CHAPTER 13: Strategic Family Therapies Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice 6th Edition Samuel T. Gladding Developed by Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Overview Overview of Strategic Family Therapy Influence of Milton Erickson Major theorists Premises of the theory Techniques Roles of the therapist Processes and Outcomes Uniqueness of the Therapy

Strategic Family Therapies Strategic Family Therapies are method oriented and brief in duration. Influenced by the work of Milton Erickson Three distinct branches of strategic family therapy The strategic family therapists of the mental research institute The strategic family therapists of the Family Therapy Institute (Jay Haley) The strategic family therapists of the Milan Institute

Strategic Family Therapy: Influence of Milton Erickson The term, strategic therapy, was coined by Jay Haley to describe the work of Milton Erickson Milton Erickson Especially attuned to the power of the unconscious mind as a creative, often positive, solution-generating entity Paid particular attention to details of the symptoms his clients presented

Milton Erickson Continued Achieved his objected in therapy through the following procedures: Accepting and emphasizing the positive Using indirect and ambiguously worded directives Encouraging or directing routine behaviors so that resistance is shown through change and not through normal and continuous actions

Major Strategic Theorists Paul Watzlawick John Weakland Jay Haley Cloé Madanes

Jay Haley Learned hypnosis from Erickson in 1953 Incorporated much of Erickson’s ideas into his own concepts about how to do therapy First editor of the initial journal in the field of family therapy, Family Process. Helped to organize the Institute for Family Counseling

Cloé Madanes Born and raised in Argentina Gentler in her approach to strategic family therapy than Haley Developed the pretend technique One of her lasting contributions was in the areas of sex and violence

Premises of the Theory Follows many of Milton Erickson’s principles Emphasize short-term treatment of about 10 sessions “No one evaluates which solutions have so far been attempted for the patient’s problems” (Priebe & Pommerien, 1992, p. 433)

Premises of the Theory Concentrates on the following dimensions Family rules Family homeostasis Quid pro quo Redundancy principle Punctuation Symmetrical relationships and complementary relationships Circular causality

Treatment Techniques Reframing Directive Nonverbal messages Direct and indirect suggestions Assigned behaviors Paradox (similar to prescribing the symptom) Restraining Prescribing Redefining

Treatment Techniques Ordeals Pretend Positioning

Role of the Therapist First task: Define a presenting problem so that it can be worked on and solved Most are overtly active Use presenting problems as a way to bring about change in families by giving the tasks that are usually carried out between sessions.

Process and Outcome Goal: Resolve, remove, or ameliorate the problem on which the family agreed to work Four common procedures for ensuring a successful outcome: Define a problem clearly and concisely Investigate all solutions previously tried Define a clear and concrete change to be achieved Formulate and implement a strategy for change (Watzlawick, 1978) Focus of changing vicious cycles to virtuous ones

Unique Aspects Flexibility Belief that real change is possible at the individual and dyadic level Focus on innovation and creativity The way it can be employed with a number of other therapies, particularly behavioral and structural family therapy