Therapy by Anne-Sophie

« We shape the world even as we believe we are merely perceiving it. What we call 'reality'—be it individual, social, or ideological—is an interpretation, constructed by and through communication. A patient, therefore, is trapped within a systematic construction that defines their personal world. Therapy, then, seeks to transform this construction ».

– Paul Watzlavick

Engaging in systemic therapy aims to address a personal issue, often very intimate, in other words, a recurring difficulty that causes suffering. The Palo Alto model refers to a problem when all the efforts we make are not working or no longer work.

Often, we can't find solutions to our problems because we struggle identifying them or we misinterpret what the real issue is.
Therapeutic work does not start from a normative view of what constitutes "a balanced person," "a successful couple," "a normal family," or "good professional practice." Instead, it focuses on what causes suffering or dissatisfaction in the present situation (the here and now).

We sometimes hear people say or echo phrases like "You can never recover from rape, divorce, abandonment, incest, the absence of a father, or the loss of a child..." Today, we can see that such definitive comments reinforce the idea that recovery is impossible. However, it's important to recognize that we can overcome these traumatic experiences, and we have the right to ensure they don’t stop us from making the most of our lives. The keys to resolving the issues created in the past are not buried in that past; they lie in how we currently create memories of it and how we react to those memories today.
In short, we can say that the past remains present if the present reinforces it! It’s by addressing the present that we allow patients to heal from their past. This isn’t just about helping them recognize the impact of their past experiences; it’s about guiding them to find solutions to the challenges those experiences create in their current lives. 

Brief and systemic therapy operates through four key points:

• • With the therapist's guidance, the patient articulates their problem in concrete, present-day terms to clearly identify what is causing difficulties in their life today.
  • The therapist, much like an anthropologist, observes how the problem operates (rather than why it exists), asks questions, and distinguishes facts from interpretations.
  • Together, the solutions that have already been attempted are reviewed and analyzed, and the interactional loops (such as problematic patterns or vicious cycles) are identified. This approach relies on a nuanced understanding of the interactions the person has with themselves, with others, and with the world at large. The therapist intervenes at the level of the regulatory processes that contribute to the persistence of the problems.
  • The goal is collaboratively defined, focusing on the changes the patient and therapist aim to achieve together. Progress is driven by practical, actionable tasks assigned between sessions, empowering the patient to take an active role in their transformation.

During the therapeutic process, and depending on your context and the issue being addressed, other individuals involved in your life system may be invited to participate as part of the solution and contribute to the desired change.