What technique is likely to be used by a structural/strategic therapist working with Miguel and his parents?

What technique is likely to be used by a structural/strategic therapist working with Miguel and his parents?

• A. Role-playing
• B. Enactments during the therapy session
• C. Family sculpting
• D. Empathic listening

Answer: (B)

A structural/strategic therapist often focuses on the interactions and relationships within a family system, actively engaging family members in ways that reveal patterns of behavior and communication. One of the primary techniques utilized in this approach is enactments during the therapy session. This involves asking family members to act out specific situations or conflicts as they occur in their daily lives.

By doing this, the therapist can observe how family members relate to one another in real-time, which allows for a deeper understanding of their dynamics. It enables the therapist to identify problematic patterns, such as unhealthy communication styles or power imbalances, and intervene immediately. This technique also encourages family members to gain insights and consider alternatives in their interactions, promoting change and restructuring of their relationships.

While role-playing, family sculpting, and empathic listening are valuable therapeutic techniques, enactments are particularly aligned with the structural/strategic model's goals of modifying interactional patterns by bringing underlying issues into the open during the therapy session.