Exegesis In my doctoral inquiry, I focused on the relational space in the therapy room. The relational space is a concept that may appear in different forms and include words, emotions, non-verbal communication, objects within the context of space and time (Gergen, 2015). As a systemic practitioner and practitioner researcher, I find the process, and, potentially, the outcome of therapy to be largely defined by: the relational space between myself and my client; the relational space within my different selves; and the interconnectedness of these relational spaces. By being both self-reflexive and relationally reflexive, my research addresses the question of how the relational space between client and therapist interconnects with the relational space within the therapist, thus creating “relational ripples” in the therapy room (Karamatsouki, 2020). My interest in the area emerged as in my practice I observed that when I bring more of myself in the therapy room, more of the client is in there, too. In order to study the complex encounter in the therapy room I used autoethnography through storywriting. Autoethnography, “an autobiographical genre of writing and research that displays multiple layers of consciousness” (Ellis, 2004, p. 37), gives access to research material from an insider’s perspective. I use stories from practice in a literary style and in an ethical manner, where the focus is neither on the therapy techniques nor on the client’s difficulties. Instead, the focus is on the relational conversation between my client and me, as well as my inner dialogue and thoughts and feelings. What follows in a story from within practice which appears in my doctoral thesis and shows the relational flow of the therapeutic process and the creation of relational ripples. In a way, what I am trying to do is expand systemic thinking by bringing to the fore the relational space within myself as a therapist and create a professionally employable space for the personal.

As systemic practitioners, thinkers, and researchers we have always written, often in the form of note taking, or maybe reflections for our own sense-making. But when we write for and with others, how do we do it in an ethical and reflexive manner, in ways that feel "true", respectful and fair? How do we honour our voice(s) as well as the voices of the people with whom we write, literally, as co-authors or with people who we hold in mind as we write? Questions like these were in our minds in the editorial team when we invited people to contribute to this special issue on Creative Writing by and for Systemic Practitioners.

This paper reflects the complexity of working therapeutically in times of social, political and economic crisis. I present a story based on an incident in a session with a client in my private practice in Greece. As a systemic therapist I am particularly interested in the therapeutic relationship and as a doctoral researcher my inquiry focuses on exploring the relational space in the conversation that emerges between therapist and client, as well as within the therapist. As a practitioner researcher, I use autoethnographic writing as reflexive practice, as well as a form of research. The story presented is not only a story about me; it is a story about how therapists use their many selves, as well as the importance of self-reflexivity, relational reflexivity and transparency in our work. My aim is to break the silence and encourage practitioners to extend their thinking and talk about the things that we don't normally talk about in our profession. I present ideas about how therapists can navigate complex therapeutic encounters within a systemic framework. In this way, I hope the readers will make their own reflections alongside my own.

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The theme for this important special edition has been in our thoughts for some time. We 'knew' (from previous contributions to the journal and our own experiences) that there were stories that needed to be told, written, shared and witnessed in relation to therapists' health and how this intersects with practice-the tensions, dilemmas and ethical considerations that require careful and thorough negotiation. All this at times when we are least likely to be feeling at our most robust and energised. Whilst we had a strong "hunch" that there were stories to be heard that would speak to this, we were perhaps surprised how many important, perhaps urgent, stories needed to be told.Reading the contributions to the special issue, we have felt privileged that the authors have shared, with generosity and sensitivity, their personal stories to Murmurations: Journal of Transformative Systemic Practice, and we thank the contributors for their courage, care and concern.