Reviewing the Social GRACES: What Do They Add and Limit in Systemic Thinking and Practice?

Abstract

The Social Graces framework is increasingly used within training institutions, as a means of encouraging learners to critically explore issues of social difference. Attending to issues of power and diversity is believed to help trainee family therapists become more alert to any biases that may impact on therapy. This review paper draws on the developing literature to examine what the social graces add and limit in systemic thinking and practice. It also considers an alternative approach for exploring power and difference in family therapy practice.

Keywords:

• Social graces
• intersectionality
• systemic practice
• trainee therapist

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 At the time of writing, GRRAACCES comprised Gender, Race, Religion, Age, Abilities, Culture, Class, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation.