The therapist should make sure to ask questions to get the most complete background picture as possible. She should ask questions relating to who does what chores and who takes on what roles. Once the therapist understands the family background she can begin to help the family. The therapist should help guide the family as they try to build on weak boundaries and relax stringent boundaries. One problem common in family therapy is the lack of interest by one or more members of the family.
Instruments give the reluctant child something to be interested in and curious about.
One of the first objectives of the therapist is to understand the family dynamics that may have led to the dysfunction. Watching the family while they are making music together gives the therapist an inside look at who takes on what role and how the family works together. The therapist can offer a selection of instruments and then give general instructions for a task. The task may be to start playing and stop playing their instruments simultaneously. The therapist can then watch who takes charge, how the family communicates to accomplish the goal, and if the parents or children use criticism a lot.