I. The Systemic Perspective Power Point presentation prepared by Leslie Barnes-Young, PhD, Francis Marion University “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of program.” Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

Family Therapy is derived from Systems Theory… A worldview that emerged in the 1940s. Early proponents were dissatisfied with the lack of progress patients made when treated via individual psychotherapies. But they were encouraged by signs that group therapies had a positive impact on behavior. In addition, WWII produced new technologies that early theorists applied to families. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

Individual psychotherapies are older than family therapies… They are still the predominant models adopted by practitioners today. Nevertheless, systems theory represents an alternative worldview whose impact on the conceptualization and treatment of psychopathology is growing. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

Family Therapies differ from traditional models that: View the individual as the agent of change Ask, why? Think linearly (A causes B) Treat the “mind” Focus on the past Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 From a systems view– Relationships are the agents of change Think circularly (A and B mutually influence one another.) Ask, what? Treat the interactions between individuals Focus on the present Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

Over time, other differences between the two schools emerged: Individual models of therapy Focus on content Have not generally attended to context Are reductionistic Recognize individual developmental trajectories Family therapies Focus on process Attempt to understand context Greater complexity Recognize individual and familial development Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003

To learn more about the systemic perspective, go to: http://www.aamft.org/FamilyTherapyResources/index_nm.asp Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003