Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which of the following techniques is utilized in strategic family therapy?

1. Individual therapy sessions

2. Directives

3. Behavior modification

4. Support groups

The correct answer is: Directives

Directives are a central technique in strategic family therapy, which focuses on creating change in a family's interaction patterns. In this therapeutic approach, therapists often give specific directives or assignments to family members. These directives are designed to interrupt negative cycles of interaction and encourage healthier communication and behaviors. By actively involving family members in their change process, directives can help the family work towards specific goals, addressing dynamics that contribute to their issues. The use of directives emphasizes the importance of intervention and the therapist’s role in guiding the family towards solutions. Therapists might instruct family members to engage in particular behaviors or alter their roles within the family structure, helping to reframe their perceptions and facilitate change. In contrast, individual therapy sessions typically focus on the individual rather than the family unit as a whole. Behavior modification is more aligned with altering specific behaviors through reinforcement and punishment rather than addressing family dynamics. Support groups provide a forum for shared experience and peer support, which, while helpful, do not employ the strategic interventions characteristic of family therapy.