Strategic Family Therapy and Treatment Plans

Strategic Family Therapy and Structural Family Therapy often have much in common, but also have very significant differences. Strategic Family Therapy also is a traditional model that continues to influence the work of contemporary therapists. The therapist again takes a very direct stance, and is thought of as the expert on what a family should look like and how they should function in this model. As you read, think of both the advantages and challenges of being an expert. In this Section, you will have the opportunity to learn about strategic family therapy and gain experience with comparing the strategic approach with the structural approach.

Required Reading:
Gehart, D.R, & Tuttle, A.R. (2003): Chapters 12, 3

Haley, J. (1991): Chapters 12, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Jay Haley’s guidance on How to Have an Awful Marriage. Retrieved from http://www.jay-haley-on-therapy.com/How_to_Have_an_Awful_Marriage.pdf

Assignment 4 Strategic vs. Structural Family Therapy
4 Strategic vs. Structural Family Therapy

Activity Specific Reading:

Gehart, D.R., & Tuttle, A.R. (2003): Chapters 12, 3

Based on the readings in Activity 3 and the reading for this activity, write a 5-7 page essay that:

Compares and contrasts the assumptions, concepts, goals, and interventions of the structural and strategic approaches to therapy.
Use the Family Vignette found on page 119 in the Gehart& Tuttle (2003) text, to create and compare treatment plans using both strategic and structural family therapy models. If needed you can be creative and elaborate on the family’s problems as you see fit.
How do the approaches compare in their treatment of diversity issues (for example issues such as age, cultural, spiritual, racial, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status)?
AIDress which approach more closely aligns with your own assumptions about change.

Please use the Northcentral online library to find 3 to 5 articles in a peer reviewed journal to use as resources to support your essay. These aIDitional articles should be new resources and not resources that are already assigned for use in this course.

Length: 5-7 pages (app. 350 words per page)

Your essay should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.