What is the primary focus of the Structural therapy model?

The Structural therapy model, developed by Salvador Minuchin, primarily emphasizes the importance of family hierarchies and boundaries in understanding and addressing family dynamics. This model posits that the structure of a family—how it is organized, the roles of each member, and the rules governing interactions—plays a critical role in both the functioning of the family and the psychological health of its members.

Within this framework, therapists assess family interactions to identify patterns that may be contributing to dysfunction. Key concepts such as subsystems, alliances, and boundaries are central to this approach. For example, clear boundaries help separate family roles and responsibilities, while diffuse boundaries may lead to enmeshment, where members become overly involved in each other's lives. By addressing these structures, therapists work toward reestablishing healthy boundaries and hierarchies, enabling family members to function more effectively within their roles.

Other approaches, such as behavioral reinforcement, emotional expression, and cognitive restructuring, focus on different aspects of therapy. Behavioral reinforcement pertains to modifying specific behaviors through rewards or consequences. Emotional expression emphasizes the importance of feelings and open communication within therapy. Cognitive restructuring involves changing thought patterns to influence emotional responses and behaviors. While these may play vital roles in therapeutic practices, they do not capture the