Systemic therapy, according to McDaniel (1992), seeks to address issues affecting groups of people in relationships, but not individuals. It deals with the interactional dynamics and patterns of groups. The roots of systemic therapy are anchored in family therapy. Family therapy as Bowlby (1949) argues, helps to resolve the tension that may exist among different members of the family.
As such, total family structure is prioritized. Just like family therapy, systemic therapy helps people to live together and at the same time reduce tensions that could be driving them apart. This therapy does not perceive problems analytically but, practically. It is not concerned with past causes and does not assign diagnoses for instance, who is the sick, instead, it screens for stagnant patterns in groups of people (family); it addresses the challenge directly.
In essence, this theory is not concerned with the treatment of causes or symptoms, rather it equips families with nudges that assists them develop new patterns together through the realization of an organization structure that necessitates growth (McDaniel, 1992). It is essential to note that the circumstances at hand, play a critical role in the determination of the problem that an individual faces. For instance, tension, anxiety or depression are responses in the body to environmental stressors such as work or family.
Systemic therapy thus helps psychotherapists to look at the outside stressors that an individual who is seeking therapy faces. This is where this therapy draws its strengths. With respect to these strengths, I’m sure that systemic therapy would provide diverse solutions (familial/group solutions) and this is exceptionally vital in psychotherapy. That is why I would apply this therapy in practice.
References
Bowlby, J. (1949). The Study and Reduction of Group Tensions in the Family.pp.291-298.
McDaniel, S.H. (1992). Medical Family Therapy: A Biopychosocial Approach to Families with Health Problems. New York: Basic Books.
