How is systemic defined?
Emphasises that behaviour is shaped by social contexts, including family dynamics + relationships
Example of how systemic views cultural/societal systems?
Anxiety can emerge from cultural expectations, economic pressures or societal inequalities = shapes their role.
A child’s anxiety distracts them from parental conflict = shapes their role.
What are 4 ways systemic views people?
- The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
- No one exists/suffers in isolation, everything’s is connected and people are interconnected + shaped by living systems
- Behaviour makes sense when seen in context - part of an ongoing pattern not a personal flaw
- Change happens when systems patterns shift, not just at individual level
What is the ‘whole is greater than the sum of its parts’
Emphasises that people exists within a ‘whole’ system made up of interrelated parts which work toegther as one unified entity. Highlights that people are relational and contextual beings and people can only be understood in relation to family, culture and context
How does systemic view where problems come from?
Patterns are within systems and problems are signals of imbalance in wider system (not individual pathology). Comes from unspoken rules, loyalties and communication loops. Maintained by circular causality.
What is ‘circular causality’?
Problems are maintained by mutual influence, not liner cause + effect. Everyones behaviour influences the problem as people influence and are influenced by other reciporically.
How does systemic support change?
Therapist views system as the client. Focuses on changing the interactional patterns by emphasising circular causality + encourages new patterns of communication and flexibility in roles/boundaries
What are 5 techniques of systemic approach?
Circular questioning, mapping/tracking patterns, reframing, relational hypothesising and inviting multiple perspectives
What is the technique of circular questioning + an example?
Asks how one persons behaviour effects another and how the response loops back. E.g. “when your partner gets quiet, what do you do? And when you do that, how does your partner respond?”
What is the technique of mapping/tracking + 2 types?
Charting sequences of behaviour (who does what, in what order) = creates systemic loops visible for client
1. Genograms: legend used to visualise/understand relationships and patters of interaction
2. Eco maps: mapping out ideas with client to identify where they are connected
What is the technique of reframing and an example?
Offers new meaning or interpretation of clients behaviour within the system. E.g. “It sounds like your partners criticism is also his way of showing how much he cares about being close to you when you feel distant”
What is the technique of relational hypothesising?
Forming working ideas about how each persons behaviour fits in the system = emphasises patterns not individual deficits
What is the technique of inviting multiple perspectives?
Asking different family members how they saw the same event = highlights truth as a relational and contextual concept
