Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

What therapeutic technique involves paradoxically encouraging undesirable behaviors?

1. Case-Specific Symptom Prescription

2. Behavioral Modification

3. Family Systems Therapy

4. Structural Intervention

The correct answer is: Case-Specific Symptom Prescription

The concept of paradoxically encouraging undesirable behaviors is best captured by "Case-Specific Symptom Prescription." This technique, often associated with strategic family therapy, involves identifying a problematic behavior within a family or individual and then encouraging the client to engage in that behavior deliberately. The rationale behind this approach is that by giving the person permission to express or exaggerate the undesirable behavior, it often loses its power and can lead to a decrease in the frequency or intensity of that behavior over time. This technique can facilitate a shift in perspective, allowing clients to understand their behavior better and explore their motivations without the pressure to change immediately. In contrast, the other options—such as Behavioral Modification, Family Systems Therapy, and Structural Intervention—focus on different therapeutic approaches and interventions. Behavioral Modification typically emphasizes reinforcement and punishment to alter behavior, Family Systems Therapy revolves around the dynamics within family systems and their influence on individual behavior, while Structural Intervention looks at the organization of family structure and rules to initiate change. Thus, the nature of Case-Specific Symptom Prescription aligns specifically with the paradoxical approach described in the question.