The Perspectives of Systemic Therapists on Using their Relational Skills to Work with Friends: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

This research examines systemic therapists' perspectives on using relational skills to work with friends in therapeutic settings. The main objective was to explore how systemic practitioners perceive and approach the concept of 'friend therapy.' The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with seventeen systemic practitioners and utilised reflexive thematic analysis to identify five key themes. The study suggests that friend therapy was a novel topic for systemic practitioners, with most participants having not considered it before the interview. Reactions to the concept varied and were potentially influenced by participants' professional and personal experiences, identities, and cultural contexts. Where participants expressed values for family over friends, they also reflexively considered whether they were drawing on socially and institutionally reproduced norms. Therefore, the study suggests systemic therapists could engage with the concept of 'friend therapy,' grappling with the complexities of taken-for-granted knowledge and considering its potential use when invited. The study also highlights systemic therapists' awareness of potentially evolving relationships in contemporary society. Participants mentioned factors such as economic crises, globalisation, and changing marriage norms as potential influencers on societal dynamics that may elevate the importance of friends. They suggested that the increased significance of friendship could be particularly relevant for communities disconnected from their family of origin, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, migrants, or individuals with care experience, where friendships may serve as surrogate families. Furthermore, participants proposed that if friendships become more central, they might involve complex dynamics that could benefit from therapeutic intervention. The study's conclusions have clinical implications for where friend therapy might be relevant, training implications for systemic practice training institutes, and ideological implications regarding the focus on 'family' in systemic practice.