The last decade of the twentieth century saw a growing awareness of environmental issues and concern about prospects for the continuance of life on our planet. Evidence is strong that the planet's ability to continue sustaining life is under threat. Despite this and despite the urgency of time constraints, the human species, in its vast range of occupations and careers, has scarcely lifted a finger to address the crisis. Therapists are no different. This article considers the dangerous predicaments we face, explores what restrains therapists, and looks to some possible avenues for influence.
Over the past fifty years systems theory has had a significant influence on numerous disciplines. Ecology and some models of therapy have integrated these systemic ideas, thereby opening up new meanings and new ways of responding respectively to environmental concerns and to emotional distress. Parallels can be drawn between how the two disciplines have developed systemic ideas and applied them for the purpose of change, and each has a contribution to make to the other. Systemic therapy has developed tools of inquiry that can assist in raising awareness of environmental issues. Ecology, in its turn, challenges therapy to include an ecological context in its understanding of the human condition.
If we do not sometimes look back over our shoulders to remind ourselves of the ANZJFT's past achievements, we may forget, and newcomers may never be stimulated to explore earlier contributions for themselves. For this reason, six subscribers were asked to write five hundred words in answer to the question 'Over the time you have been reading the Journal, what article sticks in your memory the most?' The one restriction that was placed upon their choice was that if they found themselves unable to choose between two articles, they were to discuss the older of the two, to help assure a wider spread.
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