Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

In contextual family therapy, debts are tracked in what manner?

1. Through emotional bonds

2. By ledger sheets that list entitlements and debts

3. By narrative storytelling

4. Through family counseling sessions

The correct answer is: By ledger sheets that list entitlements and debts

In contextual family therapy, the tracking of debts and entitlements is a key component of the approach. This tracking typically involves the use of ledger sheets that explicitly list these debts and entitlements, providing a tangible framework for understanding the relational dynamics within the family. The concept of "debts" in this context refers to emotional and relational obligations that family members owe one another, which can be positively or negatively charged. By using a ledger system, therapists can help families visualize these dynamics, making it easier to identify patterns of give-and-take, fairness, and justice within their relationships. This method allows therapists to help families assess their interactions and explore issues of accountability and responsibility, fostering healthier communication and engagement among family members. Other methods, such as emotional bonds, narrative storytelling, or family counseling sessions, may be utilized in therapy but do not specifically focus on the systematic tracking of entitlements and debts as directly as the ledger sheet approach does. Hence, the use of ledger sheets aligns closely with the principles of contextual family therapy, emphasizing the importance of clarity and transparency in relationships.