Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

Which family therapy concept is illustrated when a client reveals a previously unshared marital crisis?

1. Family rituals

2. Family secrets

3. Family communication patterns

4. Family resilience

The correct answer is: Family secrets

The concept illustrated when a client reveals a previously unshared marital crisis is family secrets. In family therapy, secrets refer to significant information that family members choose not to share with others, often due to fear of judgment, shame, or the potential for conflict. When a client discloses a hidden marital crisis, it highlights how such secrets can impact family dynamics and individual relationships within the family unit. Revealing these secrets can serve as a pivotal moment in therapy, as it allows for open dialogue and the opportunity to address underlying issues that may have been affecting the family. Exploring family secrets can lead to increased awareness and understanding among family members, promoting healing and fostering healthier interactions. Other concepts like family rituals, communication patterns, and resilience do not focus specifically on the aspect of previously unshared information and its impact on family dynamics. Family rituals pertain to established practices or traditions within a family, family communication patterns relate to the ways family members interact and communicate, and family resilience refers to the ability of a family to cope with stress and adversity.