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Systemic thinking
Orientation to Counseling Professional Identity (Liberty
University)
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Systemic Thinking
Marriage and Family Therapy, Liberty University
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Introduction
For marriage and family therapists, systemic theory/thinking is essential to use and
understand. It is essential for therapists to acknowledge how multiple individuals interplay and
how they may be affected by one another. It is used to look past the individual itself and more to
how the individual’s outside society plays a role in the decisions and issues within their life.
Systemic Theory
“Systemic thinking is grounding purpose through shared distinctions and transforming
these distinctions into interactive patterns enhancing people's actions, making their action more
effective” (Espejo, 1994, p. 210). Systemic thinking consists of how an individual's surroundings
and environment play a role in the issues they have. Everything is interconnected within each
other. The family is a system, and within the systemic approach, we are looking more at the
organization of the family, rather than focusing primarily on the individual. Systemic theory may
also look at trying to fix the system such as outside organizations, rather than fixing a specific
individual. “In order to think systemically, we also need to pay attention to the systems in which
we operate” (Espejo, 1994, p. 210).
These systems are characterized by feedback loops. Feedback loops give feedback from
the output to the input to improve the functioning of the system and to secure the practicability.
This feedback can be both positive and negative and they transpire in families continuously.
Ecomaps are also used to help see a diagram of a family and its connection to the system.
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Culture Application
Systemic thinking can work with diverse populations. Because systemic thinking looks at
the system, it can work with any culture. Cultures are all different and there are many people that
are of different races, ethnicities, economic status, and gender. Systemic theory looks at all these
different factors and how they play a role in an individual's life. “Systemic thinking works
because it mobilizes diverse stakeholders to take actions that increase the effectiveness of the
whole system over time instead of meeting their immediate self-interests" (Stroh, 2015, p. 1).
Systemic thinking clinicians can look at these different cultures and see how each of these
cultures are different and how they are in society.
Christian Worldview
In relation to systemic thinking and biblical concepts, there are many bible verses that
relate to systemic thinking. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 says,
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal
concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is
honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you
is a part of it (Bible Gateway).
This relates to Systemic thinking because both are not looking at an individual but rather the
society within it. The things and people around us affect us every day and God is not just
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looking at us but what we do for others and the role that we play with society. We all play a part
in this system. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or
slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. For in fact the body is not a single
member, but many” (1 Corinthians 12:13-14). This verse also is compatible with systemic
thinking because it states that it does not matter what we are, but we are all together as one rather
than just one singular member.
Conclusion
Systemic theory/thinking is essential to use for clinicians. There are core components of
systemic theory to be aware of. With Systemic Theory everything is interconnected. It is
important for clinicians to be aware of all the relevant factors in an individual's life. Families are
interconnected and with systemic thinking, it gives the opportunity to look at how relationships
and the family function to best be able to resolve issues and emerge new solutions.
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References
Stroh, D. P. (2015). Systems thinking for social change: A practical guide to solving complex
problems, avoiding unintended consequences, and achieving lasting results. Chelsea Green
Publishing.
Espejo, R. (1994). What is systemic thinking? System Dynamics Review, 10(2-3), 199–212.
Bible gateway passage: 1 Corinthians 12:27 - new international version. Bible Gateway.
