Mental health treatment is on the rise as more people seek help for issues like depression, anxiety, and other conditions. Therapy can help anyone who needs a bit of guidance in their lives. Of course, with so many options for care, it’s hard to select the right treatment plan.
One option available to you is systemic approaches to therapy. If you’ve never considered this route before, keep reading. We’ll explain everything you need to know about the topic.
What Is Systemic Therapy?
Systemic therapy is a type of psychotherapy. The focus of this treatment type is on how a person’s relationships, choices, and behavior patterns intertwine and affect the issues they face.
The goal of systemic therapy is to help patients understand how their individual feelings are connected to certain symptoms they experience.
As you may have guessed from the name, this type of treatment revolves around the systems theory or how parts of a whole affect one another and the overall stability of a system. It can be administered in individual, group, or family therapy sessions.
Some techniques include reframing, conceptualization, and circular questioning.
Reframing helps an individual realize how they may see themselves or others around them. A therapist might guide them and offer a different viewpoint to consider.
Conceptualization involves taking a patient’s problems or symptoms and putting them in a new context. This technique helps a patient work through their issues in a different way.
Circular questioning is a common technique that lets an individual think about topics relationally. It can also help them to refocus their thoughts.
Who Benefits From Systemic Approaches to Therapy?
Systemic therapy can help patients develop insights into their lives and learn how certain choices and patterns may affect their feelings and options. For example, it can help someone identify and change unhealthy patterns.
This type of treatment helps individuals of any age. However, it may be particularly effective in cases where someone is repressing emotions. People struggling with trauma, conflict, substance abuse disorders, relationship problems, or similar issues may find this path particularly useful.
If you find you have difficulty maintaining relationships, you may find a solution such as Naya Clinics : Therapy & Marriage Counseling an excellent option.
Other issues that systemic therapy can help to resolve include, but aren’t limited to the following:
- Anger management
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD
Here are some examples of individuals that might try systemic therapy.
Those With Addictions or Substance Abuse Issues
Someone struggling with alcohol use disorder may seek therapy when they realize their life is on a downward path. Perhaps they’ve lost their job or a significant other due to drinking problems.
Systemic therapy can pinpoint possible factors that contributed to the problem in the first place. It highlights the connection between addiction and how it affects other aspects of that person’s life.
Someone That Has Trouble Controlling Their Anger
Some people may find they struggle with uncontrollable surges of anger and may lash out at those around them. This can have a devastating effect on their personal relationships, and it may even get them in trouble with the law.
A systemic approach to therapy might help this individual learn appropriate and healthy ways to express frustration or anger. A trained therapist can also help them understand how anger management issues affect their relationships.
A Patient With an Eating Disorder
Individuals with self-esteem issues or those struggling with eating disorders can also benefit from systemic therapy. A therapist can help them to better understand their feelings of inadequacy and how it relates to conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating.
Those Struggling to Find the Right Type of Therapy
Finding the right type of therapy can take some trial and error. It may take you some time to find a therapist that you connect with and feel is making a significant difference in your life.
If other types of therapy or counseling haven’t helped, you may want to consider systemic approaches. It can help you to develop more self-understanding and experience different perspectives.
Systemic therapy also gives individuals a feeling of empowerment. This type of treatment focuses on taking charge of your life and making healthy changes to become a better version of yourself.
What to Expect From Your Sessions
If you’ve never attended a therapy session before, you may be feeling nervous. Perhaps you don’t know what to expect and you’re wondering how to prepare.
First off, take a deep breath. Your therapist is there to guide you and listen, not to judge.
There also isn’t any one way to get the most out of therapy. Each individual is different, and each therapist’s approach varies as well.
However, we can help you understand what to expect from your first session.
You Begin With Paperwork
In most cases, you’ll have to fill out some paperwork before your first session. These include HIPPA forms, insurance information, family medical history, therapist-patient services agreement, etc.
You’ll likely fill out a questionnaire about your symptoms and goals for therapy. The purpose is to create a road map or rough guide of what you want from your sessions.
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure or if you’re afraid you might change your mind. Just be open and honest and put down your best answer.
The Initial Visit: When Your Therapist Learns About You
The first visit with your therapist is a trial period that allows the two of you to get to know one another. It’s an excellent time to ask questions and discuss your goals. If you’re apprehensive about anything, now is the time to bring it up.
Your therapist might ask you questions such as:
- What brings you to therapy?
- What are your goals for these sessions?
- What are your symptoms?
Remember, the more upfront and honest you are with a therapist the more you can get out of these sessions.
Psychotherapy can last anywhere from a few weeks to months depending on your goals and situation. The idea is to teach patients the skills and habits they need to overcome obstacles and face problems.
Systemic Approaches to Therapy: Is It Right for You?
Now that you know more about systemic approaches to therapy, you might have a better idea of whether it’s a good solution for you. It may be the solution you’re looking for to help improve your mental health! If you’re looking for more health and wellness advice, we’ve got you covered. Read some of our other content to make the most of your life and achieve well-being.
