When I coach for the MFT exam, I often get asked if it is necessary to know your theories thoroughly. The answer is yes. The theories and models of Family and Couple Therapy are a foundational element to Marriage and Family Therapy. I frequently recommend for those studying their theories to create a chart. By creating a chart, you will be able to see the similarities and differences between each theory–this helps for those questions on the exam where all four options are similar.Â
Creating your chart: I would include all theories on the left hand side. I would start with Psychodynamic and work your way up through all the theories up to Postmodernism. While you are at it, add in couples therapy like EFT and Integrative. Add in DBT and Internal Family Systems…other theories we don’t often connect to family therapy like CBT, RET, Feminist Theory, etc.
Important headings you will want to include are:
Who is the founder? One or two main founders of the theory is plenty. I always recommend adding this heading only because I have occasionally seen a question like “What would Minuchin do?” instead of referencing structural, or “What would a Bowenian therapist do FIRST?” instead of calling it Extended Family Systems.
What are the Key Concepts/Key Terms? This might be the most important heading in my opinion. In addition to knowing the key terms for each theory, you need to know what those key terms mean. These are often names for the theory’s interventions, action steps, process, or goals.Â
What is the primary goal? Most often, this only needs to be a sentence or two. For example, for Extended Family Systems, it would only be important to include the primary goals of therapy are to alleviate chronic anxiety and other symptoms and raise each family member’s level of differentiation.Â
What are the beginning, middle, and end stages of treatment? This might be more clear for some theories than others. Maybe it is only necessary to know the process and techniques, however some questions can get specific with needing to know what intervention would be used in the middle stage of treatment, for example.Â
I’ve heard from many customers I have worked with over the years that they have to recreate their charts multiple times due to adding in information over the course of their study plan. I love that! Make your chart messy, add in notes, examples from practice questions, information from videos you watch, etc. Creating and recreating charts are active forms of studying. This will help with your retention of these theories!
Having trouble understanding a certain theory or concept even after reading and studying? Watch that theory or intervention in action on YouTube. I used to always struggle with understanding how a paradoxical intervention looked when utilized until I saw it in action. Now it makes much more sense!
What has helped you to learn all the different theories and modalities of Marriage and Family Therapy? And other headings that you would add to your chart? Share in the comments below. We can all learn from one another!