The use of systemic hypotheses in therapy has been criticized on the ground that it promotes the expert position of the therapist and tends to underplay the role of the client in the therapeutic process. In this article, we propose to view the systemic hypothesis as a collaborative action, involving the dialogue between therapists and clients. This interactive hypothesis is created by the very interaction of all participants in the therapeutic dialogue, and as such it may be considered a dialogue in itself. The article articulates a way of hypothesizing that is consistent with both systemic and dialogic premises, and presents some examples of the process in action.

No abstract

Emotions are connected to meaning making in human interactions. This can be seen not just in terms of the immediate participants and their developmental history but also through broader cultural, social, and gender lenses. In times of relational tension, which require system flexibility, some emotional interaction can constrain alternative actions or meanings being constructed. Therapists can hypothesize about these emotional dances (including those that are taking place in the therapist/client system) and such hypotheses can inform interventions aimed at generating different emotional sequences. If participants in therapy experience alternative emotional responses as a result of therapeutic intervention, then change can occur (e.g., a greater sense of agency or hope, or a different perception of the situation).1 Human systems can be conceived as emotional systems. 2 Within a systemic conceptual frame, every time I am together with another person, a relational system is created, which hasamong othersemotional characteristics. 3 Emotions are both interactive and dialogical phenomena and can be seen as embedded in relationships. 4 One aim of therapy is to give emotions relational sense, through awareness of the systemic nature of the emotions of both therapists and clients. 5 As a consequence of therapy, people will be more able to feel their belonging to complex, interpersonal and intersubjective emotional systems.Recent approaches to emotions show they can be considered as essentially interactive processes from a philosophical ) point of view. Most family therapy practitioners (including systemic ones) today recognize that emotions are relevant to therapeutic change. The ways in which emotions are worked through in the actual practice of therapy, though, widely differ among approaches, and even among therapists within the same approach.In this article, we would like to outline our approach to emotions in therapy, as it has evolved in our systemic practice. Systems and EmotionsBefore describing our approach to therapeutic practice, we want to review some theoretical ideas about systemic theory, therapy, and emotions.

No abstract