What is Systemic Psychotherapy?
Imagine a woman comes to therapy because she often suffers from exhaustion and sleep disorders. She says she feels “constantly tense” and has the feeling that she “never does enough”.
During the course of the sessions, it becomes apparent that Anna has been living in an environment for years where harmony and reliability play a major role – she wants to be there for everyone, not disappoint anyone, and meet all expectations. Her body ultimately reacts with fatigue and insomnia. What initially appears to be a disturbing symptom can also be seen as an attempt at a solution in systemic understanding: her body is forcing her to pause. Exhaustion is not the problem – it is a signal that something in the previous balance is no longer right.
Systemic psychotherapy explores precisely this connection: how are inner states and outer relationships connected? What role do unspoken expectations, loyalties or family patterns play? And what might the symptom be trying to “tell” us? By broadening the perspective – to include the interactions between thinking, feeling, behaviour and environment – new perspectives can emerge.
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. 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.
