Towards a systemic-dialogical model of therapy

Abstract

Bakhtin-inspired ideas that led to the emergence of dialogic therapies are usually considered as incompatible with other, more traditional models. This article presents a possible integration of dialogical ideas, with their acceptance of uncertainty and disorder, within a systemic understanding, where the emergence of systemic patterns is recognised. Through a comparison with the open dialogue approach, the article aims at clarifying the difference between a pure dialogical and a systemic-dialogical perspective, that is seen as more fitting with the contextual complexity of the world of today. The model of practice is illustrated by a case supervision example.