Inside the 2026, 7th Edition Study Guide’s Table of Contents
Table of Contents
PREFACExv
ABOUT FAMILY SOLUTIONS INSTITUTExvi
ABOUT THE AMFTRB NATIONAL LICENSING EXAMINATIONxix
HOW TO USE THE STUDY GUIDE AND ESTUDY PROGRAMxxiii
50-QUESTION PRE-TESTxxxiii
PART I: HISTORY AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS
CHAPTER 1: THE HISTORY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY1
The Early Years: The 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s1
The Golden Years: The 1970s and 1980s10
Transformation: The 1990s11
The 21st Century and Beyond: New Frontiers in Marriage and Family Therapy15
CHAPTER 2: CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS19
General Systems Theory19
General Living Systems Theory (GLST)20
Cybernetics20
Key Concepts21
Human Systems Theory24
Communication Theory25
PART II: THE SCHOOLS AND MODELS OF FAMILY THERAPY
CHAPTER 3: TRANSGENERATIONAL MODELS31
Bowenian Transgenerational Systems Theory32
Extensions of Bowen’s Model39
The Genogram40
Boszormenyi-Nagy—Contextual Therapy46
Object Relations/Psychodynamic Family Therapy53
James Framo61
CHAPTER 4: STRATEGIC AND SYSTEMIC MODELS69
Strategic Family Therapy69
Overview69
Mental Research Institute (MRI)71
Haley and Madanes79
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)91
Milan Systemic Family Therapy91
Overview91
The Original Milan Model92
Selvini Palazzoli and Prata94
Boscolo and Cecchin94
CHAPTER 5: STRUCTURAL FAMILY THERAPY103
CHAPTER 6: EXPERIENTIAL MODELS113
Carl Whitaker—Symbolic-Experiential Therapy116
Virginia Satir—Human Validation Process Model125
Greenberg and Johnson: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)130
Overview130
CHAPTER 7: CONSTRUCTIVIST MODELS137
Overview137
De Shazer & Berg: Solution-Focused Therapy139
White and Epston: Narrative Therapy143
Collaborative Language Systems152
Karl Tomm—Interventive Questions153
Tom Andersen—The Reflecting Team154
CHAPTER 8: BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL MODELS161
Behavioral Parent Training (Parent Skills Training)165
Behavioral Couples Therapy166
Functional Family Therapy168
Rational Emotive Family Therapy168
Cognitive Family Therapy168
Dialectical Behavior Therapy169
CHAPTER 9: PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL MODELS171
Mental Illness (In-Patient Care)171
Medical Illness177
Family Enrichment177
Marital Enrichment Programs178
Stepfamily Preparation Programs178
Current Developments in Psychoeducational Models179
CHAPTER 10: INTEGRATIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED, AND SYSTEM-EXPANDING APPROACHES IN FAMILY THERAPY183
Internal Family Systems (IFS)184
Metaframeworks Models186
Integrative Problem-Centered Therapy (IPCT)187
Narrative Solutions Approach187
Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy188
Gottman’s Couples Therapy188
The Shift toward Evidence-Based Practice192
Emotionally Focused Therapy193
Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy193
Functional Family Therapy194
Multisystemic Therapy194
Brief Strategic Family Therapy195
Behavioral Couples Therapy for Substance Use Disorders195
Evidence-Based Best Practices196
Expansion of Treatment System: Network Family Therapy198
CHAPTER 11: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FAMILY THERAPY MODELS203
Transgenerational Models203
Strategic Models204
Comparative Analysis: Transgenerational and Strategic206
Structural206
Comparative Analysis: Strategic and Structural207
Experiential208
Comparative Analysis: Modernist Models210
Postmodern Models211
Comparative Analysis: Postmodernist Models214
Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Models215
Comparative Analysis: Behavioral/CBT and Other Schools216
Psychoeducational Models217
Comparative Analysis: Psychoeducational and Other Models218
Integrative Models218
Network220
Comparative Analysis: Network220
PART III: ETHICAL GUIDELINES, PRACTICE DOMAINS, APPLICATIONS OF FAMILY THERAPY
CHAPTER 12: ETHICS225
Sexual Attraction226
Nontraditional Techniques227
Telehealth227
Confidentiality and Electronic Communication228
Internet Therapy229
Ethical Issues in the Digital Age for Marriage and Family Therapists229
Minors in Therapy235
Duty to Report Child Abuse235
Clinical Notes236
Closing a Practice237
Duty to Warn: Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California237
Managed Care239
Legal and Ethical Issues in the Clinical Supervision of MFTs241
AAMFT Ethical Principles244
Revisions of the AAMFT Code of Ethics: January 1, 2026249
CHAPTER 13: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT251
Individual Development – Theories of Personality and Models of Treatment251
Psychoanalytic and Neo-Analytic Theories252
Humanistic Theories256
Behavioral Theory257
Social Learning Theory258
Trait Theories258
Models of Individual Psychotherapy259
Psychoanalytic259
Client-Centered Therapy261
Behavior Therapy261
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)262
Family Development263
Family Stress Theory266
Adoption267
Diverse Family Configurations270
CHAPTER 14: SEXUALITY AND INTIMACY275
Dysfunction276
Cognitive-Behavioral Sex Therapy283
Helen Singer Kaplan – Psychosexual Therapy285
Leslie and Joseph LoPiccolo286
Intimacy287
Intimacy and Differentiation287
Sexual Dysfunction: A Transactional Perspective289
CHAPTER 15: COUPLES IN COUPLE THERAPY293
Premarital and Newlywed Relationship293
Infertility294
Infidelity296
Divorce Mediation298
Child Custody303
Same-Sex Couples305
Overview305
CHAPTER 16: ILLNESS AND PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY313
Medical Family Therapy313
Sexual Medical Conditions Affecting Couples and Families314
Aging and Medicine318
Psychopharmacology: Medical Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders319
CHAPTER 17: EATING DISORDERS AND PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS327
Eating Disorders327
Psychosomatic Illness340
CHAPTER 18: DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE345
Depression346
Suicide Assessment and Prevention349
Overview349
CHAPTER 19: DYING, LOSS, AND GRIEF355
The Dying Patient356
Bereavement357
Adult Bereavement358
Child and Adolescent Bereavement360
Bereavement and Culture363
Complicated Bereavement365
CHAPTER 20: FAMILY VIOLENCE – PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE371
Abuse of Intimate Partners373
Sibling Abuse389
Child Abuse390
Clinical Considerations401
CHAPTER 21: ADDICTION403
Substance Use Disorders404
Behavioral Addictions406
Etiology407
Addiction and Families416
Family Therapy with Addiction419
Diversity and Cultural Factors424
CHAPTER 22: CRISIS MANAGEMENT427
CHAPTER 23: CULTURAL DIVERSITY: ETHNICITY, GENDER, ABILITY, AND SPIRITUALITY459
Ethnicity461
Gender466
Gender-Sensitive Therapy468
Ableism/Disability470
Spirituality476
CHAPTER 24: DIAGNOSIS AND ASSESSMENT479
Domains of Assessment479
Individual Psychopathology and DSM-5-TR481
High-Yield DSM-5-TR Distinctions for the AMFTRB Licensing Exam493
Formal Assessment Tools494
Self-Report Measures495
Premarital Personal and Relational Evaluation: PREPARE/ENRICH496
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Personality Inventory (MBTI)496
Cultural Formulation Interview497
Observational Methods498
Global Assessment of Relational Functioning (GARF)500
CHAPTER 25: RESEARCH: BUILDING THEORY AND EVALUATING THERAPY503
Marital and Family Research: History, Concepts, and Trends503
Marital and Family Therapy Outcome Research505
Clinical Implications517
CHAPTER 26: THERAPIST SELF-CARE: PREVENTING BURNOUT AND COMPASSION FATIGUE523
Occupational Stress in Marriage and Family Therapy523
Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Secondary Traumatic Stress524
Warning Signs and Self-Monitoring525
The Therapist as Participant526
Personal Reactions in Clinical Work526
Boundary Profiles and Therapist Identity526
Boundaries and Workload Management527
Risk, Responsibility, and Sustainability of Practice527
Risk Management and Therapist Safety528
Financial Well-being and Sustainability of Practice529
Cultural and Systemic Considerations530
Professional Supports and Ethical Practice531
Supervision, Consultation, and Personal Therapy531
Impairment as Ethical Action532
Therapist Self-Care Frameworks533
Foundations of Sustainable Practice534
Cultural, Social, and Individual Considerations534
Developing a Personal Self-Care Plan535
PART IV: APPENDICES, GLOSSARY, AND REFERENCES
APPENDIX A: PRE-TEST ANSWERS AND DISCUSSION539
APPENDIX B: LICENSING AND REGISTRATION BOARDS553
APPENDIX C: AMFTRB EXAMINATION BLUEPRINT AND WEIGHTING563
APPENDIX D: HIPAA565
APPENDIX E: MENTAL STATUS FORM577
GLOSSARY581
REFERENCES649