What is the invariable prescription in therapy?

In the field of psychotherapy, there are various approaches and techniques that seek to address and treat problems within family relationships. One of these approaches, developed by the School of Milan in the 70s and 80s, is called "invariable prescription". It is a highly structured therapeutic instrument, which has proven to be effective. This article explores the methodology and applications of the invariable prescription in family therapy.

Content

• What is the invariable prescription?
• Example of a case
  • • Initial session
    • Invariable prescription implementation
    • Subsequent sessions
    • Conclusion
  • References

What is the invariable prescription?

The invariable prescription is a therapeutic technique that is part of systemic family therapy, developed by the School of Milan. This technique was introduced in the 1970s by Mara Selvini Palazzoli and his team, and is a structured method that seeks to alter and reorganize the dynamics within families, especially those where they are perceived problems in children who are interrelated with parental relationships.

This technique is based on the premise that individual problems, in particular those of children, are often rooted in family dynamics and, as such, it is necessary to address the family system as a whole instead of focusing solely on the individual. The objective is to challenge and modify behavior and communication patterns that have been rigid and dysfunctional within the family.

To carry out this technique the therapists give very specific instructions to parents or other family members about how they should behave And what actions must be carried out from now on in their daily lives. However, these instructions that the therapist gives just at the end of the session without giving explanations of the objective, although the task is mandatory for the family and presents specific indications and immodifiable to carry them out.

The objective is to achieve relational changes and that in the subsequent sessions the reactions of the different family members can be analyzed.

It is used above all when there are difficulties in the couple regarding the actions at the parental level with a child, in whom the parents usually see the problem. By focusing on changing the dynamics between parents and observing how this affects the family system as a whole, the invariable prescription can help gain new perspectives about your parental role and how it relates to the problems perceived in the child.

It has also been possible to verify that this technique can be effective in treating anorexic patients with parents who exercise excessive control over their children.

Family rituals to facilitate change

Example of a case

A family that is composed of parents and two children, one 15 years and the other 12 years. Recently, the eldest son has shown signs of anxiety and depression, and his qualifications in school have decreased. The parents are worried and believe that the eldest son is the one who has the problem. They decide to seek the help of a family therapist.

Initial session

The therapist invites all family members to the first session. During this session, the therapist observes that there is a great tension between parents and that they tend to blame the eldest son for several family problems. He also notes that parents are very controlling and critical of the eldest son, while paying little attention to the youngest son.

Invariable prescription implementation

After the initial session, the therapist decides to implement the invariable prescription. In the next session, it only invites parents, and informs them that they are given a series of instructions that must continue specifically and invariably, without giving explanations to the children:

1. Do not talk about the content of the therapy session with your children.
2. Plan a way out for next Friday night.
3. Leave a note in the fridge the same day when they leave saying that: they have come to dinner, that the mobiles dull and that they can take food from the fridge.

Subsequent sessions

In subsequent sessions, parents report the therapist about children's reactions. They notice that the eldest son seems less anxious when they are more relaxed and spend time together. The youngest son also seems more communicative.

The therapist works with parents in their own relationship and how their dynamics affect their children. Through the sessions, parents begin to understand how their behavior and family dynamics have contributed to the problems of the eldest son.

Conclusion

After several sessions using the invariable prescription, the family experiences a positive change in their dynamics. Parents are more aware of how their actions affect their children and work to be more supportive and less critical. The eldest son begins to show improvements in his mood and school performance, and communication within the family improves in general.

This example illustrates how the invariable prescription technique can be used to address problems within a family, causing parents to actively participate and helping them understand how family dynamics affect individual family members. It is important to remember that this is a fictional example and that the implementation of therapeutic techniques must always be in the hands of trained professionals.

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References

• Selvini Palazzoli, M., Boscol, l., Cecchin, g., & Prata, G. (1982). Paradox and counterparaged: a new model in family therapy with child disorder. Herder.
• Minuchin, s. (1993). Families and family therapy. Gedisa.
• Haley, j. (1987). Therapy to solve problems. Paidós.