Strategic Intervention

Symptoms maintain balance Symptoms maintain balance Symptoms reflect dynamics in family Symptoms reflect dynamics in family When symptoms are cured there is always a consequence When symptoms are cured there is always a consequence

Strategic Intervention - Hierarchy Examine distribution of power Examine distribution of power Examine who tells who what to do Examine who tells who what to do Illustrate that when hierarchal arrangements are confused, then individual shows symptoms Illustrate that when hierarchal arrangements are confused, then individual shows symptoms Examine if there is hierarchal incongruity – this is when families have two conflicting hierarchies – for example does child take on more dominant hierarchy or power than parents Examine if there is hierarchal incongruity – this is when families have two conflicting hierarchies – for example does child take on more dominant hierarchy or power than parents

Strategic Intervention Transitions Points in Life Courtship Courtship Marriage Marriage Childbirth Childbirth Middle Marriage Middle Marriage Weaning Parents From Children Weaning Parents From Children Retirement and Old Age Retirement and Old Age

Strategic Intervention Symptoms/problems occur when there is dislocation or interruption in the family life cycle Symptoms/problems occur when there is dislocation or interruption in the family life cycle Control and influence seen as key motivations for problems in families Control and influence seen as key motivations for problems in families

Goals of Strategic Intervention Goal of Therapy is to Move People to Next Stage of Family Life Goal of Therapy is to Move People to Next Stage of Family Life Goal of Therapy to address power struggles Goal of Therapy to address power struggles Goal of Therapy prevent repetitive behavior that is harmful Goal of Therapy prevent repetitive behavior that is harmful Prevent coalitions across generational lines Prevent coalitions across generational lines Alter Interaction Styles Alter Interaction Styles

Structure of Strategic Interviews (Social Stage) observe mood, organization, relationship dynamics (Social Stage) observe mood, organization, relationship dynamics (Problem Stage) get perspective of each member (Problem Stage) get perspective of each member (Interaction Stage) watch family discussion of problem, observe interaction patterns (Interaction Stage) watch family discussion of problem, observe interaction patterns (Goal Setting) highlight and clarify problem, address goals, means of measuring change, assign directive or homework, feedback from this determines next intervention (Goal Setting) highlight and clarify problem, address goals, means of measuring change, assign directive or homework, feedback from this determines next intervention

Strategic Techniques Offer tasks Offer tasks Emphasize things in present not past/future Emphasize things in present not past/future Argue for 10 minutes each night (accentuate problem deliberately) Argue for 10 minutes each night (accentuate problem deliberately) Assess how directives affect family Assess how directives affect family

Use of Paradoxical Injunction Continue problem behavior so client rebels against therapist Continue problem behavior so client rebels against therapist Compliance Based - you worry at a set period each day so you don’t worry other times Compliance Based - you worry at a set period each day so you don’t worry other times Defiance Based - parents ask permission from child before making rules Defiance Based - parents ask permission from child before making rules Exposure Based - father gives girl quarter every time she defies mom Exposure Based - father gives girl quarter every time she defies mom Control Based - ask couple to ague 20 minutes so they know how they start and stop argument Control Based - ask couple to ague 20 minutes so they know how they start and stop argument

Ordeal Therapy More trouble to maintain system than give it up More trouble to maintain system than give it up Give present to someone before you argue with them Give present to someone before you argue with them Rearrange furniture before you argue Rearrange furniture before you argue

Pretend Techniques Enact feared situation Enact feared situation Have others respond Have others respond Realize it is not so bad Realize it is not so bad