Systemic Psychotherapy & Trauma Informed Approach

At A.R.C. we use a systemic, trauma-informed method that prioritises the client. This centres on the human connection and relationship between the therapist and the client.

What is a trauma informed approach?

A Trauma-informed approach recognises, understands has empathy for the impact of trauma on an individual and those around them. It seeks to eliminate the anxiety and triggering environment around receiving therapeutic care for those with trauma. A Trauma-informed approach has been shown to increase the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and interactions with clients.

What is systemic psychotherapy?

Systemic therapy is a approach/way of thinking that is different to other theoretical models. It is a approach to working with, individuals, couples, families and groups.

Systemic thinking believes that everyone exists in a system, whether it is family, a relationship, culture, religion, work, school or so on. A system is simply a community or network in which you act on and are affected by.

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There are many approaches within systemic therapy but all seek to bring about 3 major shifts in the “system”:

1. Shift perspective from the individual to systems (e.g. couple, family, etc.) dynamics.

In shifting one's perspective to systems dynamics, the client(s) may look at rules, roles and boundaries through therapy and make changes where needed.

2. Shift from linear to circular causality (e.g. a causes b causes a causes b cause..)

Another way to look at circular causality is moving away from blaming but accepting responsibility/being accountable for their role in the “sharing” of the problem.

3. Separate content and process (i.e. content is the details, process is a level deeper and explains what is going on relationally and in relationships).

What is content and process? Content is the details of a situation that people get caught up in. Content isn't really resolvable because the undercurrent – the process – doesn't change unless you actually focus the work on that.

What Systemic Psychotherapy doesn’t do:

Other psychotherapeutic approaches feel that difficult past experiences become ‘roots’ that lead to our present-day problems. For example, psychodynamic psychotherapy sees you talking about your past each session.

A systemic lens doesn’t try to find the cause in the past.

Instead, it looks to the groups you operate within and believes a pattern of dysfunctional behaviours and beliefs cause your issues.

It doesn’t see you as “flawed” or needing a “diagnosis”

This places the blame on the individual. Systemic therapy would suggest you are a resourceful, powerful person. You are just unfortunately operating in a family or group (system) that has unhelpful or unhealthy patterns.

It’s practical over analytical

Many types of therapy seek to understand. Why you are who you are, and what causes you to do things? It’s analytical. Systemic therapy seeks to troubleshoot and solve. What is causing you or the group to be stuck? What nudge could create new movement in the ways you relate and communicate? It’s practical.

What sort of issues can Systematic Therapy help with?

Systemic therapy is often used to treat a wide range of problems, including relationship issues, family conflicts, and problems related to communication and problem-solving.

It can be helpful for individuals, couples, families, and other social systems.

Systemic therapy is often used to treat a wide range of problems, including:

Relationship issues: Systemic therapy can be helpful for people who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships, such as communication problems, conflict, or intimacy issues.
Family conflicts: Systemic therapy can be useful for families who are experiencing conflicts or other problems, and can help them develop better communication and problem-solving skills.
Parenting problems: Systemic therapy can be helpful for parents who are struggling with parenting challenges, such as managing difficult behaviours or supporting their child's development.
Couples therapy: Systemic therapy can be an effective treatment for couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship, such as communication problems or intimacy issues.
Mental health problems: Systemic therapy can be helpful for people with mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, as it can help them understand and change the patterns of interaction and communication within their social system that may be contributing to their difficulties.

Systemic therapy can also be helpful for things like:

addictions and substance abuse
anxiety/ anxiety disorders/ panic disorders
body image issues and eating disorders
depression
low self-esteem
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma
relationship problems
schizophrenia

Benefits of systemic therapy – is it for you?

How can systemic therapy benefit you, your family, or your group? It’s a therapy for you if you’d like to:

see your problems in new and different ways
understand different perspectives
recognise your strengths and resources and how to use them
learn how to work together (if attending as family)
find ways to deal with difficulties that work for you and those around you
identify beneficial changes
cope better as a unit.