Systemic psychology is a therapeutic approach that examines the links and interactions within the systems in which a person functions, such as family, work or relationships. Unlike other therapeutic approaches that focus exclusively on the individual, systemic psychology takes into account how problems or behaviors may be influenced by the social and family environment. This approach provides insight into the dynamics of human groups and, in doing so, promotes more effective interventions for resolving conflicts and improving the emotional well-being of its members.

The Basis of Systemic Psychology: Beyond the Individual

In systemic psychology, the individual is viewed as a piece of a much larger puzzle. This approach emphasizes relationships and communication, understanding that a person's mental and emotional health depends not only on his or her internal state, but also on the links and contexts in which he or she is immersed. This working model starts from the premise that psychological problems are not caused solely by the individual, but are influenced by interactions with other members of the system.

In therapy sessions, the systemic therapist seeks to identify recurring patterns in family or social interactions that contribute to distress. By understanding these patterns, more targeted solutions can be applied to modify communication dynamics and the way system members relate to each other, thus achieving lasting and positive changes.

What is Systemic Therapy and how does it work?

Systemic Therapy is used to treat emotional and psychological problems within family, work or even couple relationships contexts. One of the pillars of this therapy is the belief that changes in one part of the system affect all its parts, so the intervention is done on a collective level.

For example, in the family setting, systemic therapists often work with all family members to address problems such as stress, interpersonal conflicts, or behavioral disorders. Rather than focusing on the individual "cause" of the problem, the therapist pays attention to how the interactions and behaviors of family members reinforce each other, creating a cycle of difficulties.

This type of therapy is based on the idea that relationships are fundamental to mental health. Therefore, one of the main goals of systemic psychology is to improve the way people interact with each other and their environment. This is achieved through the modification of communication patterns, conflict resolution and the promotion of greater empathy and mutual understanding.

Principal characteristics of Systemic Psychology

Holistic approach: Systemic psychology moves away from the exclusive analysis of the individual and focuses on the study of the interactions between people within a given system. This implies that both family dynamics and the roles that each member plays are important to understand the behavior of each member.

Relationships as the central axis: Interpersonal relationships are the main focus of systemic psychology. From this perspective, psychological problems are not only due to the person's internal problems, but to the way he or she interacts and communicates with others.

Change through pattern modification: In systemic therapy, change is sought by modifying patterns of communication, behavior and dynamics within the system. A dynamic view of problems is used, considering that conflicts are perpetuated when members of the system do not modify the way they relate.

Multidimensionality: This approach addresses the emotional, as well as the physical, cultural and social context of the individual, allowing a more complete and accurate view of his or her situation.

Working with all members of the system: The intervention usually includes all members of the social or family group to identify factors contributing to distress and how these can be modified as a whole.

Applications of Systemic Psychology

The applications of systemic psychology are diverse and can extend beyond the realm of family therapy. Some of its applications include:

• Family therapy: This is the most common application of systemic psychology. Here, the therapist seeks to resolve problems within the family, such as intergenerational conflicts, communication difficulties or cohabitation problems.
• Couple therapy: In systemic psychology, couple relationships are approached not only from the perspective of the individuals, but also from how both contribute to interaction patterns that could be generating conflicts.
• Interventions in groups: Group dynamics in work or educational environments can also be treated from a systemic approach, with the aim of improving the work environment or the interaction in study or work groups.
• Application in education: Educators can use systemic psychology to understand the interactions between students, teachers and family members, improving relationships within the educational environment and favoring the integral development of students.

Benefits of Systemic Psychology

The benefits of working with systemic psychology include improved communication, effective conflict resolution and fostering healthier relationships between individuals. This approach allows participants to identify and modify problematic dynamics that affect not only an individual, but the entire group, promoting collective well-being.

Also, by focusing on context and relationships, the changes achieved through systemic therapy tend to be more lasting, as the people involved understand how their behaviors impact the system and, therefore, the lives of others.