What is Systemic Psychotherapy?

Do you remember a night when you just couldn’t fall asleep for hours…?
Maybe you spent too much time scrolling through social media, lay in bed ruminating, or had too much caffeine in the evening.

The next morning, you probably felt the effects of that lack of sleep: perhaps it was hard to concentrate or complete your tasks – which triggered your inner critic (“I can’t get anything done again!”). Maybe you were more irritable than usual or found yourself in conflict more easily. Perhaps a colleague noticed you looked tired, while another complained the presentation wasn’t finished – which only worsened your mood.

You probably tried to get through the day with the resources available to you: lots of coffee, a short nap, cancelling a meeting, or avoiding conversations with coworkers.

Even such small everyday situations show: our experiences, thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected – and embedded in our environment.
This is exactly where systemic psychotherapy comes in.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Systemic therapy helps piece together many individual experiences and reactions into a larger picture – like a puzzle. The aim is not to find the one cause of a problem, but to understand how difficulties arise and are maintained – through the interaction between ourselves and others.

Looking at the Social Context

A defining feature of systemic therapy is working in what’s called a “multi-person setting.” This means that if it seems helpful, significant others – such as family members, partners, or friends – can be included in the sessions. This allows misunderstandings to be cleared up, shared solutions to be developed, and relationship dynamics to be addressed directly. Despite initial hesitation, joint conversations often prove beneficial for all involved and can accelerate change in the therapy process. Of course, it’s entirely up to you if and when this might feel right for you.

Solution-Oriented & Resource-Enhancing

Systemic therapy doesn’t focus solely on problems – it especially emphasizes resources, strengths, and abilities. Together, we explore what you would like to change and what skills you already possess to support that journey. Often, small shifts are enough to set larger processes in motion.

The work is creative, dynamic, and experiential: through the use of visualizations, symbols, or practical exercises, a completely new perspective on familiar themes often emerges.

Other Treatment Options: