Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

What is a key technique used in family therapy to stimulate discussions about potential positive changes?

1. The solution-focused approach

2. The miracle question

3. Family rewards systems

4. The problem-solution framework

The correct answer is: The miracle question

The miracle question is a pivotal technique in family therapy geared toward encouraging clients to envision a scenario where their problems have been resolved. This method stimulates productive discussions about potential positive changes by prompting family members to imagine how their lives would look if they woke up tomorrow and found that their challenges had vanished. It operates on the premise that identifying these imagined outcomes can help families articulate their aspirations and the steps necessary to achieve those goals. By focusing on the desired future instead of the current issues, the miracle question fosters a sense of hope and agency among family members. This encourages collaboration and empowerment, as they begin to think constructively and identify viable paths toward positive transformation. Such an approach is particularly beneficial in therapy settings, allowing families to move past their immediate difficulties and focus on solutions and desired outcomes.