Family Therapy in Poland: Development and Current Perspectives

Abstract

The authors of the present article describe the historical context of family therapy in Poland and current issues in the field. They highlight the fact that Polish therapists first began to develop the field after coming into contact with family therapy leaders from the United States and Western Europe. With the political breakthrough of 1989, there were new opportunities for multilateral cooperation, attendance at international conferences, and the exchange of experiences. Currently, the work of Polish family therapists, the place of family therapy among other forms of psychotherapy, and the related problems and challenges do not differ from other European nations.

Problem internet use among children and adolescents from the general practitioner’s perspective

“…Jak się wydaje, wciąż brakuje świadomości społecznej, że pewne niepokojące zachowania dziecka mogą ustąpić po zastosowaniu interwencji psychoterapeutycznej [45]. W każdym zespole psychopatologicznym wieku młodzieńczego, takim jak zaburzenia odżywiania się, zespoły depresyjne, zachowania opozycyjno-buntownicze, nadmierne zaangażowanie w internet czy w gry hazardowe, używanie substancji psychoaktywnych, jednym z głównych zaleceń diagnozującego lekarza psychiatry jest skorzystanie z konsultacji psychoterapeuty rodzinnego [46]. To rodzaj terapii, gdzie obiektem zainteresowania przestaje być wyłącznie "wydelegowany" do ujawniania cierpienia młody człowiek, ale stają się nim wszystkie osoby w rodzinie i ich wzajemne relacje.…”

“…It seems that there is still a lack of social awareness that certain disturbing behaviours by the child may subside after the application of psychotherapeutic intervention [45]. In any adolescent psychopathological syndrome like eating disorders, depressive syndromes, oppositional defiant behaviour, excessive involvement in the internet or gambling and psychoactive substances use, one of the main diagnosing psychiatrist's recommendations is to consult with family psychotherapist [46]. It is a kind of therapy where the object of interest ceases to be exclusively "delegated" to reveal the suffering of an individual young person but includes the whole family and their mutual communication.…”

Thematic review of family therapy journals in 2013

“…), the Czech Republic (Skorunka and Hajná, ), Romania (Kónya and Kónya, ), Poland (Jozefik et al . ), Australia (Moloney, ), South America (Herscovici et al . ), Canada (McLuckie et al .…”

“…There was a special issue of Contemporary Family Therapy on international developments, with articles tracing the growth of family therapy in Europe (Borcsa et al 2013), the UK , Ireland (Carr, 2013), Germany (Retzlaff, 2013), Greece (Tseliou, 2013b), Turkey (Arduman, 2013), Italy (Manfrida et al 2013), Norway (Jensen, 2013), Portugal (Relvas et al 2013), the Czech Republic (Skorunka and Hajná, 2013), Romania (Kónya and Kónya, 2013), Poland (Jozefik et al 2013), Australia (Moloney, 2013), South America (Herscovici et al 2013), Canada (McLuckie et al 2013, Taiwan (Chao and Huang, 2013), South Korea (Lee et al 2013), Hong Kong (Wong and Ma, 2013) and China (Deng et al 2013). This special issue of Contemporary Family Therapy highlights the international scope of the family therapy movement.…”

Researching what we practice—The paradigm of systemic family research: Part 2

“…Observation of this updated iteration of the paradigm would enable the application of relevant systemic research methods that coincide with the goals of a multitude of organizations that promote the interest of systemic therapy around the world (e.g., International Family Therapy Organization [IFTA], American Family Therapy Association [AAFT], European Family Therapy Association [EFTA]) (Lyness, 2020; Northey, 2009). All family therapy organizations share a commitment that emphasizes scientific and rigorous training standards, and in some countries, the job of the family therapist is an established profession, while in others efforts are ongoing to obtain recognition and statutory licensing (Borcsa et al, 2013; Józefik et al, 2013; Lee et al, 2013; Moloney, 2013; Northey, 2009; Relvas et al, 2013; Wagenaar & Baars, 2012; Welter‐Enderlin, 2005). EFTA formulates these as efforts “to achieve recognition for family and systemic therapy as a distinct, scientifically‐based form of psychotherapy practice and to ensure rigorous standards of training and professional practice throughout Europe” (EFTA Training Standards, Section 2.1).…”