If a Satir-oriented therapist said, "I believe this child's exaggerated acting out and drug use may serve to reduce tension in his parent's marriage by getting his parents to focus on him." What would the therapist be doing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The therapist is viewing the child's symptoms as having a role in the family system, specifically as a way to reduce tension in the parents' marriage. This is consistent with Satir's belief in symptom messages and the importance of understanding the function of behaviors in the context of the family. The other options (determining family life chronology, figuring out survival stance of the family, using a mandala) do not fit with the therapist's statement about the child's behavior.

If a Satir-Oriented Therapist Said, "I Believe This Child's Exaggerated