MFT Green Book - CHAPTER 4: STRATEGIC AND SYSTEMIC MODELS

Strategic Family Therapy

Directive approach focused on solving presenting problems by altering interaction patterns rather than exploring insight.

Gregory Bateson

Developed communication theory and double bind concept influencing strategic therapy.

Milton Erickson

Influenced strategic therapy through use of paradox

Double Bind

A communication pattern involving contradictory commands with punishment and no escape.

Double Bind Requirement

Punishment and inability to escape must be present for a true double bind.

MRI Model

Approach focused on how problems are maintained by attempted solutions.

Circular Causality

Concept that behavior is mutually influencing rather than linear cause-effect.

Negative Feedback

Process that maintains system stability and resists change.

Positive Feedback

Process that amplifies deviation and leads to change or escalation.

First-Order Change

Surface-level behavioral change that does not alter system structure.

Second-Order Change

Change that alters the system’s rules

Attempted Solutions

Repeated behaviors that unintentionally maintain the problem.

Reframing

Changing the meaning of a behavior to alter perception and response.

Paradoxical Intervention

Asking the family to do something that seems to oppose the treatment goals.

Symptom Prescription

Instructing the client to intentionally engage in the problem behavior.

Restraining Change

Therapist suggests not changing to provoke resistance and change.

Positioning

Therapist exaggerates hopelessness to motivate change.

MRI Treatment Goal

Interrupt the cycle of attempted solutions maintaining the problem.

Brief Therapy (MRI)

A present-focused systemic approach from the Mental Research Institute that targets interactional patterns and ineffective attempted solutions maintaining a problem, using strategic interventions to create rapid change. Short term.

Directive

Specific task or instruction given by therapist to change behavior.

Haley Strategic Therapy

Focuses on power

Hierarchy (Haley)

Organization of power within family; dysfunction occurs when hierarchy is unclear or inverted.

Incongruous Hierarchy

Child holds more power than parent

Ordeal

A task designed to make maintaining the symptom more difficult than giving it up.

Dramatization

Madanes technique where family members act out interactions.

Pretending Technique

Madanes intervention where members simulate behavior to gain awareness.

Milan Systemic Model

Approach emphasizing neutrality

Mara Selvini Palazzoli

Founder of the Milan systemic model.

Hypothesizing

Therapist generates and tests ideas about family dynamics.

Circular Questioning

Questions that explore relationships and differences between family members.

Neutrality (Milan)

Therapist avoids taking sides and maintains curiosity.

Positive Connotation (Milan)

Assigning positive intent to problematic behaviors to reduce resistance.

Ritual (Milan)

Structured task assigned to alter family patterns

Cybernetics

The study of how information-processing systems are controlled by feedback loops.

Homeostasis

Tendency of a system to maintain stability and resist change.

Discontinuous Change

Sudden systemic shift rather than gradual change.

Recursive Patterns

Repetitive interaction cycles that maintain problems.

Game Without End

Family interaction pattern that continues without resolution.

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

Approach focusing on how language and cognition shape experience.

Generalization (NLP)

Distortion where broad conclusions are drawn from limited experiences.

Deletion (NLP)

Ignoring important information in perception or communication.

Distortion (NLP)

Misrepresentation of reality in thinking or language.

Strategic vs Structural Therapy

Strategic focuses on problem-solving while structural focuses on organization and boundaries.

MRI vs Milan

MRI is directive and problem-focused while Milan is neutral and meaning-focused.

Symptom Function (Strategic)

Symptoms serve a purpose in maintaining family balance or hierarchy.

Therapist Role (Strategic)

Active, directive, and responsible for designing interventions.

Insight (Strategic Therapy)

Not necessary for change; behavior change can occur without awareness.