"Systems theory is an interdisciplinary study of systems as they relate to one another within a larger, more complex system. The key concept of systems theory, regardless of which discipline it’s being applied to, is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Its important to holistically examine how smaller systems come together to affect the greater complex system, certain characteristics of the whole—the complex system—can not be easily explained or rationalized when looking singularly at any one of its systems—its parts."
It's easy to explain to clients that they are one of the parts that makes up the way their life is functioning like a cars parts makes up the entire car.
A way to create a visual of this is to have the client draw a circle in the middle of the page and label it "me." Then each "part" of their life can be placed in relation to them in another circle. Each circle then can be connected to each other by lines. In the example provided, zig zag lines that are red represent a negative relationship and the straight lines represent a positive relationship (yellow is good and orange is okay). Each circle needs to be connected to the client, however, they can be connected to other circles as well.
It's worth noting to pay attention to the proximity of the circles as well as the lines connecting the circles.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask :)
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