Haley was instumental in bridging the gap between strategic and structural approaches to family therapy by looking byond simple dyadic relationships and exploring his interest in trangular, intergenerationsl relationships, or "perverse triangles."

Haley believed that a patient's symptoms arose out of an incongruence between manifest and covert levels of communication with others and served to give the patient a sense of control in their interpersonal relationships. Accordingly, Haley thought that the healing aspect of the patient-therapist relationship involved getting patients to take responsibility for their actions and to take a stand in the therapeutic relationship, a process he called "therapeutic paradox."

Haley developed the Strategic approach to family therapy with a focus on power dynamics in relationships, communication, and symptoms. The focus on symptoms differentiates this approach from the structural approach. Goals are the focus of the strategic approach with the therapist being the final determinate of the purpose of therapy. Techniques used include straightforward tasks to help develop success with solving problems and experiencing positive results. Additionally, this therapy employs paradoxical techniques whereby the family is instructed to continue with their current behavior that ultimately leads to the change of the family interaction.

Cloé Madanes was also influentiual in the refining of Strategic Family Therapy. She worked with, and later married, Haley. Madanes pointed out that the therapist must help the client to navigate a variety of scenarios ranging from individual problems to those of the family, the peer group, the organization and the larger social system.

According to Madanes, the basic tenet of the approach is that individuals, relationships, organizations and community can be directed toward positive change through the strategic planning of skillful interventions deployed in steps or stages.

Madanes says that stategies for change must include the following:

• In every conflict situation it is possible to define a meta-frame of agreement.
• Responsibility, repentance and reparation are essential to sustaining peace within the family, the organization and the community.
• In every conflict situation there is a third side: those who value peace over and above a particular position. This third side must be identified, developed and supported.
• Interventions may take the form of directives about something that people are to do. Directives may be direct, indirect, metaphorical or paradoxical.
• Leverage must be obtained before giving a directive.
• A distinction is made between (1) identifying a problem and (2) creating a problem by characterizing an individual or a group in a certain way.
• The way a problem is defined and how it is expressed metaphorically through problem behaviors is essential to its solution.
• Negotiations in conflict situations may be direct or indirect.

References
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