Integrating self and system: an empty intersection?
Synthesizing individual and family therapies can founder if the underlying epistemological assumptions concerning "what is self" are not taken into account. Most individual therapies assume self "really" exists as a relatively stable internal entity, the repository of residues of experience where traits, memories, et cetera are organized via internal schemas. Such a view tends to treat self as a thing, and implies that psychological problems are the result of internal deficits or conflicts; this can lead to difficulties in therapy. In contrast, ecosystemic views employ constructivist and contextualist approaches that are more fluid. However, by basing autopoetic self-organization in language, ecosystemic epistemology still separates subject from object. Adopting a perspective in which self has no fixed, distinguishing characteristics can resolve many difficulties and create a dimensionless point where self and system, individual and family, therapist and client can meet without hindrance.
Rosenbaum
R
R
Psychiatry Department, Kaiser-Permanente, Hayward CA 94545, USA.
Dyckman
J
J
D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D012647:Self-Assessment