Synergetic process design in systemic psychotherapy – a quantitative self-observation

Abstract

This quantitative introspective study addresses synergetic process design in systemic psychotherapy using synergetic generic principles. From the synergetic point of view psychotherapy is defined as the dynamic, adaptive creation of conditions for self-organized cognitive, emotional and behavioural pattern changes in the client's bio-psycho-social system. The therapist's task is therefore to co-create with their clients the conditions for self-organized and self-organizing therapeutic changes. These conditions are enhanced by the use of synergetic generic principles.

The research questions in the presented study are how generic principles influence the therapy process in terms of frequency of occurrence, joint occurrence, their pattern of appearance in the course of therapy and what are the consequences for evidence-based practice. All three research hypotheses were confirmed that in the course of therapy generic principles: (i) occur in different frequencies; (ii) some occur together more often and some rarely; (iii) occur in specific patterns. From this, insights for effective practice and considerations on the importance of the observer position of the therapist were derived.