The therapist most closely associated with structural family therapy is?

• A. Framo
• B. Whitaker
• C. Satir
• D. Minuchin

Answer: (D)

Structural family therapy focuses on how the family is organized—the structure, its subsystems, and the boundaries that regulate interaction. The therapist’s role is to join with the family, map the structure, and help reorganize the boundaries so family members can interact in more flexible, functional ways. Salvador Minuchin is the figure most closely associated with this approach, having developed its theory and methods and popularized techniques for reshaping family structure. By adjusting boundaries and subsystems, he aims to improve alignment and reduce pathological interaction patterns. The other names represent different directions in family therapy: Framo emphasized family-of-origin and psychodynamic influences; Satir focused on growth through improved communication and self-esteem; Whitaker emphasized experiential, spontaneous engagement to elicit authentic family interactions.