Question 1

Strategic therapists pay attention to and respect family hierarchy. When observing the hierarchy between parents and children, when a parent makes a request and the child complies willingly, this is known as what type of hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

An effective hierarchy is characterized by clear roles and boundaries where parents lead and children follow, demonstrating respect and compliance. This scenario where a child willingly complies with a parent's request exemplifies an effective hierarchy, indicating healthy family dynamics and clear, respected roles within the family structure.

Question 2

Which of the following does NOT fit with the definition for a therapeutic double bind in MRI systemic theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following does NOT fit...

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of an initial phase intervention used in MRI systemic therapy?

Accepted Answer

Reframing the problem is an initial phase intervention in MRI systemic therapy, as it helps clients view their issues from a different perspective, setting the stage for change.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is TRUE about Milan systemic therapy?

Accepted Answer

The Milan approach is known for its emphasis on language-based interventions, such as circular questioning, which explores relationships and patterns within the family system.

Question 5

Josiah is working with a family of six in therapy. The two oldest daughters are struggling with competition for everything-the best grades, making sports teams, and their parents' attention. Josiah works with the family over a period of time and decides to use an ordeal with the oldest daughters. Which of the following is an example of an effective ordeal?

Accepted Answer

An effective ordeal in therapy is designed to make the problem behavior more difficult to engage in than to change the behavior. Option A, having the daughters write in their journal for 20 minutes before discussing their arguments, introduces a reflective pause that could make the competitive behavior less appealing and encourage more thoughtful communication.

Question 6

A person may appear to be powerless; however, their behavior can tend to generate significant power indirectly. This may manifest by making unreasonable demands, or receiving more attention or care than would traditionally be warranted. This type of problem conceptualization in strategic therapy is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

This concept is referred to as "helplessness vs. power" in strategic therapy, where an individual's apparent helplessness or powerlessness is seen as a way to exert control or power indirectly, often by making unreasonable demands or receiving undue attention or care.

Question 7

Many family interactions-rejecting a lover because one feels unworthy, disciplining a child, pursuing a partner for sex or communication-can be viewed as motivated by:

Accepted Answer

Many family interactions can be seen as motivated by the dynamics of hostility versus love, as these emotions often drive behaviors and decisions in relationships.

Question 8

In strategic therapy, directives are used to:

Accepted Answer

Directives in strategic therapy are specific tasks assigned to clients to complete, often between sessions, to bring about change in their behavior or situation.

Question 9

An indirect or paradoxical intervention involves which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An indirect or paradoxical intervention involves which...

Question 10

Strategic therapy, which shares many similarities with the MRI approach, was developed by whom?

Accepted Answer

Strategic therapy was developed by Jay Haley, who was influenced by the work of Milton Erickson. Haley's approach involves direct interventions aimed at solving family problems.

Question 11

Gorge, a therapist practicing strategic therapy, says to the family after they describe their problem: "I'm not sure if I am able to handle such a problem." What is Gorge doing?

Accepted Answer

Gorge is employing a strategic therapy technique where he takes a one-down stance, expresses a sense of hopelessness, and shows deep respect for the client's abilities. This approach is designed to motivate the family to take a more active role in solving their problem, by indirectly suggesting that the solution lies within their capabilities and not just with the therapist. This technique can encourage clients to find hope and motivation to address their issues more proactively.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about the use of directives in strategic therapy is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Directives in strategic therapy are often paradoxical or non-linear, rather than "logical" or linear solutions to the problem. They are designed to interrupt and change patterns of behavior in a way that logical solutions may not.

Question 13

When working with a family in therapy, Caitlin, a strategic therapist, requests that dad disciplines the child instead of mom when the child breaks the house rules. What technique is Caitlin using with her clients?

Accepted Answer

Caitlin is using a straightforward directive by directly asking a family member to change their behavior in a specific way, aiming to alter the family dynamics and address the issue at hand.

Question 14

During the social stage of the initial interview, the therapist must complete all of the following in just a few minutes EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

During the social stage of the initial interview, the therapist's focus is on building rapport and making the family feel comfortable, rather than sharing observations with the client family. Sharing observations typically comes later in the therapeutic process.

Question 15

"If one makes it more difficult for a person to have a symptom than to give it up, the person will give up the symptom." This statement sums up the basic premise of what in strategic therapy?

Accepted Answer

Ordeals in strategic therapy are designed to make it more difficult for a person to maintain a problem than to solve it. By creating a situation where the symptom becomes more burdensome than the effort required to change, the client is motivated to give up the symptom.

Question 16

When developing goals in therapy, MRI systemic therapists approach therapy by focusing on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

MRI systemic therapists focus on the attempted solutions that clients have tried and how these attempts may actually maintain or exacerbate the problem, rather than on the problem itself or the preferred solution.

Question 17

Virtually all interventions used by traditional systemic-strategic therapists have a single intention. What is it?

Accepted Answer

Traditional systemic-strategic therapies aim to interrupt negative interaction patterns that maintain or include the presenting problem or symptom, thereby facilitating change in the system (e.g., family, couple) being treated.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is TRUE about paradoxical tasks?

Accepted Answer

Paradoxical tasks in therapy involve the therapist assigning a task that appears counterintuitive to the client's goals, but is designed to help them confront and change problematic behaviors or beliefs. The therapist's expression of sincere concern for the family is crucial in establishing a therapeutic alliance and making paradoxical interventions effective. The other options misrepresent the nature and purpose of paradoxical tasks.

Question 19

Strategic therapists use pretend techniques to help clients obtain their desired goal. Pretend techniques can best be described by which of the following statements?

Accepted Answer

Pretend techniques in strategic therapy involve acting as if a certain behavior or achievement of a goal has already occurred, even if temporarily, to help shift perspectives and behaviors. This can help clients visualize and enact change.

Question 20

Logan, a strategic therapist, is working with a client who reports uncontrollable worrying all of the time. The client reports she cannot stop worrying and feels like her worrying is out of control. Logan asks her client to set an egg timer to worry for 10 minutes at a set time each day for the next week. What is Logan doing?

Accepted Answer

Logan is using symptom prescription, a technique where the therapist instructs the client to deliberately engage in or exaggerate a symptom. By asking the client to worry intentionally for a set period, Logan aims to give the client control over the worrying, thereby reducing its impact.

Quiz 4: Systemic and Strategic Therapies