What technique involves advising clients to engage in their problematic behavior intentionally?

The technique of prescribing the symptom is a strategic approach in family therapy, particularly utilized within the framework of strategically oriented therapies. This method entails encouraging clients to engage in the very behavior they are trying to change or which is causing problems in their lives. The idea behind this technique is paradoxical; by intentionally engaging in the problematic behavior, clients may develop a different perspective on it, often leading to a reduction in its power over them.

This approach also serves to highlight the client's control over their behavior, shifting their focus from feeling helpless to recognizing choice in their actions. It brings a sense of empowerment as they confront the behavior directly, which can sometimes reduce anxiety and guilt associated with that behavior. Additionally, this technique can disrupt the cycle of resistance, allowing clients to explore their behaviors in a new light and assess their impact on their lives and relationships.

While structural mapping and behavioral contracting have their own valuable applications in therapy, they do not involve the element of intentionally engaging the client in problematic behaviors as a means of therapeutic intervention. Role-playing, on the other hand, typically focuses on practicing new behaviors and communication strategies rather than engaging directly in the problematic behaviors themselves. Thus, prescribing the symptom stands out as the correct method in this context.