Northstar Counseling

This course presents a comprehensive overview of strategic approaches, both past and present, in a family therapy context. Traditional approaches include the MRI Model, the Haley & Madanes approach, and the Milan group. The current iteration, Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), is a solution-focused method designed to achieve results more quickly and effectively than traditional approaches with adolescent drug abuse. The method is presented, as well as empirical data supporting its efficacy. AAMFT Training Award Winner, Dr. Eli Karam also interviews model developers, Cloe Madanes and Dr. Jose Szapocznik about the past, present and future of strategic models. This course is recommended for healthcare professionals, especially MFTs, psychologists, mental health counselors, and social workers who seek knowledge about both classic strategic approaches and the more modern Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) for the treatment of adolescent drug abuse. It is appropriate for a beginning to intermediate level of participants' knowledge. After taking this course, participants should be able to: 

- Articulate the theory behind classic strategic approaches to family therapy

- Evaluate the therapist's role in classic strategic approaches to family therapy

 - Apply strategic techniques to modify family interactional cycles

- Comprehend the evolution of strategic approaches by examining the empirically-supported treatment, Brief Strategic Family Therapy