Finding one's place: emotions and positioning in systemic‐dialogical therapy

Abstract

Several psychotherapy and family therapy models emphasise work on emotions, both as emotional awareness and transference analysis. Systemic therapy has developed in time a peculiar emphasis on the therapist's position, and on therapists’ and clients’ reciprocal positioning. In the present article we propose to integrate the dimensions of emotions and positioning through a concept we define as ‘finding one's place’. Finding one's place can be considered as a universal positioning activity of anybody involved in any human interaction, involving different domains: macro‐context, group, mutual relationships, internal dialogue. It entails an integration of these domains through an increased awareness of one's position inside relevant systems, and emotional interaction. Practitioner points Clinicians usually consider positioning and emotions as separate domains for evaluation and intervention The integration of the two domains allows a deeper, three‐dimensional view of therapeutic events inside and outside therapeutic sessions Through the activity of finding her place, the therapist may reach a better understanding of dilemmas and problems in her clients’ relational lives The therapist may also gain a better orientation for her clinical work

Positional responsibility in systemic‐dialogical therapy

“…Despite sharing with them characteristics such as hypothetical knowledge, uncertainty, acceptance of clients’ viewpoints and dialogical attitudes, it is characterised by its emphasis on the analysis of therapists’ and clients’ emotions, and the awareness of both the clients’ and the therapists’ position in systems and contexts. This overall process, particular to the model, is defined as “finding one’s place” (Lini & Bertrando, 2020, p. 204). When we realised the extent of the connections between responsibility and social changes, we felt that, by addressing this issue, we could make our therapy both more effective and a better fit to the present cultural climate.…”

“…As the session unfolds, the therapist tries to help Diana move from a passively accepting position toward finding her place (Lini & Bertrando, 2020). Finding one’s place means to get to a balance between emotional and cognitive levels; that is, to shift from a mere acknowledgment of one’s emotions to a positional awareness of them.…”

“…In this way, we identify a part with the whole (Lini & Bertrando, 2020): "Victims are victims because they are helpless" (Giglioli, 2014, p. 89). As victims, we can only be victimised or saved by somebody else, thus assuming a wholly passive role.…”

“…What is the meaning of work for her, what is the meaning of care, why care (of her family) is so important, and what are her role models within and beyond the family? 4.1.3 | Finding one's place As the session unfolds, the therapist tries to help Diana move from a passively accepting position toward finding her place (Lini & Bertrando, 2020). Finding one's place means to get to a balance between emotional and cognitive levels; that is, to shift from a mere acknowledgment of one's emotions to a positional awareness of them.…”

Towards a systemic-dialogical model of therapy

“…If we can dialogue with the situation, we can find our own place in it, regarding our premises, feelings, expectations and also understand its evolution in time. If we find our place in the system, we can foresee its possible evolution, and imagine, within its limits, our possible answers (Lini and Bertrando, 2020).…”