Which family therapy approach was founded by Jay Haley?

The family therapy approach founded by Jay Haley is Strategic Family Therapy. This approach emphasizes the importance of communication and interactions within the family system, and it focuses on the strategies that can be used to resolve problems or dysfunctional patterns.

Haley's work involved identifying and altering unproductive transactional patterns within the family unit. He believed in developing specific interventions tailored to the unique dynamics of each family. The goal was to create change through direct engagement with family members and to empower them to find solutions to their issues.

Strategic Family Therapy often incorporates techniques such as reframing problems, utilizing directives, and implementing paradoxical interventions. These methods are designed to shift the family's approach to their difficulties, fostering better communication and cooperation among members. This approach stands apart from others that may focus more on individual psychology, emotional expression, or systemic theory without the same level of direct strategic intervention.