According to strategic therapists, what are symptoms considered to be?

Strategic therapists view symptoms as both communicative and a bid for power within the family dynamics. This perspective emphasizes that symptoms are not merely problems or behaviors to be eliminated but are often expressions of underlying issues and dynamics within the family system. In this approach, symptoms can carry significant meaning; they may communicate unmet needs or unresolved conflicts and can serve as a means for family members to exert influence or control within relational interactions. By understanding symptoms in this dual capacity, therapists can better address the root causes of dysfunction and facilitate more effective interventions that aim to shift the family dynamics rather than simply remove the symptoms without addressing their underlying significance.