Systems Centered Therapy

Systems-Centered Therapy (SCT) is a particular form of group therapy based on the Theory of Living Human Systems developed by Dr. Yvonne Agazarian. The theory postulates that living human systems survive, develop, and transform from simple to complex through discriminating and integrating information. Corresponding to the small and rigorously defined set of concepts, SCT defines a set of methods, techniques and instruments. SCT pracititioners use these with individuals, couples and groups to explore the experience of their differences and work with these to integrate them. Using the method of functional subgrouping, these living human systems increase their ability to see both sides of their issues and resolve them productively. The theory is developed in [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1855753359 "Systems-Centered Therapy for Groups"] , which was published in 1997.

Systems-centered theory explains how living human systems contain their energy within functional boundaries and direct it towards their goals: the primary goals of survival and development and the secondary goals of environmental mastery. In SCT training groups, all members work in functional subgroups rather than work alone. Subgroups work both sides of every issue in the group-as-a-whole. This practice strengthens both the therapeutic capacity of the training group and allows individual members to choose which side of the conflict has therapeutic salience for their own personal work.

See also

Agazarian, Y.M. & Gantt, S.P. (2005). The systems perspective. In S. Wheelan (Ed.), Handbook of group research and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

External links

* [http://www.systemscentered.com/index.asp?page=/ Systems-Centered Training Homepage]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1855753359 "Systems-Centered Therapy for Groups" (New Ed Edition October 2004; originally published 1997)]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1853028479 "Autobiography of a Theory: Developing the Theory of Living Human Systems and Its Systems-Centered Practice" (August 2000)]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/1853029173 "A Systems-Centered Approach to Inpatient Group Psychotherapy" (March 2001)]