Name of Concept
Ecosystem in Family Systems Theory
Synonyms
Context/contextual; Human ecology; Systems/systemic
Introduction
In family systems therapy, ecosystems are broadly defined as interconnected contextual* variables and patterns of functioning. Ecosystems can be a place, culture, or norm that influences clients (e.g., social locations, boundaries, rules, etc.). Considering the ecosystem in therapy changes the perspective from treating individuals and their symptoms to conceptualizing clients and their presenting problems as the interactions of relationships, environments, and larger systems* in symbiotic processes.
Theoretical Context for Concept
Although Eastern spiritualities, African traditions, and Indigenous cultures have long considered interconnections and collectivist ways of relating, it was not until the 1950s that Western mental health professionals used an ecosystemic approach to inform family treatment. Multiple ecological perspectives were delineated, an antithesis...
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Eppler, C. (2019). Ecosystem in Family Systems Theory. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_260
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_260
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