Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

Which approach expects the family to carry out the task as given, without paradoxical resistance?

1. Haley and Madanes' directive

2. Structural therapy directives

3. Contextual therapy tasks

4. Bowen's detriangle method

The correct answer is: Haley and Madanes' directive

The choice of Haley and Madanes' directive approach is correct because this model relies on providing families with specific instructions or tasks to carry out with the expectation that they will follow through without any resistance. This method often involves giving family members straightforward assignments aimed at facilitating change and improving communication patterns. The belief here is that when families are provided with clear directives, they will be able to execute them, leading to positive therapeutic outcomes. Haley and Madanes' approach is focused on strategic interventions and often emphasizes the therapist's role in guiding the family through these tasks. The therapist might employ paradoxical interventions strategically, but the direct tasks themselves are designed to be straightforward and actionable, expecting compliance to foster movement toward change. In contrast, structural therapy directives often involve the reorganization of family interactions but may require more nuanced engagement with family dynamics, making full compliance less predictable. Contextual therapy tasks focus more on relational ethics and balance in giving and receiving, which can lead to a more complex interaction regarding task completion. Bowen's detriangle method, meanwhile, is aimed at reducing emotional reactivity within the family system, thus differing in its focus from direct task completion. In summary, Haley and Madanes' directive approach distinctly expects families to adhere to the assigned tasks without