How to Coach Yourself and Others Coaching Families | Page 202

2.8 Power
The therapist should take a reflexive stance in relation to the power differentials that exist within the
therapeutic relationship, and within the family relationships.
2.9 Co-constructed therapy
In therapeutic interactions reality is co-constructed between the therapist (and team) and the people with
whom they meet. They form part of the same system, and share responsibility for change and the process of
therapy. Particular attention should thus be paid to the contributions that all members of the therapeutic
system make in the process of change.
2.10 Self-Reflexivity
The therapist should aim to apply systemic thinking to themselves and thus reject any thinking about
families and their processes that does not also apply to therapists and therapy. Self-reflexivity focuses
especially on the effect of the therapy process on the therapist and the way that this is a source of (resource
for) change in the family. In order to use self-reflexivity it will be necessary for the therapist to be alert to
their own constructions, functioning and prejudices so that they can use their self effectively with the
family.
2.11 Strengths and Solutions
The therapist should take a non-pathologising, positive view of the family system, and the current
difficulties they are struggling with. A family system that enters the therapeutic system should be
considered as a system that owns a wealth of strengths and solutions in the face of difficult situations. It is
important for the therapist to recognise that there is a multi-versa of possibilities available for each family in
the process of change, and the family themselves will be in the best position to generate suitable solutions.
The therapist can facilitate this process by attending to the strengths and solutions in the stories that the
family system brings to therapy.

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