What is Strategic family therapy?
Strategic family therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that focuses on the interactions and patterns within a family system. It was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by theorists and practitioners such as Jay Haley, Milton Erickson, and Don Jackson.
The central premise of strategic family therapy is that individuals’ behavior and psychological issues are influenced by their interactions within the family system. This approach considers the family as a complex network of relationships, where changes in one part of the system can have ripple effects throughout.
Strategic family therapists often view symptoms or problematic behaviors as serving a purpose within the family system. They believe that individuals develop these symptoms as strategies to cope with dysfunctional patterns or maintain equilibrium within the family. The therapist’s goal is to understand the underlying dynamics and help the family create new, healthier patterns of interaction.
Key principles of strategic family therapy include:
Focus on the here and now: Strategic family therapists concentrate on the immediate problem or issue that brings the family to therapy, rather than exploring past events in great detail.
Brief and goal-oriented: This approach is typically time-limited, aiming to produce change within a relatively short period. Therapists collaborate with the family to set specific, achievable goals and work toward them.
Use of interventions: Therapists employ a range of techniques to disrupt dysfunctional patterns and facilitate change. These interventions might involve prescribing tasks or behaviors for family members to try outside of therapy sessions.
Strategic positioning: Therapists strategically position themselves within the family system to observe and influence interactions. They may take on a more active and directive role to challenge established patterns and encourage new ways of relating.
Relational hierarchy: Strategic family therapists often pay attention to power dynamics and hierarchies within the family. They may work to create or restore a healthier balance of power and authority among family members.
Overall, strategic family therapy seeks to bring about change by altering the interactions and patterns within a family system. It aims to help families develop more functional and adaptive ways of relating to one another, thereby alleviating individual symptoms and improving overall family functioning.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 