What is the main goal of structural therapy in family therapy?

The main goal of structural therapy in family therapy is to change the family's organization. This therapeutic approach, developed by Salvador Minuchin, focuses on the belief that an individual's issues are often rooted in the family's overall structure and dynamics. By examining and modifying the way family members interact and relate to one another, structural therapy aims to create healthier relationships and improve the functioning of the family unit as a whole.

In this context, the therapist works to identify and alter rigid family hierarchies, boundaries, and roles that contribute to dysfunction. By restructuring these elements, families can develop more effective patterns of interaction, which can lead to improved communication, healthier relationships, and overall stability within the family system.

While enhancing communication skills, reducing individual symptoms, and improving conflict resolution techniques can be beneficial outcomes of therapy, they are not the foundational goals of structural therapy itself. Instead, these aspects may be seen as secondary benefits that arise from a more organized and functional family system.