Systemic Therapist

The systemic clinician makes several assumptions about the client and the identified “problem;” clients have strengths and are resilient; they are a part of several systems that they affect, affecting them conversely. As for the “identified problem,” the clinician believes it is the product of certain interactional cycles, hence understanding the contexts, including cultural beliefs. The clinician also assumes and is interested in the unique outcomes and exceptions to the “problem,” as change is inevitable, and “the problem is the problem” and not the client. Furthermore, change has a ripple effect; a small change can create other changes (within and across systems).

From a systemic perspective, “problems” can be managed and alleviated; the goal is not to fix something or someone, as they do not operate from a pathology stance. The clinician instead is interested in the presenting systems to obtain a sense of mutual satisfaction. All is not bad in the world of therapy, as we are seeing many more clients seeking services for the sake of personal growth (improving lifestyle, mental wellness, etc.). Therefore, the clinician is reminded the client is the expert of his or her life and the clinician of the therapeutic process, which requires collaboration. The clinician’s stance on the potential implications on the problem as well as the sought out change lies within the primary system and across the other interrelated systems, recognizing though he or she may not have many of the critical people/pieces in the therapy room. As a systemic thinker and use of systemic questions, the clinician should be able to conceptualize the “problem” effectively to collaborate with the clients in obtaining/developing/constructing a more fitting/appropriate/pleasing change. To do this, the clinician must consider the systems involved and the cultural elements.

Note, many therapeutic models have derived from Systems Theory that is considered either modern or postmodern, as well as those that did not initially ascribe to this theory, however many current clinicians have altered their “non-systemic” model (CBT, BT, Medical models, etc.) of choice to incorporate a more systemic lens and concepts respectively.