Distinguishing+ideas


 * Assumptions of MRI**
 * Focus is on behavior and social interactions

A. Three main assumptions:

1. Problems develop by mishandling normal life difficulties 2. Difficulties persist if problem is maintained by current behavior of client or others they interact with 3. If problem maintaining behavior is changed/eliminated, problem goes away

Goal: Change in behavior is the main task
 * Problem lies in the client's attempted solution, therefore, treatment is directed toward stopping their "solution" behavior

Theoretical assumptions:

1. Therapy is time-limited (no more than ten sessions).

2. Believe that most human problems develop through the mishandling of normal difficulties in life. Thus, the attempted solutions themselves become the problem, as people presist in self-perpetuating and self-defeating "more of the same" attempts at problem resolution.

3. Only by giving up solutions that perpetuate the problem and attempting new solutions that are different in kind that changes can occur in behavior and/or the view of the problem.

4. People maintain their problems through their own behavior and that of others with whom they interact -- problems create systems, not the other way around, and this is why everyone affected by the problem are included in the resolution of the problem

5. If the current system of interaction is changed, then the problem will be resolved regardless of its history and etiology.

6. Three ways in which a family mishandles solutions so that they lead to bigger problems:

a. some action is necessary but not taken. (i.e., denying that a problem exists) b. an action is taken when unnecessary. c. action is taken at the wrong level. (more of the same solutions are attempted)

7. Believe in constructing a reality...a problem definition that the client can solve.