What is systemic therapy?
Short answer
Systemic therapy is an approach that understands a person within the systems of relationship they belong to: family, couple, work, community. What appears as one person’s problem is also read as part of the dynamic of the whole.
Individual, couple and family work
The systemic approach is used in individual work as well as with couples and families. Even when only one person is in the room, the work considers the relationships they live in.
When more than one person takes part, the professional usually agrees at the start how confidentiality, attendance and separate sessions work.
Frequently asked questions
- Is systemic therapy the same as family therapy?
- No. Systemic is the approach — the theoretical lens. Family therapy is a format of care, which can be conducted from this approach or from others.
- Does the whole family have to attend?
- It depends on what is agreed. Many processes start with whoever made contact and define along the way who takes part, and when.