In order to understand a family's usual transactional patterns the KW can ask family members to enact a transaction within the session.

This can take the form of a discussion between two or three people, staging a familiar argument, making a decision, comforting one another or whatever.

The purposes of enactments are:

1. To enable the KW to see how the family members interact rather than hearing them describe how they believe it happens;
2. To propel transactions beyond their usual thresholds in order to test the flexibility of the system;
3. To enable the participants to try out different repertoires of transacting in a safe environment.

Initially the KW observes, looking for spontaneously repeating sequences. S/he then focuses on a specific issue:

1. Raising the possibility of the family interacting around this ("I notice that this is something that causes you both stress...would it be useful if you talk about this here now?.. So, if you think it might be useful why don't you both do that...ignore me just for a minute, pretend I'm not here.. just have the sort of argument about money that you have at home...I will sit back and see what happens.")
2. Prolonging the time sequence ("what would happen if you kept this going until you have reached an agreement?...do it if you want to...")
3. Blocking parts of the transaction ("don't involve me...this is between the two (three) of you", "I notice that you now talk about someone who is not here...perhaps that is helpful, perhaps it is not? Do you both now want to discuss whether it is more useful for you to talk to each other about what's upsetting...or to play safe and talk about X? Both fine, from my point of view...")
4. Exploring alternative transactions ("I notice that somehow you, Mrs X, never finish your sentences...is that the way you want it?... No?...How would you like it to be...What would happen if you did it differently then...Do it, if you both want to...ignore me...What is it that gets your husband to interrupt you...is that the way you want it? No?...Well, why don't you find a way of blocking him...if that's what you want...")

These techniques are employed to help the family to find new resolutions in the "here and now" of the session.

If there is a risk of raising the level of affect in the room too much, which would reduce the Mentalization of all present, then use Simmering Down techniques, or Therapist's use of Self