Strategic Intervention is a method that extracts effective forms of strategic action from various disciplines like therapy and psychology. The aim is to develop a practical method for taking strategic action to fulfill human needs and get things done. Strategic Intervention examines power dynamics and hierarchies in families, and how symptoms reflect and maintain these dynamics. It analyzes transitions in the family life cycle and how problems can occur from disruptions. The goals are to move the family to the next stage of life, address power struggles, and alter harmful interaction patterns.

1. Strategic Intervention

3. Strategic
Intervention
 Strategic Intervention (also known as SI) is a
project dedicated to extracting the most
practical and effective forms of strategic action
and communication from a variety of
disciplines: Ericksonian therapy, strategic
family therapy, Human Needs Psychology,
organizational psychology, neurolinguistics,
psychology of influence, strategic studies,
traditions of diplomacy and negotiation, and
others.

4. Aim of
Robbins
Madanes
Training
 The aim of Robbins MadanesTraining in
Strategic Intervention Coaching is to develop
an eminently practical method for taking
action in a strategic way to get things done also
that human needs are fulfilled and elevated.

5. Strategic
Intervention
 Symptoms maintain balance
 Symptoms reflect dynamics in family
 When symptoms are cured there is always a
consequence

6. Strategic
Intervention -
Hierarchy
 Examine distribution of power
 Examine who tells who what to do
 Illustrate that when hierarchal arrangements are
confused, then individual shows symptoms
 Examine if there is hierarchal incongruity – this is
when families have two conflicting hierarchies – for
example does child take on more dominant hierarchy
or power than parents

7. Strategic
Intervention
Transitions
Points in Life
 Courtship
 Marriage
 Childbirth
 Middle Marriage
 Weaning Parents From Children
 Retirement and Old Age

8. Strategic
Intervention
 Symptoms/problems occur when there is
dislocation or interruption in the family life
cycle
 Control and influence seen as key motivations
for problems in families

9. Goals of
Strategic
Intervention
 Goal ofTherapy is to Move People to Next
Stage of Family Life
 Goal ofTherapy to address power struggles
 Goal ofTherapy prevent repetitive behavior
that is harmful
 Prevent coalitions across generational lines
 Alter Interaction Styles

10. Structure of
Strategic
Interviews
 (Social Stage) observe mood, organization, relationship
dynamics
 (Problem Stage) get perspective of each member
 (Interaction Stage) watch family discussion of problem,
observe interaction patterns
 (Goal Setting) highlight and clarify problem, address
goals, means of measuring change, assign directive or
homework, feedback from this determines next
intervention

11. Strategic
Techniques
 Offer tasks
 Emphasize things in present not past/future
 Argue for 10 minutes each night (accentuate
problem deliberately)
 Assess how directives affect family

12. Use of
Paradoxical
Injunction
 Continue problem behavior so client rebels against
therapist
 Compliance Based - you worry at a set period each day
so you don’t worry other times
 Defiance Based - parents ask permission from child
before making rules
 Exposure Based - father gives girl quarter every time she
defies mom
 Control Based - ask couple to ague 20 minutes so they
know how they start and stop argument

13. Ordeal
Therapy
 More trouble to maintain system than give it
up
 Give present to someone before you argue with
them
 Rearrange furniture before you argue

14. Pretend
Techniques
 Enact feared situation
 Have others respond
 Realize it is not so bad