Systemic Thinking in a Linear World: Issues in the Application of Interactional Counseling

Abstract

Counseling practitioners are increasingly being exposed to the theoretical ideas and clinical techniques based in systems thinking. Systemic or interactional counseling approaches are based on an alternative view of causality and symptomatic behavior. As a result, several treatment, ethical, and legal challenges await the counselor who attempts to implement these theoretical ideas. Because of these potential problems, practitioners interested in such approaches must recognize and be prepared to deal with the unique diffculties that accompany this method of counseling. Using spouse abuse as an example, the author reviews the basic components of systemic approaches, identifies the potential problems inherent in their implementation, and offers solutions for the interactional counselor.

Group Chaos Theory: A Metaphor and Model for Group Work

“…Bowen (1978), Satir (1982), and Minuchin and Fishman (1981), for example, have addressed various person and situation variables that affect each other in an ongoing, circular (multidirectional or reciprocal) causality fashion, with such variables acting as both cause and effect. In short, nonlinear dynamics as well as systems theories are becoming important aspects and methods of counseling and group practice (see Sexton, 1994). Increasing attention also is being given to move beyond traditional, organismic theories of counseling and therapy to incorporate other theoretical frameworks, such as constructivistic, interactionist, sociological contextualism, and chaos models (Brabender, 2000;Hoskins & Leseho, 1996;Wilbur et al, 1995a;Wilbur et al, 1995b).…”

“…Thus, traditional models of counseling and group work are based on linear assumptions of causality (see Sexton, 1994;Strong & Claiborn, 1982). Until recently, this Eurocentric and Cartesian tradition and foundation for viewing, quantifying, and measuring the world (as well as group work), with its assumption of linearly related variables, has not come into question.…”

Chaos Theory and Counselor Training

“…Also, during the past decade, there has been a parallel increase in the practice of systems-oriented counseling approaches. In short, nonlinear dynamics as well as systemic or interactional theories are becoming important aspects and methods of counseling practice and counselor education (d. Sexton, 1994). As such, theory, including chaos theory, must be taught as theory, and not as "history"-as suggested by some counselor educators (d. Kottler, 1993).…”

Marriage and Family Counseling

“…The systems approach, seen as the theoretical underpinning of marriage and family counseling and therapy, has extended the paradigm for training counselors who plan to work with couples and families. As a result, systemic theories and techniques are a major component of many counselor education programs (Sexton, 1994). Although systemic thinking and related approaches have been successfully implemented within counselor training programs, transitioning from an individual perspective to a family-systems perspective is viewed as a difficult and complex task (Huber & Carlson, 1994).…”

“…Treatment issues and ethical and legal concerns have surfaced with the development of systems training. In focusing on the use of systems thinking in a linear world, Sexton (1994) pointed to training and practice concerns using spouse abuse as an example.…”