Systems-centered Therapy Research Articles

Editorial:Narrative‐BasedApproaches in Psychological Research and Practice

Editorial:<scp>Narrative‐Based</scp>Approaches in Psychological Research and Practice

Narrative of “Here‐and‐Now”: Cancer Survivors in a Group Psychotherapy Using SCT® (Systems‐Centered Therapy)1,2

AbstractThis study focused on “here‐and‐now” narrative and examined the process of group psychotherapy for cancer survivors using systems‐centered therapy (SCT). In contemporary society, cancer survivors have a vital need for psychological support, and group psychotherapy and peer support are used as part of this need. In most of these interventions, participants are encouraged to speak freely and share their experience of cancer. This generally means speaking about “there‐and‐then” experience. It has been argued that one reason that narrative therapy produces a psychological effect is that the meaning of an experience changes when the experience is spoken about. SCT differs significantly from other group interventions in that it requires participants to talk about their here‐and‐now experience through the format of SCT's “functional subgrouping.” Functional subgrouping requires participants to listen, reflect, and build on similarities in their experience. In this study, we qualitatively examined how participants' experiences unfolded in the SCT group by directly addressing the group process. The study findings revealed that even though the participants did not directly share their cancer experiences in the group, they experienced an inexplicable sense of connectedness that had a positive psychological effect on them. They also experienced deep emotions through talking while using the SCT narrative style. In the process, the effects of the SCT narrative were discussed.

Systems-Centered Theory (SCT) into Group Therapy: Beyond Surviving Ruptures to Repairing and Thriving

ABSTRACT As a theory-based practice, systems-centered therapy (SCT) posits that integrating differences is essential for development and transformation. Ruptures over differences that are “too different” are inevitable in groups. Importantly, when ruptures are not repaired, groups fixate in survival. SCT groups use functional subgrouping to develop a secure context for repairing ruptures in the here-and-now and integrating differences. This article presents theory, examples, and transcripts demonstrating how functional subgrouping repairs ruptures and how SCT’s person-as-a-system theory guides its work with ruptures by weakening past survivor roles as they are repeated in the present: enabling ruptures to be repaired within and between the person, group members, leaders, and the whole group, rather than repeating past roles that if not undone inhibit development and lead to ruptures in the present.

Yvonne M. Agazarian (1929–2017).

Presents an obituary for Yvonne M. Agazarian (1929-2017). Agazarian was a brilliant theoretician, clinician, and teacher who devoted her life to the development of a theory of living human systems (TLHS) and its systems-centered therapy and training (SCT). Her work is best known in group psychotherapy because her theory integrated general systems theory and Kurt Lewin's work and created a common language to bridge group dynamics and psychoanalysis. Quite uncommonly, she formulated theoretical constructs and operational definitions that translated her theory into methods and techniques so that every intervention tested the validity of the theory and the reliability of its practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

In Memory of Yvonne Agazarian, 1929–2017

Yvonne Agazarian developed a theory of living human systems and its systems-centered therapy and training (SCT) (Agazarian, 1997). As Anne Alonso wrote on the back cover of Yvonne’s 2006 book (Agaz...

Interprofessional debriefing: A novel synthesis of the 3D model and Systems Centered Therapy

Abstract Interprofessional education (IPE) is emerging as an important mode of health professionals' education. Defined as learners from two or more professions learning with, from, and about each other to improve collaboration and quality of care, IPE integrates understanding of different health care providers' roles and educational cultures with clinical care experiences. Debriefing, or facilitated reflection and discussion of these experiences, can develop learners' critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, potentially establishing a foundation for lifelong learning and effective interprofessional, collaborative practice. This article describes an interprofessional model of debriefing adapted from Zigmont's 3D debriefing model with additional concepts and theory from the System-Centered Therapy framework of Yvonne Agazarian. A description of the model, its application to small group and simulated learning encounters, and faculty evaluation ( n = 26) of the model will be described.

Scapegoating in Group Therapy: Insights from Girard’s Mimetic Theory

ABSTRACTScapegoating in group psychotherapy is a pervasive, complex, and challenging phenomenon for many group leaders. How scapegoating is worked through by the group can have a profound impact on whole-group dynamics and functioning. Although some key aspects of scapegoating have been identified in the psychoanalytic literature, the authors urge group leaders to consider systemic and group-level perspectives in depth. This article draws heavily from Yvonne Agazarian’s Systems-Centered Therapy, which provides a practical foundation for anticipating and preventing scapegoating in group therapy. The authors also explore scapegoating through the framework of René Girard’s Mimetic Theory, which offers a compelling anthropological explanation for why human beings scapegoat as well as a description of how scapegoat dynamics evolve in groups. Insights based on Mimetic Theory are integrated with existing interventions to suggest new ways of working through this critical group phenomenon.

Systems-Centered Functional Subgrouping and Large-Group Outcome

303 1 SCT® and Systems-Centered® are registered trademarks of Dr. Yvonne M. Agazarian and the Systems-Centered Training and Research Institute Inc., a nonprofit organization. The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Emma N. Cleary and Corinne N. Stockmal to the preparation of this manuscript. 2 Professor, Institute for Decision Excellence and Leadership, Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York. Correspondence should be addressed to Richard M. O’Neill, PhD, ABPP, CGP, Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210. E-mail: oneillr@ upstate.edu. 3 Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Penn State University. Large experiential groups are common at association conferences and are presented as positive experiences with positive outcomes. However, empirical investigation of effects is lacking. Systems-Centered therapy (SCT) methods are designed to improve the process and outcome of groups whatever their size. In this project, large-group members (n = 264) were trained to use SCT’s cardinal method of “functional subgrouping” while discussing professional roles. Preto postgroup, members on average reported no change in mood, but members scoring higher on the SCT Functional Subgrouping Questionnaire (FSQ) reported significantly more positive change in mood and greater connection to the association. Also, members with higher FSQ scores reported feeling more heard during the group and greater satisfaction with learning. Suggestions are made for future research that may further substantiate these findings.

Group-as-a-Whole and Complexity Theories: Areas of Convergence. Part II: Application to Group Relations, Group Analysis, and Systems Centered Therapy

Complexity theory is a scientific paradigm concerned with the ways in which order (determinism) and disorder (unpredictability, turbulence, chaos) combine to produce emergent higher levels of organization. The group-as-a-whole is an example of a living system where interactions among individuals, often at ‘the edge of chaos’, lead to group-qua-group dynamics. In Part I (Group Analysis 45(3)), the author considered the respective paradigms underlying group dynamics and complexity. Some basic concepts of complexity theory were discussed, and recent literature on complexity and group psychotherapy were reviewed. In the current article, the author considers the implications of complexity theory for three predominant frameworks for dynamic group psychotherapy and group-as-a-whole theory: Bion’s basic assumptions and the related Tavistock and A.K. Rice Institute group relations approaches; Foulkes’ group analysis, and Agazarian’s systems-centered therapy.

Group-as-a-Whole and Complexity Theories: Areas of Convergence. Part I: Background and Literature Review

Complexity theory is a scientific paradigm concerned with the ways in which order and disorder (unpredictability, turbulence, chaos) combine to produce emergent higher levels of organization in living systems. The group-as-a-whole is an instance where interactions among individuals, often at ‘the edge of chaos’, lead to group-qua-group dynamics. The paradigms underlying group psychology and complexity theory are considered. Group theory developed along the lines of Enlightenment science, with its emphasis on order and linear causation, while complexity theory reflects the newer sciences of quantum physics and chaos theory, which are based on uncertainty and disorder, respectively. Some basic concepts of complexity theory are discussed, and recent literature on complexity theory and group psychotherapy is reviewed, to provide a background for exploring the potential implications of complexity theory for three dominant theoretical frameworks for dynamic group psychotherapy: Bion’s basic assumptions, Foulkes’ group analysis, and Agazarian’s systems-centered therapy. These will be taken up in Part II, to be published in a subsequent edition of Group Analysis.

Does Agazarian’s Systems-Centered® Functional Subgrouping Improve Mood, Learning and Goal Achievement? A Study in Large Groups

Agazarian’s (1997, 2001) systems-centered therapy and training (SCT)1 extends Foulkes’ (1964) concept of inseparable, interacting personal and group matrices to a three-level hierarchical matrix. SCT presents the group member nesting in a subgroup, in turn nesting in the group-as-a-whole. The SCT group member works by joining other members exploring a similar experience in the here-and-now, thus forming a ‘functional subgroup’ of the group-as-a-whole. In this study, two large groups (ns=76 and 91) used functional subgrouping during experiential SCT training. As hypothesized, more functional subgrouping predicts better member mood, more learning, and more goal achievement post-training. To our knowledge this is the first empirical demonstration of factors predicting outcome in large training groups.

Systems-Centered® Group Psychotherapy: Putting Theory into Practice

Systems-centered therapy (SCT) is derived from a theory of living human systems and practiced in individual and group therapy. Excerpts from an inpatient group illustrate how SCT norms, particularly functional subgrouping and the hierarchy of defense modification, are introduced within the first few minutes of an SCT group. The importance of modifying roles is also discussed, as is the significance of system hierarchy, isomorphy, and energy as applied in the practice of SCT.

Systems-Centered � Functional Subgrouping Links the Member to the Group Dynamics and Goals: How-to and a Pilot Study

Systems-Centered Therapy's (SCT) core functional subgrouping method links individual members to group dynamics and goals. It involves members exploring similar goal-related experiences emerging from the group's current phase of development. Hypothetically, along with SCT's defense modification procedures, it generates a more positive member emotional experience and group climate, while increasing the discrimination and integration of goal-related information. This pilot study investigated self-reported functional subgrouping in two SCT experiential training groups. Results show that trainees rate functional subgrouping positively and do significantly more of it over the course of the workshops. Exploratory findings include significantly less anxious and depressive experience (a goal of these groups) associated with more functional subgrouping. Though these results are as predicted and suggest that functional subgrouping may be a useful group method, the authors caution that the research design does not permit cause-and-effect conclusions. Numerous limitations of the study are reviewed, and suggestions for future research are made.

‘Drawing the Isolate into the Group Flow’ – Commentary on Article by Louis R. Ormont from a Systems-Centered Therapy Perspective

Ormont identifies a common group problem in what he calls the ‘isolate’ and discusses his understanding and techniques for enabling such a group member to join the flow of the group. I am pleased to have an opportunity to respond to and build on Ormont’s experience and ideas from a Systems-Centered Therapy (SCT) perspective (Agazarian 1997). We know from previous work that there are many possible responses to any particular group episode (Kennard et al., 1993), and Ormont’s style of presentation with clinical examples provides us with an opportunity to consider other approaches to the situations he describes. Firstly I will outline A Theory of Living Human Systems from which the methods of Systems-Centered Therapy (SCT) are derived. Then I will consider one of the clinical examples given by Ormont to illustrate how an SCT practitioner might think and intervene.

Response to Wright's Review of Systems-Centered Therapy for Groups

(1999). Response to Wright's Review of Systems-Centered Therapy for Groups. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 49, Group Supervision of Group Psychotherapy, pp. 273-275.