist would MOST likely diagnose David with:

All the following are TRUE about individuals with panic disorder EXCEPT:

The Family Life Cycle model includes several stages that families typically go through. All the following are primary stages EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements about managing crises in a family therapy context is FALSE?

During a session, Lila (30) shares that she feels overwhelmed due to losing her job and experiencing a recent breakup. She mentions that sometimes she thinks it would be easier if she wasn't around. As a family therapist working from a crisis intervention approach, you should NEXT respond by:

Which of the following is TRUE when it comes to considering how family dynamics play a role in managing crises?

All the following tasks should be performed during the joining phase of structural family therapy EXCEPT:

Mark and Lisa normally decide which activities their family will participate in during weekends. Sometimes, however, they ask their children for suggestions. Every few weeks, they let the kids choose a family outing. This dynamic BEST represents:

All the following are key components of solution-focused brief therapy EXCEPT:

According to Murray Bowen's Family Systems Theory, all the following represent major concepts in the theory EXCEPT:

In the context of systemic family therapy, the term 'strength-based approach' is BEST described as:

What concept BEST defines 'family norms' within systemic therapy?

All the following are common approaches in couples therapy, EXCEPT:

You are conducting family therapy with the Smith family: parents Jane and Michael, and their teenage son, Ryan. During family discussions about Ryan's academic performance, Michael often dismisses Jane's concerns by saying, "You're overreacting," and occasionally leaves the room in frustration. According to the Gottman Method, Michael is MOST LIKELY displaying which interactional pattern?

You are a Bowen family systems therapist working primarily with couples. You likely operate under each of the following assumptions EXCEPT:

Which of the following is ethically TRUE about dual relationships in therapy, EXCEPT:

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) impacts marriage and family therapists in which of the following ways:

John is a therapist at a private practice. He begins sessions with Elena, a 25-year-old who's struggling with her sexual orientation. During their fourth session, Elena mentions she's considering coming out to her family. John, who has strong conservative beliefs, acknowledges that his beliefs should not affect Elena's decision. Nonetheless, he provides her with materials emphasizing the potential family conflicts that may arise from coming out. In doing so, John potentially breached which ethical principle?

In cases of suspected domestic violence, a family therapist "acts in good faith" when they:

A female therapist tweets about a high-profile celebrity, alleging that this person exhibits symptoms of borderline personality disorder. In her tweet, she elaborates on behaviors she believes are indicative of this disorder. This therapist may have created a potential ethical issue by:

Which of the following MOST accurately describes an ethical boundary issue in a therapeutic setting?

You are working with a client, Lisa (30), who is undergoing therapy due to a recent job loss which has triggered her depression. During sessions, whenever the topic of finding a new job comes up, Lisa becomes visibly distressed, often crying intensely and saying, "I just can't handle this...I can't think about this." Her reaction BEST highlights:

In which type of therapy would a therapist likely engage in individual sessions with a parent while still involving the child in the therapeutic process?

A cognitive-behavioral therapist is working with a young adult woman experiencing anxiety. The woman reports feeling "overwhelmed by daily responsibilities and constant worrying." She believes therapy hasn't been effective in the past but wants to give it another try. This therapist would MOST LIKELY create a middle-phase treatment goal that consists of:

You have been asked to provide couples counseling for a married pair who struggles to communicate effectively. During the first session, the husband attends alone and states that his wife is busy and will try to attend future sessions. As a systemic therapist, you might do all the following EXCEPT:

How does the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) currently view the practice of using mindfulness techniques to treat anxiety?