Systemic Thinking

Question 1

What is the premise of systemic therapy?

Answer 1

1+1=3

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Question 2

What is worth considering about the nature of how a problem is presented around people?

Answer 2

How do different people see it/how is it displayed to different people? How does it vary?

Question 3

What state do systems tend towards?

Answer 3

A steady equilibrium - homeostasis.

Question 4

What are scripts?

Answer 4

Rules for living passed through generations

Question 5

What are the two ways in which one could respond to scripts?

Answer 5

Replicative

Corrective

Question 6

What is the aim of systemic therapy?

Answer 6

To broaden the information to more and more possibilities rather than to narrow it down to right/wrong

Question 7

Who might be seen from a family?

Answer 7

Not necessarily everyone - anyone willing to participate

Question 8

How may families be split into subunits?

Answer 8

By gender/generation/reflecting team

Question 9

To whom may letters be written in systemic therapy?

Answer 9

The family
Referrers/systems around the family
Absent members of the family

Question 10

What is the ‘radical’ end of systemic therapy?

Answer 10

Seeing an individual’s mind as created by societal patterns and interaction patterns

Question 11

Where does the ‘radical’ end of systemic thinking see problem and change occurring?

Answer 11

In the family and systems surrounding the family - not the individual

Question 12

How does systemic thinking conceptualise problems?

Answer 12

They externalise them

Question 13

Upon what does systemic therapy focus?

Answer 13

Resources and solutions

Question 14

At the ‘radical’ heart of systemic theory, by what are people shaped?

Answer 14

Interactions solely.

Question 15

Which systems may be relevant in systemic therapy?

Answer 15

Family
Friendships
Institutions
Communities

Question 16

Can a therapist be objective when they have met a family?

Answer 16

No. They become part of the therapy system

Question 17

What kinds of patterns are the focus of systemic therapy?

Answer 17

Patterns of meaning (not of behaviour)

Question 18

Does systemic therapy focus on patterns of meaning?

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

Does systemic therapy focus on patterns of behaviour?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

How does systemic therapy work?

Answer 20

Therapists ‘lightly float’ many ideas of possible meaning to a family and they choose the ones which best fit.

Question 21

Instead of viewing the family set up as the source of the problem, what does systemic focus on now?

Answer 21

The family as a resource for change.

Question 22

In which disorders is systemic therapy shown to be ‘very likely to help’?

Answer 22

ED

Substance misuse

Question 23

What is systemic therapy likely to help?

Answer 23

Conduct disorder
Self-harm
Depression

Question 24

Where do difficulties arise according to systems theory?

Answer 24

In relationships, interactions and language

Question 25

What is the role of circularity in systems theory?

Answer 25

That patterns of behaviour develop within systems and these become repetitive and circular while constantly evolving

Question 26

What needs to be drawn out from the circularity?

Answer 26

Connections and patterns

Question 27

Using narratives, when might change occur?

Answer 27

When stories lived and stories told are incongruous.

Question 28

Constructivism = ?

Answer 28

like core beliefs

Question 29

Constructionism = ?

Answer 29

Social norms

Question 30

According to social constructionism, where is meaning created?

Answer 30

Through social interactions.

Question 31

If the therapist cannot be objective, of what must they be aware?

Answer 31

Their own constructions, functioning and prejudice.

Question 32

What are the goals during initial systemic therapy sessions?

Answer 32

Outline structure and boundaries Engage and involve all family members Gather and clarify information Establish goals

Question 33

What are the goals during middle systemic therapy sessions?

Answer 33

Identify and explore beliefs Works towards change at the level of beliefs and behaviours Return to goals and monitor progress

Question 34

What are the possible interventions for systemic therapists?

Answer 34

Circular questions Statements Reflecting Teams

Question 35

What is the aim of circular questions?

Answer 35

Looking at difference and a way of introducing new information

Question 36

What is the aim of statements?

Answer 36

To clarify and acknowledge communication To comment on the position or emotional state To introduce therapist/team ideas