Systemic therapy is a form of psychotherapy, which
adopts an inter-personal, interactional and inter-generational perspective to
understanding and dealing with psychological distress. It is informed by a variety of theoretical models
to describe and explain the phenomena observed in relational systems, including
family theory, general systems and communication theory, cybernetics,
anthropology, social systems theory and social constructionist ideas. The approach is essentially relational in
orientation, considering people and problems in a wider context of significant
relationships and recursive influences.
The intervention is seen to be the whole system, and the therapist's aim
is to improve communication and facilitate understanding from new perspectives;
enhancing potential solutions to difficulties.
The approach can identify certain relationships and influences as
resources, and therapy can enable people to make connections, which mobilise
these resources in a positive manner.
Most typically systemic therapy work involves
families or relevant social systems.
This may include more than one person with symptoms of psychological
distress. It may also be used with
couples or people seen alone. It may
offer an alternative to, or work alongside, other interventions. Systemic Therapists work in partnership with
clients, and usually but not always work with one or more colleagues to attend
simultaneously to different levels of information, including the
professional/client relationship.
Systemic therapists also become involved in offering
consultation to colleagues and external agencies in their work with
individuals, families and/or agency systems.
Feedback has suggested that this can enhance any individual work they
may be engaged in. The approach can widen the options for change. Feedback has
suggested that thinking systemically helps to broaden treatment options.
This approach has been recognised as being
clinically effective, e.g. systemic family therapy led to symptomatic change in
2/3 to 3/4 of cases referred. (Carr
1991) Consumer feedback has suggested
that the approach is both empowering and user friendly.