Systems-Centered Therapy (SCT) is an innovative approach to psychotherapy that synthesizes a finely-tuned awareness of the defensive roles of anxiety and depression, with an analysis of the phases of group development. This volume introduces the author's theory of living human systems and explicitly maps out its use in a structured treatment model applicable to work with any population. In rich conceptual detail, the volume presents SCT as a powerful modality that enables clients to safely "sit on the edge of the unknown" and transform their ways of relating to themselves and each other. It will be received with interest by all practitioners and trainees in group and individual psychotherapy.

This illustrated book shows how "thinking" systems offer new ways of seeing people which can help us see and do things differently. The authors describe how a theory of living human systems was developed and even recently revised. This major revision led to a theory of the person-as-a-system and its role-systems map that helps us see which system in us and in others is running the show. The authors illustrate how life force energy fuels the hierarchy of living human systems and how theory and practice with role-systems can be useful in everyday life. They begin with describing how they have used the new illustrations as a map to locate the contexts of our roles. Using this map has also enabled the authors to identify the role-systems and explore the territory of ourselves and our groups in new ways that deepened our understanding of roles and role locks. This book illustrates systems-centered therapy and training (SCT) theory by offering a practical theory to guide group psychotherapists, leaders and consultants in working with group dynamics.

Annotation "In this book Yvonne Agazarian traces the evolution of her ideas and their application to create a meta-theory, the theory of living human systems. Autobiography of a Theory follows Agazarian as she thinks her way through different stages, creating a theoretical background for SAVI (System for Analyzing Verbal Interaction), which she developed with Anita Simon, developing a theory of the Invisible Group for the book she wrote with Richard Peters and expanding on existing group dynamics theories."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Understanding the psychodynamics of groups has derived from the two separate strands of theory and practice, resulting in two separate disciplines: group psychotherapy and group dynamics. Present-day group psychotherapy derives mainly from psychoanalytic theory and Bion's early experiences with wartime groups, and has been developed from the work of clinicians who practice group psychotherapy as a form of treatment. Group dynamics theory and practice, on the other hand, have arisen largely from the work of social scientists like Kurt Lewin, have been researched in the field and in the laboratory, and have been applied to groups as arenas for leadership training and behavioral change. The Visible and Invisible Group synthesizes these psychoanalytic and group approaches to group life and offers practical guidelines to the group psychotherapist. The authors advocate the simultaneous use of two perspectives: the psychoanalytic perspective for observing the "visible" group of people and their interactions, and a General Systems "Field Theory" perspective for observing the "invisible" group-as-a-whole.

Systems-centered therapy (SCT) brings an innovative approach to clinical practice. Developed by Yvonne Agazarian, SCT introduces a theory and set of methods that put systems ideas into practice. The collection of articles in this book illustrates the array of clinical applications in which SCT is now used. Each chapter introduces particular applications of SCT theory or methods with specific examples from practice that help the theory and methods come alive for the reader across a variety of clinical contexts. This book will be especially useful for therapists and clinical practitioners interested in sampling SCT, for those who learn best with clinical examples, and for anyone with a serious interest in learning the systems-centered approach.

Present-Centered Group Therapy for PTSD integrates theory, research, and practical perspectives on the manifestations of trauma, to provide an accessible, evidence-informed group treatment that validates survivors’ experiences while restoring present-day focus. An alternative to exposure-based therapies, present-centered group therapy provides practitioners with a highly implementable modality through which survivors of trauma can begin to reclaim and invest in their ongoing lives. Chapters describe the treatment’s background, utility, relevant research, implementation, applications, and implications. Special attention is given to the intersection of group treatment and PTSD symptoms, including the advantages and challenges of group treatment for traumatized populations, and the importance of member-driven processes and solutions in trauma recovery. Compatible with a broad range of theoretical orientations, this book offers clinicians, supervisors, mentors, and students a way to expand their clinical repertoire for effectively and flexibly addressing the impact of psychological trauma.

Interactive Group Therapy is a complete guide to group psychotherapy based on the author's unique integrated approach. Dr. Earley integrates from interpersonal group therapy a focus on the feeling reactions and relationships among group members, from psychodynamic approaches, an appreciation of unconscious processes and childhood origins, and from Gestalt therapy, the importance of awareness, contact, and experimentation. The book develops an action-oriented leadership style for group-centered groups and a new interpersonal understanding of the therapeutic change process in group therapy, leading to an approach that has impressive depth and creativity. It covers both short-term and long-term groups, making it a valuable book for those interested in brief therapies. The primary focus of Interactive Group Therapy is to provide practical guidelines for leading groups. It offers detailed suggestions for structuring groups, creating a therapeutic group climate, promoting interpersonal work, and helping group members develop awareness and responsibility. It discusses how to handle conflict, foster therapeutic change, work with difficult clients, adopt the best leadership attitude, understand group process, and a host of other clinical issues. In addition to rich clinical examples and case histories, this book also presents transcripts of group sessions, annotated to illustrate both theory and technique. The author's thorough presentation of his approach, its theoretical underpinnings, and its application to actual groups make this a valuable resource for graduate students in the mental health professions and psychotherapists of all levels of experience.