Engaging people with intellectual disabilities in systemic therapy

Abstract

This chapter describes how have engaged people with intellectual disabilities in a systemic therapeutic process. It highlights some of the ways by which a person with intellectual disabilities might be engaged in a systemic therapeutic process. The chapter shows that systemic practitioners who are unfamiliar with this client group might give consideration to extending their practice to also work with people with intellectual disabilities. Genograms are part of the more general process of family assessment and involve mapping family structure, recording family information, and delineating family relationships. Working collaboratively is at the heart of many of the principles that guide policies in the intellectual disabilities field, such as inclusion, empowerment, engagement, and person-centred practice. The use of metaphors can be particularly helpful in facilitating conversations with people with intellectual disabilities. The chapter concludes with a detailed example of our work with someone with significant intellectual and communication disabilities.