Strategic family therapists assess which of the following?

Strategic family therapists focus on understanding the behaviors and interactions within the family system that contribute to the problem at hand. They are particularly interested in the "attempts to solve the problem," which includes examining how family members have managed or tried to address the challenges they face. This approach emphasizes the effectiveness of these attempts and how they may perpetuate the issue rather than resolve it.

By assessing these attempts, strategic therapists can identify patterns of interaction and the dynamics that reinforce negative behaviors or conflicts. This focus allows them to intervene in ways that promote more effective solutions for the family, changing the patterns that are not working and guiding the family toward new strategies for problem-solving.

In contrast, while family structure, client history, and coping mechanisms can be relevant in a broader therapeutic context, they do not capture the central tenet of strategic therapy, which is to focus on the actions taken by family members in response to their issues. Understanding these attempts is vital for crafting interventions that can disrupt unhelpful cycles and promote healthier interaction patterns.