Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which of the following techniques is NOT included in brief family therapy?

1. Reinforcing family strengths

2. Setting limited goals and an endpoint

3. Assigning ongoing homework

4. The miracle question

The correct answer is: Assigning ongoing homework

In the context of brief family therapy, one key aspect is the focus on achieving specific goals within a limited timeframe. Techniques such as reinforcing family strengths and setting limited goals and an endpoint are integral to this approach, as they support families in identifying positives and working toward achievable outcomes efficiently. Additionally, the use of the "miracle question" is a well-known technique in brief therapy that prompts clients to envision their ideal future, allowing the therapist to assess desired changes and motivate the family toward those goals. On the other hand, assigning ongoing homework is less characteristic of brief family therapy. While some therapeutic modalities may incorporate homework assignments between sessions for extended engagement, brief family therapy typically does not follow this structure. Instead, it prioritizes immediate interventions and solutions during the sessions themselves, focusing on quick, impactful changes rather than ongoing assignments that extend beyond the current therapeutic context. This distinction underlines the brief nature of the therapy, which is not designed for extensive, prolonged commitments such as assignments for future sessions.