In Structural family therapy, what is the therapist's primary action?

In Structural family therapy, what is the therapist's primary action?

• A. Therapist remains neutral and avoids interference.
• B. Therapist actively challenges dysfunctional interaction.
• C. Therapist focuses only on individual symptoms.
• D. Therapist teaches family to suppress emotions.

Answer: (B)

Structural family therapy emphasizes changing how the family is organized, not just talking about individual issues. The therapist takes an active, directive stance and intervenes to disrupt dysfunctional interaction patterns, reconfigure boundaries, and realign subsystems so that healthier ways of functioning can emerge. This hands-on approach helps the family move from rigid or enmeshed or disengaged patterns toward clearer boundaries and more flexible, supportive relationships. Neutrality or focusing only on individual symptoms would fail to alter the interactional dynamics the therapy targets, and teaching suppression of emotions would hinder open communication and change. So the key action is the therapist’s active engagement to challenge and reshape the family’s interactions.

Structural family therapy emphasizes changing how the family is organized, not just talking about individual issues. The therapist takes an active, directive stance and intervenes to disrupt dysfunctional interaction patterns, reconfigure boundaries, and realign subsystems so that healthier ways of functioning can emerge. This hands-on approach helps the family move from rigid or enmeshed or disengaged patterns toward clearer boundaries and more flexible, supportive relationships. Neutrality or focusing only on individual symptoms would fail to alter the interactional dynamics the therapy targets, and teaching suppression of emotions would hinder open communication and change. So the key action is the therapist’s active engagement to challenge and reshape the family’s interactions.