Systemic therapy: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:52, 13 August 2024

Systemic Therapy

Systemic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that seeks to address people not only on the individual level but as people in relationships, dealing with the interactions of groups and their interactional patterns and dynamics. It is used to treat families and couples, as well as individuals who are part of larger systems.

Overview[edit]

Systemic therapy has its roots in family therapy and is sometimes referred to as family therapy or systems therapy. The approach is based on the belief that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation from their family units or relationships. Systemic therapy looks at the complex systems within which people live and the various interactions within those systems.

History[edit]

The development of systemic therapy began in the 1950s and 1960s with therapists such as Murray Bowen, who introduced Family systems theory, and Salvador Minuchin, known for his work on Structural family therapy. These pioneers emphasized the importance of understanding the family as a dynamic system with its own structure and patterns of communication.

Techniques[edit]

Systemic therapy uses a range of techniques derived from other therapeutic traditions, including psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, and cognitive therapy. Techniques may include:

Genograms: Pictorial representations of family relationships and medical history.
Reflecting teams: A technique where a team of therapists reflects on a family session, offering different perspectives.
Circular questioning: A method of asking questions to explore relationships and differing perspectives within the family.

Applications[edit]

Systemic therapy is applied in various settings, including:

Marriage counseling
Family conflict resolution
Treatment of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders
Substance abuse counseling

Effectiveness[edit]

Research on systemic therapy has shown it to be effective for a wide range of family and couple issues. It is particularly noted for its effectiveness in improving communication patterns, understanding family dynamics, and resolving conflicts.

Training and Certification[edit]

Professionals practicing systemic therapy typically undergo specialized training in family and systemic psychotherapies. Certification and licensure vary by country and region, with many therapists holding advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, or social work.

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-'''Systemic therapy''' is a form of treatment that employs substances that circulate throughout the bloodstream. This method ensures that the therapeutic agents have the potential to reach and affect target cells, such as cancer cells, anywhere in the body. Systemic therapy stands in contrast to [[local therapy]], which targets specific areas of the body, such as surgery or radiation.
+{{Infobox medical treatment
+| name          = Systemic Therapy
+| image         =
+| alt           =
+| caption       =
+| pronounce     =
+| specialty     = [[Psychology]], [[Family therapy]]
+| drugs         =
+| uses          = Treatment of familial and relationship issues
+| other_names   =
+}}
-=== Types of Systemic Therapy ===
+'''Systemic therapy''' is a form of [[psychotherapy]] that seeks to address people not only on the individual level but as people in relationships, dealing with the interactions of groups and their interactional patterns and dynamics. It is used to treat families and couples, as well as individuals who are part of larger systems.
-There are various types of systemic therapies, each designed to target cancer cells in different ways:
+==Overview==
+Systemic therapy has its roots in [[family therapy]] and is sometimes referred to as family therapy or systems therapy. The approach is based on the belief that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation from their family units or relationships. Systemic therapy looks at the complex systems within which people live and the various interactions within those systems.
-* '''[[Chemotherapy]]''': Uses drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. These drugs can be taken orally or injected into the bloodstream.
+==History==
-* '''[[Hormone therapy]]''': Targets cancers that grow in response to hormones by either lowering hormone levels or blocking their effects on cancer cells.
+The development of systemic therapy began in the 1950s and 1960s with therapists such as [[Murray Bowen]], who introduced [[Family systems theory]], and [[Salvador Minuchin]], known for his work on [[Structural family therapy]]. These pioneers emphasized the importance of understanding the family as a dynamic system with its own structure and patterns of communication.
-* '''[[Targeted therapy]]''': Uses drugs that are designed to target specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival.
-* '''[[Immunotherapy]]''': Enhances the body's natural defense mechanisms to fight cancer.
-* '''[[Biological therapy]]''': Uses living organisms, their derivatives, or synthetic versions to treat cancer. This includes vaccines, bacteria, or human immune cells.
-=== Applications ===
+==Techniques==
+Systemic therapy uses a range of techniques derived from other therapeutic traditions, including [[psychoanalysis]], [[behavioral therapy]], and [[cognitive therapy]]. Techniques may include:
+* Genograms: Pictorial representations of family relationships and medical history.
+* Reflecting teams: A technique where a team of therapists reflects on a family session, offering different perspectives.
+* Circular questioning: A method of asking questions to explore relationships and differing perspectives within the family.
-Systemic therapy is employed in various scenarios:
+==Applications==
+Systemic therapy is applied in various settings, including:
+* [[Marriage counseling]]
+* Family conflict resolution
+* Treatment of mental health issues like [[depression]], [[anxiety]], and [[personality disorders]]
+* Substance abuse counseling
-* '''Primary Treatment''': To shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy or to kill cancer cells after local treatments.
+==Effectiveness==
-* '''Adjuvant Treatment''': Following primary treatments to kill any remaining cancer cells.
+Research on systemic therapy has shown it to be effective for a wide range of family and couple issues. It is particularly noted for its effectiveness in improving communication patterns, understanding family dynamics, and resolving conflicts.
-* '''Neoadjuvant Treatment''': Before a primary treatment to make it more effective.
-* '''Maintenance Therapy''': To prevent cancer from coming back.
-* '''Palliative Therapy''': To alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life when the cancer is advanced.
-=== Side Effects ===
+==Training and Certification==
+Professionals practicing systemic therapy typically undergo specialized training in family and systemic psychotherapies. Certification and licensure vary by country and region, with many therapists holding advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, or social work.
-As systemic therapy affects the entire body, it may also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects. Common side effects include:
+==See also==
-* Fatigue
+* [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]]
-* Nausea and vomiting
+* [[Interpersonal therapy]]
-* [[Hair loss]]
+* [[Psychotherapy]]
-* [[Anemia]]
-* Increased risk of infections due to weakened immune system
-However, the exact side effects vary based on the type of therapy, the specific drugs or agents used, the dose, and the patient's overall health.
+[[Category:Psychotherapy]]
+[[Category:Family therapy]]
-=== Future Directions ===
+{{Psychology-stub}}
-With advancements in research, newer forms of systemic therapies are emerging, which are more specific to cancer cells and have fewer side effects. Precision medicine, which customizes treatments based on the genetic makeup of the cancer, is also gaining traction.
-== See Also ==
-* [[Oncology]]
-* [[Radiation Therapy]]
-* [[Tumor]]
-== References ==
-* DeVita, V. T., Lawrence, T. S., & Rosenberg, S. A. "Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology". Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011.
-* National Cancer Institute. "Systemic Therapy for Cancer". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019.
-{{stub}}
-[[Category:Medical treatments]]
-[[Category:Oncology]]