Abstract

MELO, Vladimir de Araújo Albuquerque  and  RIBEIRO, Maria Alexina. Systemic epistemologies and their repercussions for family therapy treatment. Pensando fam. [online]. 2016, vol.20, n.2, pp. 149-161. ISSN 1679-494X.

General Systems Theory and Cybernetics, the two principal epistemological theories of Systemic Family Therapy, shared several concepts about systems, though they went on to develop in distinct directions. The conceptions about changes in family were fundamental to think possibilities to work with family system. In this article the authors introduce the main characteristics of each theory, theoretical contributions to each model, and the implications of these systems for family treatment. Beginning with reflections, grounded in the wide-ranging epistemological debate, on the therapist's stance and relationship with the family, we shall discuss the most significant changes of focus in the systemic approach, and the way in which the chief tendencies in Family Therapy are emerging.

Keywords : Epistemology; Cybernetics; General systems theory; Family therapy.

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