Final answer:
In structural family therapy, the focus is on the family system rather than the individual, aiming to change dysfunctional family dynamics and power structures that contribute to conflicts, as in the case of the Robinson family and their son Thom.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of structural family therapy, the family becomes the client, and treatment will largely center on changing family dynamics. Structural family therapy focuses on the interactions within the family unit and aims to understand and reorganize the family's structure to resolve conflict. As the Robinson family is dealing with conflicts and behavioral issues with their son Thom, the therapy would address the family as a whole rather than an individual member, identifying and adjusting the patterns of interaction that contribute to the family's problems.
Conflict theory and interactionist perspectives help in understanding family dynamics. The family is not seen as just a private entity but as a place where social norms, roles, and power dynamics play a significant role, potentially leading to conflicts. In keeping with these theories, structural family therapy would intervene with the goal of altering the power hierarchy and role enactments that may contribute to Thom's behavior and the family's conflicts.