Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

What is the focus of Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT)?

1. Setting strict boundaries in family discussions

2. Viewing family members as part of the problem

3. Encouraging only one family member to express feelings

4. Discouraging behavioral changes

The correct answer is: Viewing family members as part of the problem

Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT) primarily focuses on understanding and addressing the interactions and behaviors of family members as contributing factors to the issues they face. By viewing family members as part of the problem, BFT emphasizes that the behaviors of each individual are interconnected and can affect the overall dynamics within the family unit. This perspective allows therapists to identify specific behavioral patterns that contribute to dysfunction and to facilitate change through targeted interventions. In BFT, the goal is not merely to assign blame but to engage all members in understanding their roles and interactions, leading to healthier family dynamics. By recognizing that everyone plays a part in the family's challenges, therapy can promote cooperative strategies and solutions, helping to create more effective communication and relationships within the family. Other approaches, such as encouraging only one family member to express feelings or setting strict boundaries in discussions, do not align with the premise of BFT, which prioritizes collective engagement and behavioral change. Similarly, discouraging behavioral changes contradicts the fundamental aim of BFT, which seeks to modify unhelpful behaviors to improve family functioning.