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Paradox and a Systems Theory Approach to a Case of Severe School Phobia **
Author(s) -
Hawkes Raymond
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
australian journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1467-8438
pISSN - 0156-8779
DOI - 10.1002/j.1467-8438.1981.tb00041.x
Subject(s) - resistance (ecology) , psychological intervention , theory of change , psychology , psychotherapist , sociology , psychiatry , biology , ecology , anthropology
A recent case of severe school phobia treated by the author and a colleague is discussed. Systemic assessment indicated high resistance to change. Our initial paradoxical strategy utilising a “therapeutic triangle” is outlined, designed to bind the family into arguing in favour of change. With the lessening of resistance, direct interventions were utilised, combined with re‐framings preventing the family developing a rationale that would allow them to escape change.