What is systemic therapy for?

Systemic therapy focuses on evaluating and intervening in the dysfunctional interactions that arise in the different systems that are part of the subjects' lives. Thus, they deal with psychological problems involving at least two or three subjects.

Systemic models understand that the problem does not depend only on a single individual, but rather that it arises in the relationships of the different members that make up a system. In order to intervene in dysfunction and systemic crises, different strategies have been used, most of them aimed at dealing with resistance that can present the system, since sometimes people go to therapy without the purpose of changing and just want to show that there is no solution.

In this article We will see what systemic therapy is and what it is for and what strategies you use in your application.

• Related article: "Family therapy: types and forms of application"

What is systemic therapy?

systemic therapy is a type of psychotherapeutic intervention that focuses on studying and treating social interactions

. That is, unlike other kinds of therapies, here it is understood that the problem is situated in social relationships and in the mode of communication. Thus, the evaluation and assessment of the individual will take into account the social groups that surround him and how he interacts with them. Psychologists who start from systemic therapy understand that intervening on people and their problems is not possible if the environment that surrounds them is not taken into account.

The object of study is the system, understood as a set of subjects in interaction that have independent properties with respect to the consideration of the subjects separately. In this way, the individual who comes to therapy due to the presence of a problem receives the name of identified patient, making reference to the fact that he is the one who expresses the problem. problem who is the bearer of the symptom, of systemic dysfunction, but is not the cause of the problem, the focus of study and intervention is the group and each element that shape.

A) Yes, each subject interacts and is part of different systems with which it is related more or less; for example, family, work, partner, school, group of friends... We see how these systems can be larger or smaller, from two to more people. Thus, this therapy gives importance to assessing how the subject experiences the interpersonal sphere.

Now, although, as we have said, the systems that make up the life of a subject are multiple; The main system and the one on which the largest number of studies have been carried out, given the close relationships between its members and the impact it has on each subject, is the family..

The therapist will take into account the elements, properties and interactions that make up the system, assessing: the suprasystem, which is the medium in which the system develops, surrounds; subsystem which is the name given to the different components of the system; closed system that are the interactions that do not exchange information with the external environment and open system, which on the contrary, do have interaction with the external environment.

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The importance of the communication

An important factor in systemic therapy is communication, understood not only as verbal expression but as any mode of expression. It is stated that it is impossible not to communicate, and that even silence communicates. In this way, the mode of communication will be different, being able to accept, reject or disqualify a message, the latter being linked to the expression of the symptom.

We must bear in mind that two levels are differentiated in communication: the content aspects related to the abstract part of the communication, the code, this is called the digital level and the relational aspects that refers to the nonverbal and paraverbal part of communication, called the analogical.

The relationships established in communication can be equal or different. In the first case, the interaction will be symmetrical, the subjects are at the same hierarchical level, an example would be the relationship of a couple. In the second case, the link is complementary, highlighting the importance of the difference between the different members that make up the system; for example, in the family the mother-son relationship would be of this type.

Given the relevance of communication in systems, one of the most studied factors by systemic therapy is communication in the family environment, since it has been seen that it is the one that most influences the development of the pathology in the subjects. In this way, different dysfunctional modes of communication have been identified, such as the double bind, where we observe a inconsistency between the digital and analog level mentioned above, being one of the dysfunctions that is related to the schizophrenia.

Other types of communicative alteration are: symmetric escalation (in this case we observe that the subjects that form the interaction respond by increasing the frequency or intensity of communication to become equal to the other in the relationship) and the Rigid complementarity (subjects establish a rigid complementary relationship, always keeping one of the individuals for on top of the other).

• Related article: "The 28 types of communication and their characteristics"

The application and functions of systemic therapy

The systemic therapy therapist has the function of intervening in moments of crisis that occur in the systems. The main objective of this intervention is to identify the strengths and resources that the subjects that make up the system have. to help them to be aware of them so that it is the members themselves who solve the problem and know how to deal with changes as well future.

Another noteworthy feature of this type of intervention is non-use diagnostic, since this may lead to the blaming or stigmatization of the affected subject by the system. In this way, the link between the symptom and the system will be sought. We remember that the main system and where the symptom usually appears is the family.

Thus, the focus of treatment will focus on improving the relationships and interactions that cause the problem and not so much on intervening directly or modifying the problem behavior. It is important that the therapist does not get closer to one of the subjects of the system than to another; therefore, each member must be kept equidistant.

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Techniques used in systemic therapy

The systemic professional applies strategies with the purpose of improving and generating change in the relationship of the members of the system. The selection of techniques will depend on the type of dysfunctional interaction. We will work with at least two or three members of the system, also carrying out an individual intervention. Let's see what the main techniques are.

1. Reformulation

The reformulation consists in modifying the conceptual framework, that is, the context where the dysfunction takes place with the purpose of being able to perceive or assess the situation in a different way.

2. redefinition

Redefinition, also called reframing, has the objective of generate a different reading or interpretation of the facts in order to modify or question the organization and structure of the system.

• Related article: "Cognitive restructuring: how is this therapeutic strategy?"

3. positive connotation

The positive connotation is intended to make a positive interpretation of the symptom, give a positive meaning to the problem. The most common way to achieve this purpose is by approaching the problem as a sacrifice, in other words way, to refer that the subject identified with the symptom presents the alteration with the purpose of sacrificing himself for the system.

4. Resistance to change

Resistance to change shows as the main objective identify what is the role of the symptom in the patient's life. Sometimes it is observed that subjects attend therapy without the purpose of changing or improving, only with the intention to demonstrate that the problem is irremediable and to show how the therapist cannot do nothing.

In this way, the therapist's way of intervening will be aimed at acting contrary to what was expected and asking the patient "why do you have to change?", thus generating a context different from the usual one in therapy and modifying the meaning of the situation.

5. paradoxical intervention

This technique consists of asking the patient to perform the symptom. Namely, you are encouraged to have the symptom but in a controlled way in order to reduce resistance. The way to do it can be by: slow change request, you are advised to make small changes to decrease the probability of risk or stiffness; prescription of no change, the therapist expresses that change is not necessary and that it is better to remain as they are; prescription of the symptom in different situations, with the purpose of breaking with its functionality and meaning.

6. task prescription

The task prescription seeks that the system follows specific guidelines to try to achieve a change in the mode of action of the components, strengthen the therapist's relationship with the system or get more information.

7. illusion of alternatives

The illusion of alternatives also known as ordeals consists of frame the situation dichotomously, where there are only two possible alternatives to choose from and the subject must select one.

8. Use of analogies

The use of analogies is another way of overcoming resistance, in this case posing a metaphorical situation through images or stories to confront and deal with the problem indirectly.

9. circular questioning

Circular questioning is based on relation, comparison and distinction what the therapist does of different phenomena linked to the dynamics of the system.

10. sculpture technique

The technique of sculpture is a strategy used in psychodrama that consists of each subject in the system taking turns represents the gestures, actions, expressions of the other members of the system with the purpose that they can express how they feel.

11. Greek choir technique

The technique of the Greek choir is related to the dilemma of change, since it consists of Contrasting positions for and against change given by the subjects that make up the system.

12. Letters

The card technique is intended to compose messages from one individual in the family to another, with different purposes from congratulating, encouraging or saying goodbye.

13. the rituals

The strategy of the ritual consists of symbolizing, representing, the process or transition that the system is going through, with the purpose of be aware of it and improve it.

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