Relationships, Families, Groups

Systems Therapy. The image to the left is a good metaphor for how Systems theory works. Individuals are assumed to be part of a network, or many networks. In the image, if a finger (or hand) represents you, or a friend, partner, family member, or business associate, then whenever the finger moves, it will affect the entire network by some degree. The individual affects the group just as the group affects each individual. To change the experience of any group member requires just a little movement by any other member. You are affected by any (or all) other member(s) as well. There is therapeutic power in this theoretical framework. As an example, Bob always pulls out the chair for Mary at a resturant table. Mary is accustombed to Bob's behavior. She no longer says "thank you" to Bob. Bob would like to hear that again, so he no longer pulls the chair out for Mary. Mary realizes that Bob's gesture was desirable, and decides to start thanking him again. Moral: if we want others to change we change our patterned behaviors. We do not change others as easily if we continue to do things the same way. Be creative. Thanks to http://www.isfa.org/isfa1.htm for their permission to use the 'cat's cradle' string game image above.