A Ritualized Prescription in Family Therapy: Odd Days and Even Days

Abstract

This article presents a therapeutic tactic called ritualized prescription which is specifically aimed at breaking up those behaviors through which each parent disqualifies and sabotages the initiatives and directions of the other parent in his relation with the children. On the fundamental principle of the conceptual systemic model it is evidenced how this prescription, even in cases when it is not followed, inevitably supplies the therapists with relevant information for the understanding of the family's functioning. With families following the prescription, fast and satisfying changes are observed .