Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T04:14:09.269Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Key Systemic Ideas as Seen Through the Eyes of First-Year Trainees

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2012

Roxanne Garven*
Affiliation:
Systemic Consultation Centre, Perth, [email protected]
Helen White
Affiliation:
Systemic Consultation Centre, Perth, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Roxanne Garven, Systemic Consultation Centre, 203 Park Street, Subiaco, WA 6008 Australia.
Get access

Abstract

This article offers an introduction to key systemic ideas as seen through the eyes of first-year trainees in a postgraduate systemic therapy course. Our aim is to present these ideas in user-friendly, accessible language, with examples to illustrate their use. The article is organised around three main themes: how a family system gets organised; how systemic work helps to effect change in families; and how a systemic therapist creates a context for change. Ideas covered include circular patterns, processes and questions, feedback loops, the importance of context, the interdependence of meaning and action, taking a meta-perspective, systemic hypothesising, neutrality, curiosity, second-order change, use of language and the position of the therapist. The article may be of particular interest to those who are new to systemic ideas, as well as for those involved in providing training in systemic practice.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)