Systems-Centered Theory (SCT) into Group Therapy: Beyond Surviving Ruptures to Repairing and Thriving

ABSTRACT

As a theory-based practice, systems-centered therapy (SCT) posits that integrating differences is essential for development and transformation. Ruptures over differences that are “too different” are inevitable in groups. Importantly, when ruptures are not repaired, groups fixate in survival. SCT groups use functional subgrouping to develop a secure context for repairing ruptures in the here-and-now and integrating differences. This article presents theory, examples, and transcripts demonstrating how functional subgrouping repairs ruptures and how SCT’s person-as-a-system theory guides its work with ruptures by weakening past survivor roles as they are repeated in the present: enabling ruptures to be repaired within and between the person, group members, leaders, and the whole group, rather than repeating past roles that if not undone inhibit development and lead to ruptures in the present.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Much appreciation to Kathy Lum, Claudia Byram, and Fran Carter for their invaluable help in reviewing and preparing this article. All figures included in this article are copyrighted by the Systems-Centered Training and Research Institute (SCTRI) and reprinted here with permission of SCTRI. SCT^® and Systems-Centered^® are registered trademarks of the Systems-Centered Training and Research Institute, Inc., a nonprofit organization.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The author provides training in systems-centered therapy and receives fees for this work. The author is also the volunteer Chair of the Systems-Centered Training and Research Institute, which offers a yearly training conference in SCT.

Notes

¹ SCT has drawn heavily from Lewin’s work with the force field (Lewin, 1951) in recognizing that all role-systems will have driving and restraining forces dependent on the goal of the role-system and the context.

² All SCT groups start by centering into one’s body to connect to one’s energy and then coming into the inter-person system of the group in roving eye contact.