The 6 benefits of Systemic Therapy in the family and the couple.

Summary of the areas of intervention of Systemic Therapy in the family and couple.

In the field of psychology there are various therapies and intervention modalities based on different theoretical models. Some focus more on the causes of particular problems or pathologies, while others are more focused on the context and the existing problem, for example. In any case, these models of psychotherapy differ both in the techniques they bring to psychologists and in their objectives and their way of conceiving the problem to be treated.

One of these modalities is Systemic Therapy, a type of psychotherapy that has more than half a century of history and stands out as one of the most and stands out as one of the most relevant and influential in the field of applied psychology.

What is Systemic Therapy?

Systemic Therapy focuses on the relationships, interactions and methods of communication existing between people, and is based on modifying those relational dynamics that may be at the basis of psychological problems, whether emotional or behavioral. It has its origins in the context of family therapy, but goes beyond this field of intervention.

This approach is based on the General Systems Theory.This implies, among other things, that it does not focus on each of the individuals that make up a group or collective, but conceives reality from a holistic and integrative perspective and based on the social context, made up of many elements that constantly interact with each other. In other words, it is more focused on relationships than on the private psychological phenomena of each person.

According to Systemic Therapy, each person or element within the system of relationships influences and conditions the rest through their actions, interactions and behaviors.

It is also a modality of intervention usually applied in family or couple environments, as it has a practical because it has a practical approach to problem solving, and also because of its great effectiveness in achieving positive changes in problems of a multicausal nature that affect several people at the same time.

Systemic Therapy values the power of communication to modify those maladaptive relationship patterns and dynamics existing both within the family and in a couple relationship, among other social contexts. Y it is especially in these two areas where this type of therapy offers a Wide range of benefits.

Its benefits in the face of family and couple problems

To better understand how this process of support works through psychotherapy, below you will find a summary of the main benefits of Systemic Therapy in the family and couple.

1. Improved communication

As has been indicated, one of the keys to Systemic Therapy is communication, and the ability to analyze the methods of communication in the context in which they take place, allowing the detection of non-individual relational problems.

Since communication deficits are often the basis of many of the problems and conflicts that exist in both the family and the couple, training in new communication skills, as well as in positive communication models, is indispensable to achieve success in interpersonal relationships..

The improvement in communication in a family nucleus has a positive impact on a wide variety of elements that generated conflict before therapy, as we will see below.

2. It allows one to express one's feelings

Another advantage of Systemic Therapy is that it encourages all members of the system to express themselves freely, talking about any subject without giving in to the fear of "what they will say" or of being judged, and without their contributions being judged or generating much discomfort..

This ability for everyone to express themselves allows problems of all kinds to be tackled at the root, such as states of distress or feelings of guilt that may have gone unnoticed until then because the person did not acknowledge them openly.

This favors an increase in interpersonal understanding, as well as empathy, and promotes improved relationships between family members or partners.

3. Promotes conflict resolution

Through Systemic Therapy applied to families and couples, the therapist also provides a series of tools and mechanisms for the resolution of recurring conflicts or problems, which each member of the household can use to resolve the conflict.that each member of the household can incorporate into their daily lives to contribute to an improvement in family relationships.

These problem-solving mechanisms can be based on different social and interpersonal skills, from anger and emotion management, assertiveness training, constructive discussion methods and non-verbal communication, to methods of organizing household chores or parenting guidelines for children.

4. Enhance emotional support

The improvement in mutual understanding through the good use of language and empathy worked on in the therapy sessions also stimulates and enables the improvement in emotional support among the members of the family system. In this way, act as assistants to the therapist between sessions..

By being aware of the needs and emotional problems of our family members, we also learn to offer our support, solidarity and understanding of their suffering.

5. Mutual help in the material aspects of living together

When the members of the couple or of a family group share their problems or difficulties of any kind, they can help each other with more everyday aspects that, in the long run, can generate stress; for example, certain household chores, or the search for information on any subject. This has the dual purpose of creates a support network that enhances the well-being of all, and at the same time, makes those who offer support feel satisfied to see that they are contributing to the relationship. to the relationship.

6. Promotes emotional repair

Mutual understanding of each other's problems favors the repair of old unresolved emotional conflicts within the couple or the family. That is to say that the ways are created by which it is possible not only to forgive, but also to repair damages as far as possible, which helps to reestablish the relationship.This helps to re-establish mutual trust and to mitigate forms of discomfort such as guilt.

When one of the members of the group is aware of the harm he or she may have caused, he or she is more likely to propose concrete measures to compensate, and in a context of cordiality and communication without fueling conflict, the aggrieved person is more likely to accept this initiative.

Are you looking for psychological support in the family or couple environment?

If you are looking for family or couple therapy services, please contact me. I work online offering effective techniques and adapted to each specific problem, from my more than 10 years of experience working in the field of psychological intervention.

Bibliographical references:

• Biscotti, O. (2006). Terapia de Pareja: una mirada sistémica. 1st. ed. Buenos Aires: Lumen.