What technique is used to encourage family members not to change in Strategic Family Therapy?

In Strategic Family Therapy, the technique of restraining is specifically employed to encourage family members not to change their behavior. This method involves the therapist advising the family that they should not attempt to change their dysfunctional behavior or patterns immediately. By emphasizing the challenges and difficulties associated with changing their behavior, the therapist provides a sense of safety and control, allowing family members to feel less pressured.

Restraining is based on the understanding that by resisting change initially, family members may be more inclined to recognize the need for change on their own terms, which can ultimately set the stage for more significant and meaningful transformations in their family dynamics. This technique utilizes paradoxical interventions, where the therapist indirectly promotes a change by suggesting the opposite—helping the family to explore their situation further and consider new possibilities for change in a more organic way.

In contrast, reframing involves altering the perception of a situation, positioning relates to taking a stance in therapy that validates the family’s concerns, and enactment refers to having family members role-play specific interactions to address their dysfunctions. While all these techniques have their place in therapy, restraining is unique in its focus on allowing the family to remain as they are to create an opportunity for genuine reflection and transformation later on.