Intermediate Course in Systemic Practice
Year 1
(Award available for year: Non Degree)
Learning outcomes
On completion of the programme students will be able to: - Demonstrate an understanding of a range of theories from systemic practice and family therapy including their theory of change and main interventions in current systemic practice- Critically discuss issues of power and difference in all aspects of systemic practice and describe responses to these issues informed by the AFT Code of Ethics and Practice - Articulate the theoretical basis, research and evidence base for systemic practice in their current professional practice - Effectively use supervision and take a reflective and pro-active approach to personal learning- Have a basic understanding of at least one manualised evidence based approach and the principles of its application to practice - Convening systemic practice meetings with individuals, couples, families and other relationship groups including children- Working collaboratively to identify overall goals and the agreed focus for systemic interventions- Developing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance with more than one family member- Conducting a systemic assessment of presenting issues including identification of different perspectives, patterns of responses and meanings held in relation to the problem, the history of the presenting problem in relation to family relationships, family events, external contexts and wider social discourses- Helping clients to identify their own strengths and resources (including problem solving skills) and explore with clients how they may be of use and strengthen them- Developing a broad systemic hypothesis of the presenting problems in relationship to the individual/s or family and their context including their own observer perspective, and reviewing this throughout the work- Using visual presentations of relationships and contexts including family genograms, eco-maps and timelines in systemic practice- Communicate practitioner level systemic theoretical and practice concepts in oral and written formats for client groups across age and abilities and to professionals from systemic and other professional groups- Gaining new perspectives through techniques including questioning, reflection, reframing, externalising and scaling- Tracking and working with behavioural processes and problematic communication patterns within the session- Understanding and managing ethical issues relating to systemic practice with individual/s or families including consideration of the impact of their own personal and professional issues on the work and issues of power and difference- Providing progress reviews using formal measures and in session review- Managing endings effectively including collaborative decision making about timing and reviewing of the work with the individual/s or family
Transferable (key) skills
At the end of the course, students will demonstrate abilities in systemic practice which include:- Convening systemic practice meetings with individuals, couples, families and other relationship groups including children- Working collaboratively to identify overall goals and the agreed focus for systemic interventions- Developing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance with more than one family member- Conducting a systemic assessment of presenting issues including identification of different perspectives, patterns of responses and meanings held in relation to the problem, the history of the presenting problem in relation to family relationships, family events, external contexts and wider social discourses- Helping clients to identify their own strengths and resources (including problem solving skills) and explore with clients how they may be of use and strengthen them- Developing a broad systemic hypothesis of the presenting problems in relationship to the individual/s or family and their context including their own observer perspective, and reviewing this throughout the work- Using visual presentations of relationships and contexts including family genograms, eco-maps and timelines in systemic practice- Communicate practitioner level systemic theoretical and practice concepts in oral and written formats for client groups across age and abilities and to professionals from systemic and other professional groups- Gaining new perspectives through techniques including questioning, reflection, reframing, externalising and scaling- Tracking and working with behavioural processes and problematic communication patterns within the session- Understanding and managing ethical issues relating to systemic practice with individual/s or families including consideration of the impact of their own personal and professional issues on the work and issues of power and difference- Providing progress reviews using formal measures and in session review- Managing endings effectively including collaborative decision making about timing and reviewing of the work with the individual/s or family
Assessment
Each student's progress is monitored through attendance, participation in lectures, and performance within small group tutorials in which formative feedback is provided by their tutor. Progress is also monitored in feedback on written assignments and the learning portfolio, as well as on the student’s progress in recording at least 60 hours of systemic practice during the course period.