Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

One major goal of behavioral and cognitive behavioral family therapy is to?

1. Increase family unity and support

2. Modify specific behaviors or thought patterns to alleviate symptoms

3. Enhance communication skills among family members

4. Promote awareness of family dynamics

The correct answer is: Modify specific behaviors or thought patterns to alleviate symptoms

The primary focus of behavioral and cognitive behavioral family therapy is to modify specific behaviors and thought patterns that contribute to psychological symptoms. This therapeutic approach emphasizes identifying and changing maladaptive behaviors, beliefs, and cognitive distortions that affect individual and family functioning. By targeting these aspects, the therapy aims to alleviate distress among family members and facilitate healthier interactions. While the other options address important components of family therapy, they are more indirect outcomes rather than the central goal. For example, increasing family unity and support, enhancing communication skills, and promoting awareness of family dynamics can all be valuable aspects of treatment, but they often stem from or are supported by the more foundational work of modifying behaviors and cognitive patterns. Thus, the emphasis on direct modification of behaviors and thought processes makes this the correct choice.