Systemic Therapy as Transformative Practice

A family therapy textbook for our time. This substantial collection of 27 chapters from leading international family therapists showcases groundbreaking practice. It situates systemic practice in shifting local and global politics. The professions of psychotherapy, psychology face unprecedented economic and social instability worldwide. Writer address the creative intersections of systemic, social constructionist, narrative, dialogical, appreciative, constructivist and collaborative theories to offer systemic therapists and community-based practitioners hope, confidence, and ways of going forward ethically and creatively in the daily practice.


"This book is a landmark in the field of systemic theory and practice. It shows how practices based on systems theory and social constructionism can transform lives in a world recovering from an economic and social crisis. Scholarly, but also immensely practical and a ‘must-read’ for all family therapists."
Alan Carr, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin


"This timely book illuminates the crucial contribution of systemic ideas to creative therapy, organisational work, training and research and it is particularly welcome at a time when we face increasing inequalities and constraints on our freedoms. Systemic thinking has always had the capacity to be revolutionary and I am confident this book will inspire with its range of creative and emancipatory ideas and practices."
Charlotte Burck, PhD. Honorary Systemic Psychotherapist, Tavistock Clinic, London


"The transformative qualities of systemic therapy to matters of human distress are abundantly displayed in this fresh exposition systemic therapy and its refined application. The humanity of each author shines through in their ability to combine rigorous thinking with imaginative co-creative practice."
Jim Wilson, Systemic Psychotherapist & former Chair, The Family Institute, Cardiff


"In an increasing neo-liberal word where the emphasis is on individualistic models of practice and economic discourses of human support, this volume offers an impressive collection of European and North American systemic practitioners that critically, creatively and competently show how systemic ideas are transformative. An invaluable resource for students, scholars and practitioners!"
Ottar Ness, Professor Mental Health, University Southeast Norway & Taos Associate


"The ecological view, the Batesonian legacy to the field, aligned with the politics and philosophy of subjective experience is the common thread connecting the chapters. Grassroots activism as a sister movement gives energy and conviction to the practices described, where communities are honoured in their need, resilience and entitlement."
Dr Nollaig Byrne, Co-Founder of Family Therapy Training Programme, Dublin


Forward by Dr Monica McGoldrick.


Contributors:

Jane Dutton
Fany (Fotini) Triantafillou
Dimitra Pouliopoulou
Elektra Bethymouti
Efrossini Moureli
Taiwo Afuape
Hugh Palmer
Christopher J. Kinman
Lucia De Haene
Peter Rober
Andrea Davolo
Laura Fruggeri
Vikki Reynolds
Andrew Larcombe
Therese Hegarty
Eleftheria Tseliou
Georgios Abakoumkin
Vicky Kokkini
Katerina Nanouri
Fani Valai
Gail Simon
Nora Bateson
Umberta Telfener
Ged Smith
Justine Van Lawick
Catherine Richardson/Kinewesquao
Marie Keenan
Ernst Salamon
Imelda McCarthy
Gill Goodwillie
Francesca Balestra
Ann-Margreth E. Olsson
Padraic Gibson
Don Boardman
Valeria Ugazio
Marcelo Pakman
Desa Markovic
Mia Andersson

Gail Simon, DProf leads the Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice at the University of Bedfordshire and is a systemic psychotherapist, organisational consultant and researcher. She is Editor of Murmurations: Journal of Transformative Systemic Practice. Her practice base is The Pink Practice.

Imelda McCarthy, PhD has a practice in Dublin for practitioners and leaders developing awareness of community and personal growth. She is co-founder of The Fifth Province movement which inspires ethical reflexivity about practices of power at all levels of the socio-political world