"It's a relationship just like any other relationship” - Systemic therapists' perspectives on Friend Therapy"

Many people place friendships at the centre of their lives, yet systemic therapists often focus exclusively on familial and romantic relationships. In this study, we explored how systemic therapists understand and approach working relationally with friends in therapy. We interviewed seventeen UK-based systemic practitioners and analysed the data using reflexive thematic analysis. Although most participants were unfamiliar with friend therapy, they expressed curiosity, ambivalence, and thoughtful reflection on their personal and professional values. Participants recognised that practitioners could apply systemic skills to friendships, especially given social and cultural shifts that elevate the role of friends. At the same time, they identified barriers, including institutional norms, a lack of evidence, and concerns about applying therapeutic frameworks to these relationships. Our findings suggest that systemic therapists may be well-placed to work therapeutically with friends, but doing so could require shifts in training, tools, and ideology. Friend therapy challenges the field to reconsider which relationships deserve therapeutic attention.