When a family therapist is considering the use of a paradoxical intervention, that therapist should consider:

Question

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a) Whether the informed consent discussed the possible use of such interventions: It is crucial for therapists to obtain informed consent from their clients before beginning treatment. This includes discussing the types of interventions that may be used, including any that are unconventional or paradoxical. Clients should be aware that such techniques might be employed and agree to them as part of their treatment.
b) Whether alternative measures may be equally effective: Before resorting to a paradoxical intervention, a therapist should consider whether there are other, more straightforward or less controversial methods that could achieve the same therapeutic goals. If other interventions are likely to be just as effective, it may be preferable to use them.
c) Whether the deception involved is worth the potential therapeutic benefit: Paradoxical interventions often involve some level of deception or at least the deliberate use of reverse psychology. The therapist must weigh the ethical considerations of using such an approach against the potential benefit to the client. The intervention should only be used if the therapist believes that the potential benefits significantly outweigh any risks or ethical concerns.
Given these considerations, the correct answer to the question is:
d) All of the above
Each of these factors is important to consider when deciding whether to use a paradoxical intervention in family therapy. The therapist must ensure that the intervention is ethically justified, agreed upon by the client, and likely to be beneficial in the context of other available treatment options.

When a Family Therapist Is Considering the Use of a Paradoxical