1. Two Mini Workshops In One: Preparing for the AMFTRB Test and Diagnosis and Assessment Dale E. Bertram, PhD Dean, School of Human Services Amridge University

2. Helpful Resources AMFTRB Test Handbook (Start at page 6 and study it to the end) http://www.amftrb.org/PDF/info4candidate.p df http://www.amftrb.org/PDF/info4candidate.p df Gehart and Tuttle-Theory Based Treatment Planning for Marriage and Family Therapists. Suzanne Hanna’s-Practice of Family Therapy: Key Elements Across Models (4 th edition).

3. More Helpful Resources Becvar and Becvar “Family Therapy: A Systemic Integration” (7 th edition). Nichols: “Family Therapy Concepts and Methods” (9 th edition) AMFT Code of Ethics Family Solutions Institute Products- http://www.mftlicense.com/main/default.aspx

4. Tips for Taking the Test Make sure you understand the question before looking at the answers. If you do not know the answer to the question, try to eliminate those choices which obviously aren’t correct. If you’re guessing, it only makes sense to increase the likelihood of guessing correctly in this way.

5. A Strategy For Preparing Study with the AMFTRB Test Handbook in hand (page 6 to the end). Much of the test is focused on assessment and intervention from particular models. Thus, as you read through chapters one and two of Hanna, think about how the models apply to the Nelson family. As you read through Gehart and Tuttle ask yourself, how do I assess and intervene from each model.

6. A Strategy for Preparing As you watch movies, television, or watch a Youtube video, begin making sense of the interactions you see based upon the various models. My supervisees throughout the years have let me know this was a very important component to passing the test.

7. Preparing for the Code of Ethics Anticipate the types of questions that will be asked. Informed consent, duty to warn, dual relationships, expert witness testimony, recommendations in child custody cases, etc. http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/legal_e thics/code_of_ethics.aspx (Link to Code) http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/legal_e thics/code_of_ethics.aspx

8. Preparing for the Code of Ethics http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/legal_e thics/Ethics_Fact_Sheets.aspx (Ethics Fact Sheet). http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/legal_e thics/Ethics_Fact_Sheets.aspx http://www.aamft.org/imis15/Content/Legal_ Ethics/Legal_Fact.aspx (Legal Facts Sheet) http://www.aamft.org/imis15/Content/Legal_ Ethics/Legal_Fact.aspx Really know Principles One, Two, Three, Seven…Many of the Ethics Questions Will Come from these areas.

9. DSM IV TR The following suggestions focus on using the DSM IV TR to prepare. I have the appropriate page numbers included from the hardcopy of the DSM IV TR. The Decision Trees are Helpful to Review for differential diagnosis (pp. 745-757). Be familiar with the types of information that is placed on each axis (p.27-34). Although it won’t probably be on the test, it is a good idea to review how to record the results of a DSM IV Multiaxial Evaluation (p. 35).

10. Several Hints for Preparing For Diagnosis and Assessment Know the first page or two of each chapter pretty well. It gives a good overview of the chapter and gives a brief definition of each diagnosis in the DSM. Review how to assess for whether a disorder is substance induced. Review how to record a disorder that is due to a general medical condition. Use the Handout from Drude, Bertram, Dvorak

11. Mood Disorders Know the building blocks for many of these disorders (manic, hypomanic, mixed, major depressive episodes). If a person has ever had a manic, mixed, or hypomanic episode across the lifespan, then the person can never be diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. A person with a major depressive disorder has never had a manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode.

12. Mood Disorders Bipolar II Disorder-Person has never experienced a Manic or Mixed Episode, only hypomanic and major depressive episodes. Major Depressive Disorder-Person has experienced a Major Depressive Episode, but never a manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode.

13. Personality Disorders Recorded on Axis II General Criteria for Personality Disorders (p. 689). Each Personality Disorder has its specific criteria set, but all of them have a criterion of a pervasive pattern….beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.

14. Disorders First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence You will probably see some of these on the test. Read pages 39-41 of the DSM to get an overview. Remember Mental Retardation is recorded on Axis II. The other disorders in this chapter are recorded on Axis I. Remember: “All DSM IV TR Mental Disorders are recorded on Axis I, with the exception of Mental Retardation and Personality Disorders which are recorded on Axis II.”

15. Substance Related Disorders Know General Criteria for Substance Dependence (pp. 197-198). Know General Criteria for Substance Abuse (p. 199). Know General Criteria for Substance Intoxication (p. 201). Know General Criteria for Substance Withdrawal (p. 202).

16. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders General Overview pp. 297-298. Criteria Set for Schizophrenia (pp. 312-313). You will likely have a question about schizophrenia.

17. Please Contact Me, If I Can Further Assist You Email: dalemft@yahoo.comdalemft@yahoo.com Telephone: 334-387-7834 If you have interest in the Amridge PhD Program in MFT, I also invite you to contact me at the above telephone number.