Name of the Strategy or Intervention
Odd and Even Day Ritual
Introduction
The Odd and Even Day Ritual is used to help clients break out of their problematic patterns. This type of ritual is prescribed by the therapist, often paradoxically and with little explanation to the clients. The basic idea is that the therapist has clients alter the ways they interact with one another based on odd or even days. This ritual helps clients act outside of their rigid, established patterns. The therapist checks in with clients each session regarding the prescribed ritual. How the clients respond to the ritual provides critical understanding for the therapist.
Theoretical Framework
The Odd and Even Day Ritualis a ritualized prescription within Milan systemic therapy (MST). MST is a strategic-oriented therapy that was originally developed by Mara Palazzoli Selvini, Giuliana Prata, Luigi Boscolo, and Gianfranco Cecchin. Similar to the MRI and Haley-Madanes versions of strategic therapy, MST was...
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References
Bergman, J. S. (1983). On odd days and on even days: Rituals used in strategic therapy. In L. Wolberg & M. Aronson (Eds.), Group and family therapy 1983 (pp. 273–281). New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Palazzoli, M. S., Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1978a). A ritualized prescription in family therapy: Odd days and even days. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 4, 3–8.
Palazzoli, M. S., Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1978b). Paradox and counterparadox: A new model in the therapy of the family in schizophrenic transaction. Lanham: Jason Aronson.
Piercy, F. P., Sprenkle, D. H., & Wetchler, J. L. (1996). Family therapy sourcebook (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
Selvini, M. P., Boscolo, L., Ceccin, G., & Prata, G. (1980). Hypothesizing – Circularity – Neutrality: Three guidelines for the conductor of the session. Family Process, 19, 3–12.
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Seedall, R.B., Hansen, M.F. (2017). Odd and Even Day Ritual in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Breunlin, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_319-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_319-1
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