CHAPTER 4: STRATEGIC AND SYSTEMIC MODELS

Chapter 4: Strategic and Systemic Models 93 Resistance is lessened if one part of the system comments on another. In this way, circular questions unearth a wealth of information about the triadic relationships in the family and effectively break the rule(s) in dysfunctional families about secrets. The Milan team offers other suggestions for gathering information: • Gather information in terms of specific interactive behaviors—not feelings or ideas— in specific circumstances, e.g., who does what, when, how many times? • Ask questions about differences in behavior, e.g., who does it the most? The least? • Get information regarding ranking of behaviors of interactions, e.g., who goes to church more often? Next frequently? Least often? • Ask hypothetical questions and listen to how each member of the family reacts to the symptom behavior, e.g., if this were to happen, how would it affect mom? Dad? The model is triadic, i.e., family members relate to one another through the problem or through other family members. • Obtain information about changes in relationships, e.g., before dad got ill, who was fighting? How much? The more information gained from each subsystem member, the larger the field of observation. Once a relatively clear picture is assembled, the field is enlarged to include relationships with extended families and families of origin. The Milan therapists maintain a neutral relationship with each family member. At the end of the session, family members might have a sense of what the therapist is like but should have no sense that he/she has sided with anyone or made any judgments about the entire family. Circular questions shift the alliance from one member to the next as each is asked to comment about the other relationships. The more interested the therapist is in obtaining information, the less he/she is apt to make moral judgments. Therapists make a conscious effort to thwart family members’ efforts to form coalitions with him/her. The therapist is effective only insofar as he/she is able to remain at a different level−a metalevel−from that of the family.