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What is the primary focus of a marriage and family counselor working with blended families?

  1. Educating about previous family expectations

  2. Enforcing strict family rules

  3. Facilitating individual therapy sessions

  4. Encouraging complete family separation

The correct answer is: Educating about previous family expectations

The primary focus of a marriage and family counselor working with blended families is to educate about previous family expectations. This is crucial because blended families often come together with members who have distinct backgrounds, histories, and previously held beliefs about family dynamics. Understanding these previous expectations helps family members navigate their interactions and conflicts more effectively, promoting healthier communication and relationships within the new family structure. Educating family members about their past experiences can foster empathy and understanding, which are essential in helping everyone adjust to new roles and relationships. By addressing these prior expectations, the counselor supports the blended family in building a new, cohesive identity while honoring and acknowledging the individual experiences of each member. The other options do not align as closely with the foundational work of a marriage and family counselor in this context. Enforcing strict family rules may stifle communication and exacerbate tensions rather than facilitate harmony. Facilitating individual therapy sessions, while beneficial in certain contexts, may not address the collective dynamics and challenges unique to blended families. Encouraging complete family separation contradicts the goal of integration and unity that blended family counseling seeks to achieve.