Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

What is the primary responsibility of a therapist in strategic family therapy?

1. Providing emotional support to clients

2. Planning a strategy to resolve problems

3. Conducting detailed assessments

4. Facilitating group discussions

The correct answer is: Planning a strategy to resolve problems

The primary responsibility of a therapist in strategic family therapy is to plan a strategy to resolve problems. In this therapeutic approach, the therapist actively works to identify the issues within the family dynamics and develops targeted interventions aimed at creating change and improving communication patterns. The focus is on developing specific strategies that are designed to address the presenting problems, often through carefully orchestrated discussions and therapeutic tasks. While providing emotional support, conducting assessments, and facilitating discussions can be components of therapy, strategic family therapy distinguishes itself by emphasizing the execution of deliberate strategies that foster behavioral change and address systemic issues. This targeted approach is meant to disrupt unhelpful patterns and encourage new, healthier interactions among family members, thereby promoting a more functional family unit.