Cultural Considerations in the MFT Exam

🌟 Study Tip #4

Today’s study tip is uncomfortable, but it’s unfortunately a necessary part of passing your MFT exam.

When determining the best answer to each exam question, you have to take your thoughtful, intelligent, “kindness-to-all” therapist hat off… and briefly turn stereotypical thinking on.

I know — it feels icky. As clinicians, we know that each individual or family’s situation is their own. We know the harm stereotypes can bring to various races and cultures. We are even trained in it!

But in the context of your exam, thinking in stereotypes will guide better to what the exam creators are testing of you… cultural awareness. Then, with this perspective in mind, this thinking helps you better determine the “right" answer.

## Breaking it Down with Examples

For example, think about how specific races or cultures are portrayed in popular media:

• - A stereotype about Italian or African Americans would mirror movies like the Godfather or Boyz n the Hood, with mafia or gang violence, crime, and loud, boisterous families.

• - Stereotypes about Native American teens may mirror drug use and high school dropout rates, and Asian women as docile and submissive… each to the point of self-detriment or even self-harm.

• - Latino and Middle Eastern families as super religious and patriarchal to the point of various family conflicts.

Again, all as portrayed by various (inaccurate) media and fiction representations.

In other words, if a question mentions a subject’s culture or ethnicity, it’s probably relevant to the answer.

As such, if the question states a Jewish couple, an Asian woman, or African American boy, for example, the exam creators want you to take that culture, ethnicity and (*sigh*) said stereotypes into consideration for your answer.

## Applying Cultural Sensitivity as a Tool

So, linking certain behaviors to a particular culture will help you make connections on the exam for the right answer.

Cultural sensitivity and appreciation are a beautiful part of the human experience, let alone how we treat other people in our personal and professional lives, and, of course, how we practice good therapy. As we work to best understand where our clients are coming from and how that relates to their lives, experiences, values, and needs, never forget this.

But in the context of the exam, we have to put that to the side… aka taking part in engaging offensive stereotypes.

Just remember, it’s only for a mere moment in time, and doesn’t actually represent, even in this exam, your therapeutic knowledge or who you are as a therapist.

In short… engage stereotypical thinking, as a tool of perspective, just for the exam. Then disengage the moment you’re finished.

You got this. 🌟