Therapeutic change process as reifying relational preferences: an exploratory study into family therapy for behavioural problems ( Proceso de cambio terapéutico como reificación de preferencias relacionales: un estudio exploratorio en terapia para problemas de conducta )

Abstract

Behavioural problems in childhood are frequently maintained through relational patterns such as escalation, but can be abandoned through family therapy and a conversational process of co-construction of agreements on relational preferences (RP). Using micro-analytic discursive methods, we identified 27 micro-conversational practices that can serve as realizers of change. We organized these micro-practices in an emerging taxonomy that includes different levels, focuses and modes as they appeared in the change process. Our results help to better understand the change process through the concept of reflexivity stemming from family therapy theory. We discuss the relationship between our results and therapeutic alliance, and how they can be used as an initial model for a dynamic change sequence, which could be empirically validated in the future.