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 treat psychological problems in which at least two or three subjects are involved.
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 facing the resistance that the system may present, since sometimes people go to therapy without the purpose of changing and they only want to demonstrate 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.
Systemic therapy is a type of psychotherapeutic intervention that focuses on studying and treating social interactions. That is, unlike other types of therapies, here it is understood that the problem is located in social relationships and the mode of communication. Thus, the evaluation and assessment of the individual will take into account the social groups that surround them and how they interact with them. Psychologists who start from systemic therapy understand that intervening on people and their problems is not possible if the environment around them is not taken into account.
The object of study is the system, understood as a set of interacting subjects 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, referring to the fact that it is the one who expresses the problem who is the carrier of the symptom, of the systemic dysfunction, but is not the cause of the problem. The focus of study and intervention is the group and each element that forms it.
So, each subject interacts and is part of different systems with which it relates more or less; for example, the family, work, the couple, school, the 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 of which the greatest 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 constitute the system, assessing: the suprasystem, which is the environment in which the system is developed, enveloped; subsystem which is the name given to the different components of the system; closed system, which are interactions that do not exchange information with the external environment, and open system, which, on the contrary, does have interaction with the external environment.
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 keep in mind that two levels are differentiated in communication: the content aspects related to the abstract part of communication, the code, this is called the digital level, and the relational aspects that refer to the non-verbal and paraverbal part. of communication, called the analog level.
The relationships established in communication can be equality or difference.. In the first case, the interaction will be symmetrical, the subjects are at the same hierarchical level, an example would be a couple’s relationship. 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-child relationship would be of this type.
Given the relevance of communication in systems, One of the factors most studied 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 pathology in subjects. In this way, different dysfunctional modes of communication have been identified such as the double bind, where we observe an incongruence between the digital and analog levels mentioned above, being one of the dysfunctions that is related to schizophrenia.
Other types of communicative alteration are: symmetrical escalation (in this case we observe that the subjects forming the interaction respond by increasing the frequency or intensity of communication to achieve equal status with the other in the relationship) and rigid complementarity (the subjects establish a rigid complementary relationship, one of the individuals always remaining above the other).
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 be aware of them so that the members themselves can solve the problem and also know how to deal with future alterations.
Another notable feature of this type of intervention is non-use of diagnosis, since this may involve blaming or stigmatizing 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 normally appears is the family.
Thus, the focus of treatment will be on improving the relationships and interactions that cause the problem and not so much on directly intervening 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.
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 of modifying the conceptual frameworkthat is, the context where the dysfunction takes place with the purpose of being able to perceive or evaluate the situation in a different way.
2. Redefinition
Redefining, also called reframing, has the objective of generate a different reading or interpretation of the facts with the purpose of modifying or calling into question the organization and structure of the system.
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 goal is by posing the problem as a sacrifice, in other words, stating 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 function the symptom plays in the patient’s life. Sometimes it is observed that subjects go to therapy without the purpose of changing or improving, only with the intention of demonstrating that the problem is irremediable and expressing how the therapist cannot do anything.
In this way, the therapist’s way of intervening will be aimed at acting in a way contrary to what is 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.
This technique consists of asking the patient to perform the symptom. That is to say, You are encouraged to have the symptom but in a controlled manner in order to reduce resistance.. The way to do this can be by: requesting slow change, you are advised to make small changes to reduce the probability of risk or rigidity; prescription of no change, the therapist expresses that change is not necessary and that it is better to stay 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 to ensure that the system follows specific guidelines to try to achieve a change in the way the components act, strengthen the therapist’s relationship with the system or obtain more information.
7. Illusion of alternatives
The illusion of alternatives also known as ordeals consists of present the situation dichotomouslywhere 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 to overcome 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 the relationship, comparison and distinction what the therapist does about different phenomena linked to the dynamics of the system.
10. Sculpture technique
The sculpture technique 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 Chorus Technique
The technique of the Greek chorus is related to the dilemma of change, since it consists of contrast positions for and against change given by the subjects that make up the system.
12. The letters
The card technique is intended to writing messages from one individual in the family to anotherwith different purposes from congratulating, encouraging or saying goodbye.
13. 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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