From Objectivism to Constructivism and Social Constructionism in Systemic Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and constructivism

Abstract

The paper is a reflection upon the unfolding of systemic psychotherapies, most of all of family psychotherapy, starting from an assumption that it is a circular evolution of ideas and practices foun­ded on three basic sets of shifts as well as connections in the underlying epistemologies. The terminology of cybernetics of three different orders, corresponding to the three sets of shifts and connections mentioned, is used and applied in the context of psychotherapy, showing their consequences for therapeutic practice. Apart from posing a basic question of the observer-therapist experiencing him- or herself as being separate from or a part of the observed-client system, three connecting themes are addressed that help us draw both similarities and differences between the three distinct models of systemic therapy: are the problems under­stood primarily as resulting from individual factors and family dynamics as opposed to societal factors; is there an assumption of objectively existing normality as opposed to an emphasis on diversity; whether family members are seen as entirely self-determined as opposed to constrained by their experiences. It is argumented that the postmodern systemic therapies, founded upon social constructionism, have made another circle of reflexivity (regarding wider societal and cultural influences) and redefined psychotherapy as co-creative dialogical practice adopting also a new role of society-transforming activity.