Strategic Therapy

Question 1

Primary Contributers

Answer 1

Haley (left MRI to study with Minuchin)
Madanes –> eventually created Strategic humanism
(Haley formed Family Therapy Institute)

Question 2

directives

Answer 2

small tasks given to create small change SYMBOLIC in nature, they are NONLOGICAL solutions to disrupt the cycle; pretending to have the symptom: asking client todo the symptom

Question 3

paradoxical interventions

Answer 3

instructing the client to engage in the problem bxs, usually used with people who have “uncontrollable” symptoms

Question 4

reframing

Question 5

metaphoric task:

Answer 5

used when it is not appropriate to explicity address a problem

Question 6

pretend to have symtom

Answer 6

do the symptom that they say they have

Question 7

incongruous hierarchies

Question 8

ordeal therapy

Answer 8

do a task before doing the harmful bxs; goal is to disrupt the pattern (e.g. fold your socks before you want to cut)

Question 9

Goals of Strategic Therapy

Answer 9

alter bxs interactions of familiy members/second order change
HIGHLY focused on family structure changes w/ focus on parents;

NO LONG TERM goals other than changing bxs/symptoms and to get family to love without dominating or harming

Question 10

Structure of initial session (highly structured)

Answer 10

BEGINS WITH PHONE CALL: this sets the stage for the relationship and for success in tx; FIRST SESSION (HIGHLY STRUCTURED)

1. social stage: thp joins with client (comfort);
2. problem stage: thp inquires about each person’s perspective, usually starting with father, ensures no one is interuppted and attentively listens;
3. interaction stage: thp observes but does not interpret while noting information about sequences, hierarchings, triangels, and alliances;
4. goal setting stage: learn what solutions have failed (comes from MRI Systemic), focus on here and now and creative successes through directive aimed at small change, and shifts in structure and hierarchy remain an appropriate goal

Question 11

Structure of Middle Session in Strategic Therapy

Answer 11

use interventions here, do not focus so much on marital issues, rather engage in parental roles first to collaborate on helping the child

Question 12

Assumptions of Strategic Therapy

Answer 12

1. symptoms stem from the family organization within the family and serve a function in maintaining homeostasis;
2. emphasis on family life cycle which is a natural positive feedback that occurs in life that disrupt homeostatis(this is when families seek help)

Question 13

Unit of treatmnet in strategic

Answer 13

fewer family members (usualy one or two unless necessary); emphasis on having both parents involved in tx

Question 14

Length of time

Answer 14

brief, but not limited to 10 sessions

Question 15

Role of Therapist in Strategic Therapy

Answer 15

1. thp will align with the parental generation when dealing with child problems; less precise than MRI Systemic outside of first session;
2. Thp is flexible and will shift to needs to client in order to promote change; Thp responsible for change