Systemic Thinking Flashcards
What is the premise of systemic therapy?
1+1=3
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
What is worth considering about the nature of how a problem is presented around people?
How do different people see it/how is it displayed to different people? How does it vary?
What state do systems tend towards?
A steady equilibrium - homeostasis.
What are scripts?
Rules for living passed through generations
What are the two ways in which one could respond to scripts?
Replicative
Corrective
What is the aim of systemic therapy?
To broaden the information to more and more possibilities rather than to narrow it down to right/wrong
Who might be seen from a family?
Not necessarily everyone - anyone willing to participate
How may families be split into subunits?
By gender/generation/reflecting team
To whom may letters be written in systemic therapy?
The family
Referrers/systems around the family
Absent members of the family
What is the ‘radical’ end of systemic therapy?
Seeing an individual’s mind as created by societal patterns and interaction patterns
Where does the ‘radical’ end of systemic thinking see problem and change occurring?
In the family and systems surrounding the family - not the individual
How does systemic thinking conceptualise problems?
They externalise them
Upon what does systemic therapy focus?
Resources and solutions
At the ‘radical’ heart of systemic theory, by what are people shaped?
Interactions solely.
Which systems may be relevant in systemic therapy?
Family
Friendships
Institutions
Communities
Can a therapist be objective when they have met a family?
No. They become part of the therapy system
What kinds of patterns are the focus of systemic therapy?
Patterns of meaning (not of behaviour)
Does systemic therapy focus on patterns of meaning?
Yes
Does systemic therapy focus on patterns of behaviour?
No
How does systemic therapy work?
Therapists ‘lightly float’ many ideas of possible meaning to a family and they choose the ones which best fit.
Instead of viewing the family set up as the source of the problem, what does systemic focus on now?
The family as a resource for change.
In which disorders is systemic therapy shown to be ‘very likely to help’?
ED
Substance misuse
What is systemic therapy likely to help?
Conduct disorder
Self-harm
Depression
Where do difficulties arise according to systems theory?
In relationships, interactions and language
What is the role of circularity in systems theory?
That patterns of behaviour develop within systems and these become repetitive and circular while constantly evolving
What needs to be drawn out from the circularity?
Connections and patterns
Using narratives, when might change occur?
When stories lived and stories told are incongruous.
Constructivism = ?
like core beliefs
Constructionism = ?
Social norms
According to social constructionism, where is meaning created?
Through social interactions.
If the therapist cannot be objective, of what must they be aware?
Their own constructions, functioning and prejudice.
What are the goals during initial systemic therapy sessions?
Outline structure and boundaries
Engage and involve all family members
Gather and clarify information
Establish goals
What are the goals during middle systemic therapy sessions?
Identify and explore beliefs
Works towards change at the level of beliefs and behaviours
Return to goals and monitor progress
What are the possible interventions for systemic therapists?
Circular questions
Statements
Reflecting Teams
What is the aim of circular questions?
Looking at difference and a way of introducing new information
What is the aim of statements?
To clarify and acknowledge communication
To comment on the position or emotional state
To introduce therapist/team ideas
