Praxical.Psych
Unit 15 of 20

Systemic therapies

Move the unit of analysis from the person to the system.

Chapter 12Beyond the standard syllabus

What you should be able to do afterwards

  • 1Track a problem sequence circularly
  • 2Map structure: boundaries, hierarchy and coalitions
  • 3Use enactment and circular questioning
  • 4Explain when systemic framing is contraindicated and why

The reading

The systemic insight is genuinely powerful and genuinely dangerous. That a symptom serves a function in a system explains why individual treatment so often fails and relapse so often follows. Applied to violence and coercive control, the same framing distributes responsibility for harm across the person being harmed. Both are true and the second is why screening is not optional.

What belongs to this unit

Questions to take away

For a seminar, a supervisor, or an argument with yourself.

  1. 1Who benefits from the current arrangement in a family that presents with a symptomatic child?
  2. 2How do you hold circular causality and accountability for harm at the same time?
  3. 3Group therapy is as effective as individual and much cheaper. Why is it not the default?

Your notes

Saved in this browser only. Export from Progress.
Educational use only

Praxical.Psych is a teaching tool. It is not medical, clinical, psychological or legal advice, not a diagnosis, not treatment, not supervision, and not a credential. Nothing here creates a clinician–patient or solicitor–client relationship. Every patient, case, transcript and simulated session is fictional. Clinical and legal requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time — verify anything that bears on a real decision against your own regulator, statute and current professional guidance, and consult a qualified professional.

Do not enter real patient information. If you or someone else is in crisis: US & Canada 988 · UK & Ireland 116 123 · Australia 13 11 14 · elsewhere findahelpline.com · immediate danger, your local emergency number.

Full disclaimerScope, method & limitsEthics & lawYour data

Praxical.Psych · © 2026 Moonlit Social Labs. All rights reserved.

Before you begin

What Praxical.Psych is, and is not

Praxical.Psych is an educational tool. It teaches the theory, evidence base and clinical method of psychotherapy at the level of an advanced survey course, and it lets you rehearse a complete session in a simulator.

It is not medical, clinical, psychological or legal advice. It cannot diagnose or treat anyone, and it does not state the law where you practise — requirements differ by jurisdiction and change. Nothing here creates a clinician–patient or solicitor–client relationship.

  • Every patient, transcript and case in this app is fictional — a composite written for teaching. None depicts a real person.
  • Praxical.Psych is not therapy, not a substitute for supervision, and not a credential. Competence to practise comes from training, supervised hours and licensure.
  • Scores from the instruments here are for learning how they behave. They are not a diagnosis and not a risk assessment, and must not inform a decision about a real person.
  • Do not enter real patient information. Everything you type stays in this browser, but that is not the same as a compliant clinical record system.
If you are in crisis

In the US and Canada, call or text 988. In the UK and Ireland, call 116 123 (Samaritans). Elsewhere, find a local line at findahelpline.com. In immediate danger, use your local emergency number.

Read the full disclaimer