A married couple tells their therapist that they have a serious fight at least three times a week. The therapist, who practices strategic family therapy, instructs the couple to fight at least five nights a week. What is this an example of?

Choice A reason: Relabeling involves changing the meaning assigned to a behavior or situation, often to reduce its negative connotation. It does not involve instructing clients to increase problematic behavior. Choice B reason: Reframing changes the perspective on a situation to help clients see it differently. While related to strategic therapy, it does not involve giving counterintuitive instructions. Choice C reason: A straightforward directive is a clear instruction aimed at solving a problem directly. Telling a couple to fight more frequently is not straightforward—it’s intentionally paradoxical. Choice D reason: A paradoxical directive is a hallmark of strategic family therapy. It involves prescribing the symptom or behavior in a way that disrupts the pattern and forces clients to reconsider their actions. Asking the couple to fight more often is designed to reduce the frequency or intensity of the fights by making them more conscious of the behavior.