Alicia and Chris have been arguing; Cooper overhears and later behaves at school; the principal calls the parents in; they come to therapy. Alicia starts by saying they have come for help because Cooper is having problems at school. Which of the following terms would describe Cooper's role?

• A. The Identified Patient
• B. The Hero
• C. The Boundary Setter
• D. The Caregiver

Answer: (A)

The Identified Patient. In family systems therapy, the identified patient is the family member whom the family presents as having the problem and who becomes the focus of treatment. Alicia framing their visit as “Cooper is having problems at school” signals that Cooper is being labeled as the one with the issue, so he becomes the patient around whom therapy centers. The Hero is a role where a family member overcompensates to protect the family’s image, the Caregiver is someone who tends to others, and Boundary Setter isn’t the standard labeled role for the person presenting the problem. Thus, Cooper is best described as the Identified Patient.